Frank Hayden, Canadian researcher who helped spearhead Special Olympics, dies at 96

Frank Hayden, a Canadian researcher and advocate who played a pivotal role in establishing the Special Olympics for athletes with intellectual disabilities, passed away on Wednesday at the age of 96. Hayden’s commitment to inclusion and equal opportunities began when he volunteered as a coach for Toronto’s first organized Special Olympics games in 1967. This early experience solidified his belief that individuals with intellectual disabilities could excel athletically and should be given the chance to compete alongside their peers. In 1968, Hayden was part of a delegation sent by the Ontario…