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A runner's Special Olympics race ends with a kiss for his biggest fan—his mom

A runner's Special Olympics race ends with a kiss for his biggest fan—his mom

USA Today4 days ago
An unforgettable moment occurred at the Special Olympics in Albuquerque, New Mexico, when a young runner veered off the track in mid-race to give his mom kiss.
Watch the video above to see the sweet race runners gesture
Spotting his mom, Anet Madrid, cheering, Jaydon ran over, showered her with affection and then resumed the race. Anet was overwhelmed, saying, "There was going to be no stopping him from making that pit stop. I was speechless and was crying and laughing at the same time."
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Today in Chicago History: Special Olympics debuts at Soldier Field
Today in Chicago History: Special Olympics debuts at Soldier Field

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time2 days ago

  • Chicago Tribune

Today in Chicago History: Special Olympics debuts at Soldier Field

Here's a look back at what happened in the Chicago area on July 20, according to the Tribune's archives. Is an important event missing from this date? Email us. Flashback: Apollo 11's voyage to the moon kept Chicagoans spellbound in a time of tumultWeather records (from the National Weather Service, Chicago) 1924: Sybil Bauer, a Chicago native and Northwestern sophomore, won the gold medal in the 100-meter backstroke in the 1924 Paris Olympics. Her time was a world-record 1:23.20 seconds. Vintage Chicago Tribune: Summer Olympians from the area who won goldBauer didn't start competing in events until she was a teenager at Schurz High School. Soon thereafter, however, she became the first great female swimmer of the backstroke. Bauer set 23 world records — holding at one point all existing records for women in backstroke from 50 to 440 yards, according to the International Swimming Hall of Fame — and won six consecutive AAU 100-yard backstroke championships, according to the Olympic Games. Her greatest feat may have taken place in Bermuda on Oct. 8, 1922, when Bauer became the first woman to beat a world record held by a man. She completed a 440-yard backstroke race in 6 minutes, 24 seconds — almost four seconds faster than the old record held by Harold Krueger of Honolulu. She was engaged to Edward Sullivan, then sports editor of the New York Evening Graphic and future television show host, but was stricken with cancer and died in 1927. Bauer was just 23 years old. Also in 1924: Johnny Weissmuller — the Austrian born, Chicago raised future 'Tarzan' actor — won gold at the Paris Olympics in swimming. He won five gold medals in the 1924 and 1928 Olympic Games. 1944: In a speech broadcast to the delegates inside Chicago Stadium from a train car at a naval base on the Pacific Ocean, President Franklin D. Roosevelt accepted the nomination for a fourth term during the Democratic National Convention at Chicago Stadium. Roosevelt was en route to Hawaii to join military brass debating strategies for the Pacific theater during World War II. Vintage Chicago Tribune: Tradition of acceptance speeches at political conventions began in Chicago'You in this convention are aware of what I have sought to gain for the nation, and you have asked me to continue,' FDR said in accepting its nomination. Roosevelt was reelected Nov. 7, 1944, but died April 12, 1945. 1968: About 1,000 children with intellectual disabilities ranging in age from 8 to 18 competed in the first Special Olympics, which took place at Soldier Field. Responding to a written proposal from Chicago Park District employee Anne Burke, a $25,000 check from the Joseph P. Kennedy Jr. Foundation was forwarded here to help start the games, courtesy of the foundation's executive vice president, Eunice Kennedy Shriver. Vintage Chicago Tribune: The first Special Olympics at Soldier Field — 55 years agoThe initial one-day outing included participants from more than 20 states and Canada. Admission was free, but with little publicity and a basic lack of understanding, not many showed up besides friends and relatives of the youngsters. Still, the spirit was the same as if the stadium was packed, and the event was considered a huge success by those in attendance. 1992: Jeff Erickson escaped from the Dirksen U.S. Courthouse. The con man was convicted of robbing a string of Chicago-area banks with his wife, Jill Erickson. Vintage Chicago Tribune: Jailbreak!!!When the Hanover Park duo was caught in 1991, she was mortally wounded in a chase with FBI officers and he was arrested and taken to the Metropolitan Correctional Center. But as he was being led from the Dirksen U.S. Courthouse on July 20, 1992, Erickson uncuffed his hands with a handcuff key, disarmed a guard and fatally shot Deputy U.S. Marshal Roy 'Bill' Frakes and court security Officer Harry Belluomini, a retired Chicago police officer. Subscribe to the free Vintage Chicago Tribune newsletter, join our Chicagoland history Facebook group, stay current with Today in Chicago History and follow us on Instagram for more from Chicago's past.

A runner's Special Olympics race ends with a kiss for his biggest fan—his mom
A runner's Special Olympics race ends with a kiss for his biggest fan—his mom

USA Today

time4 days ago

  • USA Today

A runner's Special Olympics race ends with a kiss for his biggest fan—his mom

An unforgettable moment occurred at the Special Olympics in Albuquerque, New Mexico, when a young runner veered off the track in mid-race to give his mom kiss. Watch the video above to see the sweet race runners gesture Spotting his mom, Anet Madrid, cheering, Jaydon ran over, showered her with affection and then resumed the race. Anet was overwhelmed, saying, "There was going to be no stopping him from making that pit stop. I was speechless and was crying and laughing at the same time." Humankind is your go-to spot for good news! Click here to submit your uplifting, cute, or inspiring video moments for us to feature. Also, click here to subscribe to our newsletter bringing our top stories of the week straight to your inbox.

Athletes descend upon the region for Summer Games
Athletes descend upon the region for Summer Games

Yahoo

time6 days ago

  • Yahoo

Athletes descend upon the region for Summer Games

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'It's an honour and a joy to welcome you all for the 2025 Special Olympic Summer Games. Today, we are not just opening a sporting event, we are celebrating courage, determination and the incredible power of human spirit.'As well, there were performances from Impact Cheer Athletics and the band AudioworX, and a showing of clips from the last leg of the Law Enforcement Torch Run as the Flame of Hope made its way through Six Nations, the County of Brant, and Brantford, before it was carried into the venue by Detective Cst. Christine McCallum, Games Manager for the Special Olympics Ontario Summer torch was then passed along from Glen Gretzky and athlete Dianne Richardson to Chief Montour and Seneca Henhawk (the games' Athlete Ambassador), to Superintendent Quennville and athlete Jennifer Sywyk, and finally Chief Saunders and athlete Ben Kruis, who officially lit the Special Olympics cauldron together. 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'You reminded us that winning is not just about medals, it's about effort, unity, perseverance. …As you say farewell to the 2025 Special Olympics, I hope you take with you warm memories of our city, the friendships you've made and the victories you've earned on and off the field. I hope you'll come back to visit us, not just as athletes, but now as honorary members of the Brantford family.'The two Chiefs of police, the OPP Superintendent and the Mayor also thanked everyone who made the games possible. 'This event could not have happened without an army of very dedicated people; to the Special Olympics team, the local organizing committee and every volunteer, thank you, you've helped create something truly special in our city,' said Davis. 'To the people of Brantford, thank you for showing the province and the country what Brantford is all about!'Detective Cst. McCallum also had the chance to speak to the crowd. 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