Smiles Close Special Olympics

The Special Olympics World Games ended Sunday, and almost everyone concerned was happy with the achievements - athletic and otherwise - over the last nine days.

For the 7,200 athletes from 140 nations, all mentally retarded and some physically disabled, there was almost endless competition in 19 sports. They made friends from far-off nations. And they proved to themselves and to the public that retardation is not the end of a productive life, but just one more obstacle to be dealt with.

“We can learn from people with mental handicaps,” said Sargent Shriver, the former U.S. ambassador to France and chairman of Special Olympics International. “They’re not demanding all the time. I think that as a result of this week, many American people have a better understanding of mentally handicapped people.”