Special Olympics International Chairman Dr Timothy Shriver says the movement in the Caribbean has come a long way thanks to the selfless contribution of various stakeholders throughout the region.

Shriver, who along with his wife Linda visited Jamaica last week to attend a farewell function for Digicel founder Denis O’Brien, insisted there should be no letting up in the drive to spread awareness to every corner of the Caribbean.

“There’s a long history here [in the Caribbean] of communities built around people taking care of each other…that’s why Special Olympics is thriving here,” Shriver said after being serenaded by the words of Bob Marley’s iconic One Love during a welcome reception staged by Special Olympics Jamaica (SOJ) at the Norman Manley International Airport in Kingston on January 8.

“There is great talent here, spirit, faith, commitment, people who are inclusive, and people who are eager to make a difference, so this is the best of what the world is looking for,” the Special Olympics boss told the Jamaica Observer.

In recent years, a number of Caribbean programmes, led by Special Olympics Jamaica, have joined forces with their respective government ministries to concretise partnerships through policy framework.

“This is what they say about great activists in our movement — they’re tireless and they’re relentless, because that’s what it takes to make a change,” Shriver said.

“We’ve had lots of struggle but now we’re really moving and we have much more to do. We have many communities in the Caribbean network of islands that don’t yet have a Special Olympics programme. We’ve got to find them, get the resources, [and] we need the attention of people of good will,” he added.

SOJ’s David Duncan, the chairman for Special Olympics North America (SONA) Athlete Leadership Council and the athlete leader for Jamaica and the Caribbean, is one of those entrusted with the task of building awareness and understanding of the movement.

“I am forever grateful for what Special Olympics has done for athletes around the world. I am also honoured to be given the opportunity to lead athletes in SONA and the Caribbean as it gives us an opportunity to have our voices heard,” he said.

Jamaica’s Deputy Superintendent of Police Natalie Palmer, the co-ordinator for the Law Enforcement Torch Run (LETR) in the Caribbean, said the organisation remains steadfast in its objectives to raise funds and create awareness about people with intellectual disabilities. She called on more individuals and organisations to lend support to the movement.

“The Law Enforcement Torch Run has been around from 1986 and we are really proud to say we started in Jamaica in 1988. We have never faltered in our support to Special Olympics Jamaica. We are one of the premier sponsors, very committed to Special Olympics. Last year, in tandem with our law enforcement partners, we were able to do our 5K Run, which was our first coming out of the COVID-19 pandemic, and we raised just about $4 million,” Palmer told the Observer.

Permanent secretary in Jamaica’s sports ministry Denzil Thorpe, who stood in for Minister Olivia Grange at the welcome reception, doubled down on the commitment to SOJ.

“The support is more than just the money. There’s camaraderie, friendship…we are with them all the way, it’s not just about monetary value. The budget is small, but we do ensure that whatever the budget is, Special Olympics is [included]. We have so many stakeholders but we’ll always continue to support…this is a partnership that will continue to grow and to strengthen,” Thorpe said.

Lorna Bell, the executive director of Special Olympics Caribbean Initiative, hailed the global leadership for providing support to the region.

“The work that we have been doing in the Caribbean programmes shows the dedication and commitment we’ve had from our volunteers, athletes, coaches, and everyone involved, and it also shows the support from the leaders of Special Olympics International.

“We’re a very strong team in the Caribbean, we have all 20 programmes on board and we’ve come a far way, I think we’ve done exceptionally well,” Bell said.