A Friendship Made in China Garrie Barnes was selected to compete in the 100-meter run and running long jump at the Invitational Games in Shanghai, China. There she met Yvonne, a college student in Shanghai volunteering at the Games, and their friendship began. . . 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 Special Olympics movement grew by 12 percent from 2005 to 2006 and now serves 2.5 million athletes worldwide. Also, there are nearly 200,000 Special Olympics coaches providing sports training to athletes.

The Right to Play Becomes a Reality in Bourgas 28 MAY 2007 "Changing Attitudes-Changing Schools" is a pilot project run by Special Olympics Bulgaria which aims to encourage mainstream schools to create a welcoming environment to facilitate the inclusion of children with intellectual disabilities. . . read more

Special Olympics Board Elects New Members WASHINGTON, DC 5 JUNE 2007 Special Olympics International announced the appointment of nine new members to its Board of Directors, including leaders from business and politics, and two Special Olympics athletes. . . read more

Uzbekistan 2nd National Games UZBEKISTAN, CENTRAL ASIA Three hundred and twenty Special Olympics athletes from all over Uzbekistan, and other Central Asian countries, participated in the second Special Olympics Uzbekistan National Games from 11-18 May in Bukhara, located 500 km southwest of Tashkent. . .  read more

Academic Program at Indian University Grooms new Special Olympics Leaders VIDYALAY, COIMBATORE (INDIA) Special Olympics Bharat (India) and Special Olympics Asia Pacific signed a memorandum of understanding with Ramakrishna Mission Vivekananda University in Coimbatore, India, on 2 May 2007 to offer academic programs in Special Olympics that would cater to the demand for future leaders of the movement and qualified Special Olympics coaches and officials. . .  read more

Teen Composes Stirring Special Olympics Theme Song NORTH HOLLYWOOD, SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA (USA) Alex Arntzen, a high school student at North Hollywood's Campbell Hall High School, and a volunteer for Special Olympics, was so impressed by the athletes that he composed the theme song, "Inspiration," for the Special Olympics Southern California Summer Games. . . read more

Special Olympics Bharat Receives Grant for 2007 World Summer Games NEW DELHI, INDIA Special Olympics Bharat (India) has received a significant grant from the Sports Ministry to support the Program's preparation and travel to the 2007 Special Olympics World Summer Games in Shanghai, China. In May 2006, the Ministry of Sports and Youth Affairs conferred Priority Classification as an accredited sports federation on Special Olympics Bharat. . . read more

Volunteer Training Helps Protect Special Olympics Athletes Special Olympics has posted its new Protective Behaviors training material, a critical tool for protecting Special Olympics athletes from sexual, physical, and emotional abuse, on the Special Olympics Web site. The training is required of all U.S. Class A Volunteers and staff members. . . 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