For the first time, the Special Olympics...

For the first time, the Special Olympics are coming to prime time. At least, the opening ceremonies for the VII International Special Olympics will be televised Monday from 9 to 11 p.m. on ABC (Channels 7, 3, 10, 42).

The star-studded gala, taped Sunday night at Notre Dame Stadium and hosted by Barbara Mandrell, will feature a lineup that includes appearances by (among others) Jane Fonda, John Ritter, Rafer Johnson, Maria Shriver, Don Johnson, John Denver, Susan Saint James, Frank Gifford, Oprah Winfrey, Whitney Houston and Arnold Schwarzenegger, who’s shown on the cover with John Brown, a Special Olympics weightlifter.

The Games themselves continue through Saturday in South Bend., Ind. Some 5,000 athletes from 72 countries are competing in 14 Olympic-type sports, reportedly making this the largest event ever held for citizens with mental retardation.

In addition to airing the opening ceremonies, ABC also will devote the Aug. 15 “Wide World of Sports” telecast to the Games.

Eunice Kennedy Shriver founded Special Olympics International in 1968. It is a year-round and worldwide sports training and competition for children and adults with mental retardation.