On October 21, Ambassador Mushingi met with athletes from Burkina Faso’s national Special Olympics team who participated in this year’s World Games in Los Angeles. The Burkina team returned with 13 medals – including 6 gold medals – in various disciplines. The international sports competition was founded in 1968 by Eunice Kennedy Shriver for children and adults with intellectual disabilities. Burkina Faso Special Olympics executive director Annick Pickbougoum thanked the Ambassador and Embassy staff for their support during the 2015 games. The Ambassador took the opportunity to mark the U.S. government’s commitment to equal access and to promoting the rights of disabled people in the United States and abroad. The athletes said they enjoyed their time with the Ambassador, who spoke with each individual. The Special Olympics team presented the Ambassador with a personalized team jersey.
