Special Olympics Kicks Off Inaugural USA National Games with a Spectacular Opening Ceremonies Special Olympics Iowa athlete Rolla Lucas lights the cauldron at the Opening Ceremonies of the 2006 Special Olympics USA National Games. On Sunday, 2 July 2006, nearly 3,000 Special Olympics athletes representing every U.S. state and the District of Columbia, thousands of spectators and volunteers, and a host of celebrities and dignitaries witnessed the Opening Ceremonies of the 2006 Special Olympics USA National Games. Iowa native actor and comedian Tom Arnold co-emceed the celebration with Special Olympics Florida athlete Eddie Barbanell, one of several athletes who co-starred in the 2005 comedy "The Ringer" by the Farrelly Brothers, now available on DVD, at the Hilton Coliseum on the campus of Iowa State University, kicking off the weeklong competition celebrating the athletic ability of people with intellectual disabilities. “I am honored and proud that Tim and Eunice Shriver chose my home state for the inaugural National Games," said Arnold. "But it was a pretty easy choice because this is the best place on earth to be. After all, Superman is from Iowa.” The plumed hats of the ceremonial Knights of Columbus color guard and delegations of athletes from around the USA nearly engulf the Opening Ceremonies co-emcees, actor Tom Arnold (dark striped shirt) and Special Olympics athlete Eddie Barbanell (center, white shirt). Multi-platinum recording artist Hootie & the Blowfish and "Oprah's Pop Star Challenge" winner LaShell Griffin entertained the sold-out crowd of 13,500 people with their latest hits. Former Tower of Power lead trumpeter Jesse McGuire performed the U.S. national anthem and Irish tenor Ronan Tynan, a long-time Special Olympics supporter, sang his signature arrangement of God Bless America. Hootie & the Blowfish were among the entertainers at Opening Ceremonies. Another Opening Ceremonies performer was 21 year old Special Olympics Nebraska athlete David Steffan. Last year, Steffan was named a Global Messenger for his local Program, and after telling the story of how Special Olympics changed his life multiple times, he started thinking of other avenues of expression, "and finally it hit me: a song!" he said. "But not just any song. I wanted to write a song that Special Olympics athletes could call their own." In the chorus of "Let Me," Steffan incorporated the Special Olympics athlete oath: "Let me win, but if I can not win, let me be brave in the attempt." Listen to "Let Me" (MP3 file, 2.1M) and visit the "Meet our Athletes" section of this Web site to learn more about David Steffan. A highlight of the Opening Ceremonies came when Special Olympics athlete Rolla Lucas, from Davenport, Iowa, lit the Special Olympics cauldron to a thunderous standing ovation of athletes and supporters. Lucas was the final person to handle the torch that had traveled from Soldier Field in Chicago, Illinois — the site of the first Special Olympics Games in 1968 — to Ames. A 109-person team of law enforcement officers, Special Olympics athletes and support team members participated in the Law Enforcement Torch Run Final Leg. “We've waited for this event for three years," said Ames Mayor Ann Campbell. "It's one that has touched our souls. I don't ever remember a time when we, as a community, have ever been able to muster 8,000 volunteers from all walks of life. As Tim Shriver said to us today at Senator Harkin's hearing, ‘This is not an advancement... it's a movement.'” The Final Leg is a longtime Special Olympics tradition, raising awareness and support around the world. For the USA National Games, ceremonies were held in more than 86 towns along the way between Chicago and Ames. The first-ever Special Olympics USA National Games will continue through Friday, 7 July, with athletes competing in 12 Olympic-style sports. The week also features events promoting awareness and inclusion of people with intellectual disabilities, including a National Youth Forum bringing together youth with and without intellectual disabilities; a Family Forum for family members of Special Olympics athletes; and a series of Healthy Athletes Screenings, providing a variety of free health assessments to competing Special Olympics athletes. For competition results and photo galleries, visit www.2006nationalgames.org.      < Return to main USA National Games page > page