Frank Hayden, the Canadian researcher whose work in the 1960s helped lay the groundwork for Special Olympics globally, has died at 96. Special Olympics Canada says he died Saturday and will be remembered for research that supported the idea exercise benefits p
Frank Hayden’s work helped change how the world viewed athletes with intellectual disabilities—an impact Special Olympics Canada says stretches far beyond Canada.
The organization says Hayden died Saturday at age 96. It adds that he was raised in St. Catharines, Ont., and is survived by four children, seven grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.
Special Olympics Canada says Hayden’s research in the 1960s supported the idea that exercise would be beneficial for people with intellectual disabilities. a line of work it says spearheaded the creation of Special Olympics globally.. The organization also points to the wider origin of the movement: Special Olympics was founded by Eunice Kennedy Shriver on July 20. 1968. and now provides athletic training and competitions for millions of athletes with intellectual disabilities in more than 170 countries.
Hayden later received major recognition in Canada. Special Olympics Canada says he was inducted into Canada’s Sports Hall of Fame, appointed a companion of the Order of Canada, and that a school in Burlington, Ont., was named after him.
Gail Hamamoto, CEO of Special Olympics Canada, described the loss in an online tribute, saying, “We mourn this tremendous loss with profound gratitude for everything he gave to this movement and to the athletes who inspired his life’s work,” it reported.
The timing and sequence of tributes—his 1960s research leading to the creation of Special Olympics, followed by later honours in Canada—frame how the organization is connecting Hayden’s early work to the movement’s current reach across more than 170 countries.
His obituary says a celebration of life will be held June 19 at Dr. Frank J. Hayden Secondary School.
Frank Hayden Special Olympics Canada Special Olympics Order of Canada Canada Sports Hall of Fame intellectual disabilities Eunice Kennedy Shriver St. Catharines Burlington Dr. Frank J. Hayden Secondary School Gail Hamamoto