VIDEO: Shriver ‘heartbroken’ by Special Olympics comment

Special Olympics Chairman Timothy Shriver said he was “a little heartbroken” by President Obama’s joke about the games on Thursday’s “Tonight Show” appearance.

“I have to say I was a little heartbroken,” Shriver said during a Friday night appearance on “Larry King Live.”

“The president, I think notwithstanding this situation, has opened the door for a teachable moment here,” he explained, adding that the president understands the nature of his remarks.

Obama likened his low bowling score to something a Special Olympics athlete could accomplish.

Shriver encouraged the White House to hire an individual with a physical or intellectual disability as a signal for of their commitment to helping that community.

“Couldn’t the president create a path-breaking statement by saying these are valuable people, they can contribute in the workplace and we’ve found someone who can do a great job here in the White House and serve the country and serve his administration?” Shriver asked. “That would be a great way to signal, I think, a change of heart and really lead a discussion.”

Watch a video of the interview below: