The following is an excerpt from an article titled, “SPECIAL OLYMPICS – She is a mega star in the USA” published in BILD newspaper profiling Loretta Claiborne:
When Claiborne was born, people like her were marginalized. Visiting a school? Wasn’t intended for children with disabilities like Loretta. Her mother didn’t accept it. “She wanted me to have the same opportunities in life as my siblings.”
Claiborne has competed in Special Olympics since 1970. She has won six gold medals at the Special Olympics World Games: four in running and two in bowling. In 2005 she even took part in the Special Olympics World Winter Games in Nagano, Japan—in figure skating. She finished second.
The next World Games will take place in Berlin from June 17th to 25th. Loretta Claiborne is participating again. “This time I’m competing in tennis,” she says.
Why tennis? It’s just fun for her.
“Of course I would be happy to win another medal, but first and foremost I want to show my best tennis. And I’m really looking forward to Germany. So far I only know Frankfurt Airport.”
