Despite Down Syndrome, sons compete - and win (USA Today) Teri Russo (left) is a firm believer in trying your best. That's the approach she took when serving in the U.S. Navy during the Vietnam War, the attitude she maintained when fighting for children with Down syndrome, and the message she imparts to her four adopted sons, all of whom were born with the developmental disability. . . read more   Action "Keep yourself up to date on the 2007 Special Olympics World Summer Games from around the world by following the ' Road to Shanghai' blog from the lighting of the "Flame of Hope" in Athens, Greece, to Team USA Training Camp in Nashville, Tennessee and other locations until we reach Shanghai!"   Did You Know? The top five sports (by athlete participation) in Special Olympics are athletics (track & field), football (soccer), bowling, basketball and aquatics.

Global Law Enforcement Torch Run for 2007 Special Olympics World Games Underway ATHENS, GREECE The "Flame of Hope" for the 2007 Special Olympics World Summer Games was lit in Athens, Greece, officially launching the Global Law Enforcement Torch Run. Supported by the expertise of sponsor DHL, the Global Torch Run marks the first time the flame has traveled the globe in a single event. . . read more

Special Olympics Holds South America Football Tournament in Venezuela VENEZUELA, SOUTH AMERICA For the first time ever, Special Olympics athletes competed in a world-class tournament that was sanctioned by CONMEBOL (the South American Football Confederation, governing body of football in most of South America). . . read more

Special Olympics Africa Launches Young Athletes™ 11 JUNE 2007 Special Olympics South Africa recently became the first Program in the Africa region to begin implementing the Young Athletes™ initiative after requests by family members to involve their children in the program were answered. . . read more

Special Olympics Founder, Athlete Receive Sports Humanitarian Award BOISE, IDAHO (USA) 20 JUNE 2007 Special Olympics Founder Eunice Kennedy Shriver and Special Olympics Board Member and athlete Loretta Claiborne were honored with the World Sports Humanitarian Hall of Fame's Founder's Award at an induction ceremony in Boise, Idaho, on 20 June. . .  read more

Special Olympics Costa Rica Athlete Named to Sports Hall of Fame COSTA RICA, S. AMERICA Erick Zumbado, a Special Olympics Costa Rica athlete who has Down syndrome, will be inducted into the Costa Rican Sports Hall of Fame on 19 July.  . .  read more

Top NBA Draft Prospects Host Cares Clinic NEW YORK CITY, NEW YORK (USA), 27 JUNE 2007 Top NBA Draft prospects taught and demonstrated shooting, passing and dribbling techniques to 100 Special Olympics athletes at John Jay College in New York City as part of NBA Cares' continuing mission of giving back to the community. . .  read more

Torch Run Teams Up with Krispy Kreme to Benefit Special Olympics GEORGIA (USA) Law enforcement officers took to the roofs of local Krispy Kreme Doughnuts to kick off "Cops on Doughnut Shops," a fundraiser created to raise funds for and increase awareness of the Special Olympics movement. . . 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