The Eternal Flame of Hope is a permanent sculpture located on the grounds of Solider Field, in honor of the 50th anniversary of Special Olympics. The organization started in Chicago in 1968. The Eternal Flame of Hope is lit 24-hours-a-day, 365 days-a-year, at the site of the first Special Olympics games.
CHICAGO - October 17, 2018 - To mark the 50thAnniversary of the founding of Special Olympics, a permanent sculpture has been added to the grounds of Solider Field in Chicago, the site of where the first games took place over 50 years ago. In a city home to famed artwork and sculptures such as Cloud Gate (“The Bean”) by Anish Kapoor in Millennium Park, The Picasso by Pablo Picasso in Daley Plaza, The Herald Square Monument by Lorado Taft in Herald Square, and Calder’s Flamingo by Alexander Calder in Federal Square, The Eternal Flame of Hope joins a roster of incredible outdoor sculptures, and is a “must-see” for all visiting or living in Chicago.
The Eternal Flame of Hope is a permanent, nearly 30-foot monument, created and designed by world-renowned Chicago sculptor, Richard Hunt. Representing the progress that has been made over the last 50 years, and the progress yet to achieve, the Eternal Flame of Hope is lit 24-hours a day, 365 days a year.
Featuring a beautifully landscaped plaza, and donor recognition wall, The Eternal Flame of Hopeserves as a permanent reminder of the life-changing organization that is now in over 170 countries, with over five million individuals with intellectual disabilities participating. The first Special Olympics games took place at Soldier Field on July 20, 1968, with 1000 athletes competing from 26 states and Canada. The Chicago program is now the largest in the State of Illinois with over 7500 athletes competing.
“Those first games here at Soldier Field created a contagious affection for children and adults with intellectual disabilities. Instead of being shut away, these individuals were finally seen for what they were and are – people with hopes, dreams and enormous potential,” said Illinois Supreme Court Justice Anne Burke, founder of Chicago Special Olympics. “This monument and eternal flame will serve as a reminder to visitors from all over the world of those first games and serve as a beacon symbolizing the potential of every individual for greatness.”
The Eternal Flame of Hope is located on McFetridge Drive on the grounds of Soldier Field, and across from the entrance to the Field Museum.
For more information on the history of Special Olympics in Chicago, please visit the SCC/Special Olympics Chicago website at www.sochicago.org
About SCC/Special Olympics Chicago:
The Special Olympics Chicago program is the largest in the State of Illinois. The Chicago Program alone is larger than 26 other complete State programs. Chicago is the birthplace of Special Olympics and is now held in over 170 countries, worldwide.
Special Olympics provides year-round sports training and competition in a variety of Olympic type sports for children (ages 8 and older) and adults with mental disabilities or closely related developmental disabilities. The program gives them continuing opportunities to develop physical fitness, demonstrate courage, experience joy and participate in a sharing of gifts, skills and friendships with their families, other Special Olympics athletes and the community. In Chicago alone, more than 7,500 athletes are involved in the program.
Since 1969, Special Children’s Charities has been the fundraising co-sponsor of Special Olympics Chicago, in partnership with the Chicago Park District. Special Children’s Charities mission statement is to promote, foster and encourage physical and mental health and improvement through athletics, recreational and social activities among youth and adults with disabilities.
Media Contact
Company Name: SCC/Special Olympics Chicago
Contact Person: Maura Bruton
Email: Send Email
Phone: 312.952.7897
Country: United States
Website: https://sochicago.org/
Source: www.abnewswire.com
