Palin slams Obama over Special Olympics joke

Washington, Mar 21 (ANI): Ex-vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin has criticised President Barack Obama for the Special Olympics joke he made on a US chat show.

"I was shocked to learn of the comment made by President Obama about Special Olympics," Us magazine quoted Palin, whose son Trig was born with Down syndrome last year, as saying.

"This was a degrading remark about our world's most precious and unique people, coming from the most powerful position in the world," she said.

"These athletes overcome more challenges, discrimination and adversity than most of us ever will," she continued.

"By the way, these athletes can outperform many of us and we should be proud of them. I hope President Obama's comments do not reflect how he truly feels about the special needs community," she added.

While on Thursday's Tonight Show With Jay Leno, Obama said his recent low bowling scores equated to the "Special Olympics."

After realizing his mistake, Obama apologized to the chairman of the Special Olympics before the show aired.

The White House added that President Obama realizes it was a "thoughtless joke." (ANI)