Chris Pratt and Katherine Schwarzenegger at the premiere of 'Avengers: Endgame.' Image source: Harper's Bazaar
Chris Pratt, an actor-producer, and Katherine Schwarzenegger, an author, have been appointed as the new global ambassadors of ‘Special Olympics,' where the two will be at the forefront of the global campaign to include people with intellectual disabilities. The event will be held in Orlando in 2022, and the couple will begin their two-year stint as ambassadors in October 2021.
According to Mary Davis, CEO of Special Olympics, the committee admires Katherine and Chris because they are relatable, real, and encouraging. She continued, "They have demonstrated unwavering dedication throughout their careers to lifting people up. They are incredibly influential as individuals, and together they will invigorate our movement. We are proud to have Katherine and Chris join the inclusion revolution."
Katherine Schwarzenegger is the granddaughter of Special Olympics founder Eunice Kennedy Shriver. Since her grandmother dedicated her entire life to advocating for persons with special talents, the author stated that Special Olympics has always been a significant part of her life. Katherine went on to say that she spent her childhood traveling to Special Olympics games with her cousins and working as a camp counselor at Camp Shriver.
“Chris and I are so thrilled to be a part of the SO family as a couple and to continue to spread the mission of SO and advocate whenever and wherever we can about inclusion, dignity and acceptance. This is a movement that speaks to our hearts as parents and individually”, she lastly added.
When speaking with Chris Pratt, the actor-producer stated that he has played many roles in his life, including actor, producer, husband, and father, and that he is humbled by the opportunity to serve as a Special Olympics ambassador.
“I'm continually amazed by the bravery and spirit of these wonderful athletes. I stand by Special Olympics on their quest make the world a better, healthier and more joyful place—one athlete, one volunteer, one family member at a time,” the Star-lord actor added.
Katherine Schwarzenegger is the daughter of Maria Shriver, a journalist, philanthropist, and novelist, and Arnold Schwarzenegger, an actor and former governor of California. Katherine's book, "The Gift of Forgiveness", is one of the best-selling books in the New York Times.
Chris Pratt thanked the Special Olympics Committee as well as Marvel Studios for 'taking the lead and promising to hire a Special Olympics athlete as a paid production assistant on the sets of "Guardian of the Galaxy Vol. 3" 'on social media. The actor will begin filming in Atlanta for the film, reprising his role as "Star-lord" in the third episode of Marvel Studios' Guardian of the Galaxy franchise.
Father of two added to his social media post, "The studio's partnership with @SpecialOlympics is an excellent step in showing the importance of diversity and celebrating the outstanding capability of those with intellectual disabilities."
The Unified Leadership training program, which trains leaders without disabilities how to change their attitudes and practices, question the status quo, and make their businesses more inclusive, is provided by Special Olympics for Marvel Studios.
Special Olympics World Games in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, on March 20, 2019. Image Source: USA Today
The Special Olympics movement began in 1968 as a global effort to abolish prejudice against persons with intellectual disabilities. Through the power of athletics and programming in education, health, and leadership, the committee promotes the acceptance of all individuals. Special Olympics provides over 30 Olympic-type sports and over 100,000 events and competitions each year, with over six million athletes and Unified Sports® partners in over 190 nations and territories, as well as over one million coaches and volunteers.
