Vincent Athaid flags off the walk in Jamshedpur on Saturday. Picture by Bhola Prasad

Jamshedpur, Sept. 24: Eunice Kennedy Shriver, sister of US President John F. Kennedy and founder of Special Olympics, was remembered in the steel city today through a cross country walk that was organised in Sonari West locality.

The event, an endeavour of city-based NGO Jeevika, which is actively involved in the promotion of mentally challenged students, saw 30 special athletes, including some who had donned Indian jerseys in the World Summer and Winter Games, slowly but steadily traversing a kilometre on foot. Vincent Athaid of Sundernagar’s Chesire Home flagged off the walk, which included 15 participants of NGO Jeevika.

Dressed in tees with picture of Eunice Shriver displayed on their chest, the 30 enthusiastic participants completed their journey amid applauds from international sportspersons who egged them on.

Jeevika secretary Sukhdeep Kaur, Special Olympics Bharat regional trainer (Asia-Pacific) Awtar Singh, Special Olympics Bharat Jharkhand chapter treasurer Satbir Singh Sahota, Jeevika members Krishna Murty, Surenderjit Kaur and Kamaljeet Kaur were among those who attended the event that was anchored by K.P. Singh.

Athaid, on his part, applauded Jeevika for organising a homage ceremony for Shriver and congratulated the participants for turning up in good numbers. Later on, he also handed over gifts to international sportspersons for winning laurels for the country.

“The participants were so excited about that they wanted to walk more. But we had to restrict the distance due to inclement weather conditions,” said Sukhdeep, who was the coach for the recently concluded World Summer Games .