'Things are so different now': Athletes, supporters celebrate 50 years of Special Olympics
Wearing a bulky black raincoat, winter hat and scuffed white sneakers, Amelia Hernandez stood at an imaginary starting line recently on the cracked asphalt walkway at Piotrowski Park in Chicago's South Lawndale neighborhood on a recent spring morning, waiting for her coach's cue.
"Ready, set, go!"
On command, Hernandez darted onto the path, swinging her arms and fixing her gaze on the finish line, determined to do her best.
Hernandez, 61, who was born with intellectual disabilities, was part of the inaugural class of athletes who competed in the first-ever Special Olympics Games at Soldier Field in 1968. She has continued with Special Olympics every year since then, training several times a week at Chicago Park District parks, just
