NYU Abu Dhabi (NYUAD)
welcomed Special Olympics athlete and global motivational speaker Loretta
Claiborne, along with over 100 athletes from the UAE and US Special Olympics
teams to its campus for a special film screening. As part of the Determined!
film series, and in collaboration with the US Embassy, The Loretta Claiborne
Story screened on March 12 to a packed audience.
Claiborne was greeted on
arrival by NYUAD student athletes, US Embassy officials, and NYUAD’s official
mascot Faiza the Falcon. Prior to the screening, Claiborne delivered
inspirational opening remarks in which she described life’s journey being
about: “simply falling over and getting back up again.” She also encouraged
participating athletes to try their best and make their respective countries
proud.
The film documents
Claiborne’s life and how she was introduced to the Special Olympics, which she
described as a “turning point” in her life. Claiborne won her first gold medal
in the 1983 World Games, and has since won dozens of medals at various events;
she is also a seasoned athlete in karate, skiing, skating, and basketball. She
holds the women’s record for the 5,000m run in the Special Olympics World Games
for her age category, and has been featured in the top 100 women at the Boston
Marathon twice.
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