ABC'S WIDE WORLD OF SPORTS: THE VII INTERNATIONAL SPECIAL OLYMPICS (TV)
Summary
One in this series of sports programs. Hosted by Frank Gifford, Donna de Varona, and Lynn Swann, this program features coverage of the 1987 International Summer Special Olympics. The program begins with an introduction by Becky Dixon before examining the "skill," "courage," "sharing," and "joy" of the Special Olympic participants. The program shows footage from the opening ceremonies in South Bend, Indiana, including some remarks from Eunice Kennedy Shriver, chairman and founder of the games. Gifford discusses the "modest beginnings" of the games in 1968 and the positive affect that the games have had on the view of mental retardation in society. Then, de Varona details the importance of the games to families of the Special Olympics participants. Next, Swann discusses how the games create a sense of self-worth amongst its participants. Coverage shows gymnast Chad Oncale's medal-winning floor exercise performance, as well as Phillip Schmuck's pommel horse routine.
Then, the program discusses the problems that the mentally-handicapped must endure, focusing on several 1968 Special Olympics alumni. Then, de Varona details the accomplishments of a Special Olympics swimmer and Gifford details some team sports and their dedicated coaches. Swann examines one such coach, Keith Brigman, and his California soccer team. Swann discovers what the Special Olympians like to do for fun when they aren't competing, including one such athlete, Gary Vargas, who got to play an entertaining one-on-one game with New York Knickerbocker Patrick Ewing. Later, Swann recaps the Gold Medal soccer match between California and Australia, dominated by the Aussies. Then, Swann examines the camaraderie amongst the games' participants around the Notre Dame campus. Swann reports on legless weightlifter Ronnie Smith, an alternate who eventually captured the silver medal -- and got to arm-wrestle Swann. Next, Gifford discusses the logistics of getting all the athletes to South Bend, leading to an examination by Dick Schaap of fast-walker Tim Sherlock. The Rhode Island resident ends up winning his event, joyfully claiming the gold medal. Tape ends abruptly. Commercials deleted.
Details
- NETWORK: ABC
- DATE: August 15, 1987 4:30 PM
- RUNNING TIME: 1:04:16
- COLOR/B&W: Color
- CATALOG ID: T:16198
- GENRE: Sports
- SUBJECT HEADING: She Made It Collection (Donna de Varona); Special Olympics - 1987; Sports
- SERIES RUN: ABC - TV series, 1961-
- COMMERCIALS: N/A
CREDITS
- Frank Gifford … Host
- de Varona, Donna … Host
- Lynn Swann … Host
- Becky Dixon … Host
- Dick Schaap … Reporter
- Keith Brigman
- Patrick Ewing
- Chad Oncale
- Phillip Schmuck
- Tim Sherlock
- Eunice Kennedy Shriver
- Ronnie Smith
- Gary Vargas