The national director of Special Olympics Rwanda, Anaclet Ruzindana has mourned the passing away of the founder of Special Olympics, Eunice Kennedy Shriver.

Ruzindana paid tribute to Shriver’s dedication to giving hope and opportunities to children around the world living with disabilities.

"We have lost a great visionary leader. The legacy of Shriver will continue to live on through her strength and determination.

"She was a tireless advocate for the rights of people with disabilities, a true friend of Rwanda and children across the globe,” Ruzindana said.

The Special Olympics founder believed that all people deserved the chance to reach their full potential.

Rwanda honored Shriver as a true global ambassador of change in helping end discrimination of one child, one community and one country at a time.

Shriver passed away at the age 88. She had suffered a series of strokes in recent years before she died last Tuesday.

Shriver founded the Special Olympics in 1968, holding its inaugural Summer Games at Chicago’s Soldier Field.

By its 40th anniversary last year, 3 million athletes in 181 countries with Rwanda inclusive competed in Special Olympics contests and uncounted millions more gathered to watch, cheer, and encourage.

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