As a three-time World Record holder in the decathlon, silver medalist at the 1956 Olympics and gold medalist at the 1960 Games, Rafer has many connections in the sports world and Hollywood. With those connections, he has generated hundreds of thousands of dollars and recruited dozens of people to support California Special Olympics. For 25 years he has made California Special Olympics a part of his life. Rafer has led the organization's growth to its present size: more than 25,000 athletes in 68 programs throughout California train and compete year-round in 20 sports. Athletes receive quality, consistent training, and compete at local, sectional, statewide and international levels.

  Rafer also serves as National Head Coach, is Vice President of the Board of Directors and serves on the Board of Directors of seven other organizations. He is also the spokesperson for Reebok Corporation and Hershey Foods Track and Field Youth Program. Rafer's person philosophy is the driving force behind his many contributions to society. He believes very strongly that his academic and athletic activities received tremendous support by his school, parents and the community. As he stated in an interview in the UCLA monthly, “As I've moved along since then, people have continued to be very helpful to me. I've just always felt that I owed something back to my state, my community and to young people. I'm not sure that I'll ever feel like I've repaid the debt. I think I'll always feel some obligation because I received so much.” Rafer also believes very strongly that everyone has a responsibility to use individual talents and abilities to be the, best that they can be. Always experience new opportunities and very definitely “be the best that they can be.”

TOPICS: Motivation/Inspiration, Olympic Moments, Human Interest

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