Teacher's special choice still paying off Darlene Shoaf didn't wait until now to realize that her decision more than two decades ago was a good one. Shoaf, of Yukon High School, has been taking teams to the Special Olympics Oklahoma Summer Games for 22 years. This year she will be recognized as Oklahoma's Special Olympics Coach of the Year. . . read more   Action Support Special Olympics by purchasing a "Sweet Sleeper Bed", "Heavenly Bed" or "Four Comforts Bed" sold through Westin at Home or through the Westin, Sheraton and Four Points Web sites. Starwood Hotels & Resorts will donate US$50 to Special Olympics, up to US$150,000, for every bed sold through 30 June 2007.   Did You Know? The 2007 Special Olympics World Summer Games Web site has a fresh look! The new version was launched on 28 April. Check out all the updates, which include News Flash, competition and non-sports events, among others. 2007.specialolympics.com

Lessons from a Legend BEIJING, CHINA Golf legend Jack Nicklaus swings into action with Special Olympics China athletes. . .  read more

Special Olympics South Africa kicks off "FIFA Football for Hope - Special Olympics Africa Project" JOHANNESBURG, SOUTH AFRICA Special Olympics and FIFA have expanded the "FIFA Football for Hope - Special Olympics Africa Projects" project to seven new Special Olympics Programs in Africa. South Africa officially launched its project to a local and international audience at the Sandton Convention Centre in Johannesburg on 15 May 2007. . . read more

"Clearly, Frankly, Unabashedly Disabled" NEW YORK CITY, NEW YORK (USA) Is the entertainment media helping change attitudes and stereotypes of people with disabilities? An article in The New York Times takes a look at how movies and television are "mainstreaming" people with disabilities and showing them for who they really are: real people with real abilities. . . read more

Craig Ludin Inducted into the Jewish Sports Hall of Fame COMMACK, NEW YORK (USA) Craig Ludin, who excels as a Special Olympics athlete, was among 11 men and women who were inducted into the Jewish Sports Hall of Fame at the organization's 15th annual induction ceremony. [Photo by Joy Rubenstein]. . . read more

Special Olympics Forever! NEW MEXICO Special Olympics New Mexico athlete Ryan Hanson recently tattooed the movement's logo on his left bicep and is proudly displaying the artwork to every person he meets. . .  read more

First Special Olympics Vietnam National Games Signal New-found Life for Athletes HANOI, VIETNAM Special Olympics Vietnam, the movement's newest Program, held its first national Games in Hanoi on 17-18 April. The Program is already making a tremendous difference in its athletes' lives, and the Games brought that into sharp focus. . . read more

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This communication is sponsored by Special Olympics, Inc. The mission of Special Olympics is to provide year-round sports training and athletic competition in a variety of Olympic-type sports for children and adults with intellectual disabilities, giving them continuing opportunities to develop physical fitness, demonstrate courage, experience joy and participate in a sharing of gifts, skills and friendship with their families, other Special Olympics athletes and the community. For more information, please visit our Web site: www.specialolympics.org