Michelle Obama will be presenting the Arthur Ashe Courage Award to Special Olympics Founder Eunice Kennedy Shriver at The 25th ESPYS this year, ESPN announced on Monday.
Timothy Shriver who is the Chairman of Special Olympics will accept the award on his mother’s behalf. The show will be broadcast live on ABC on Wednesday, July 12 at 8 p.m. ET.
“Eunice Kennedy Shriver was a passionate champion for those with developmental challenges, empowering them to fulfill their highest potential,” said Mrs. Obama. “Her work to promote inclusion and acceptance transformed the lives of countless young athletes and inspired us all. I am incredibly honored to present this award to her son to celebrate her life’s work.”
Eunice Kennedy Shriver is being honored with the award for her dedication to using the power of sports to empower individuals with intellectual disabilities to become acknowledged and celebrated members of society. Shriver was a resolute champion for the rights of people with intellectual disabilities and her legacy lives on through Special Olympics, the global movement she founded in 1968.