Final answer:
The Special Olympics were founded in 1968 by Eunice Kennedy Shriver, not Jerry Lewis. It aims to provide athletic opportunities for individuals with intellectual disabilities and has been a part of the movement towards inclusiveness in sports. The Olympics have long been associated with societal progress, as highlighted by the achievements and statements of historical figures such as Jim Thorpe and Tommie Smith.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Special Olympics was founded in 1968, not by Jerry Lewis, but by Eunice Kennedy Shriver, who was a sister of President John F. Kennedy. The organization was started to provide athletic competition in a variety of sports for children and adults with intellectual disabilities. This movement has not only provided opportunities for athletes to develop physical fitness but has also helped to foster self-confidence and a spirit of community.
The foundation of the Special Olympics was part of a broader shift in societal attitudes towards different abilities and inclusiveness in sports. Athletes like Jim Thorpe, who excelled in multiple sports and won medals in the 1912 Olympic Games, were instrumental in popularizing the idea of sports figures as heroes and inspirations. However, Thorpe's Olympic medals were controversially stripped from him for a period due to his participation in professional sports, although they were later reinstated posthumously.
The spirit of the Olympics, from their modern revival in 1896 to the inclusion of new sports in the 2021 Games, has always been about pushing boundaries, both personal and societal. The Games have also been a platform for athletes to make political statements, such as the iconic 1968 Olympics Black Power salute by Tommie Smith and John Carlos. The Special Olympics continues this tradition of using sports as a means for societal progress.