Fact Sheet What: The 8th Special Olympics World Winter Games were held in Nagano, Japan, in 2005. This showcase event marked the first time the Special Olympics World Winter Games will be held in Asia. Web Site: www.2005sowwg.com The beautiful city of Nagano at night. Athletes from around the world will display their athletic skill, determination, and courage; some not competing in the Games will also fill leadership roles as officials, assistant coaches, reporters, and spokespeople. [Photo courtesy of the Nagano Convention Bureau] When: 26 February - 5 March 2005 Who: More than 1,800 athletes and 650 coaches from 80 countries (see list of attending delegations; almost 9,000 volunteers, families and friends Sports: Alpine Skiing, Cross-Country Skiing, Snowboarding, Figure Skating, Speed Skating, Snowshoeing and Floor Hockey Venues: Opening and Closing Ceremonies took place at M-Wave (Nagano Olympic Memorial Arena). There are seven sports venues, many previously used for the 1998 Winter Olympic Games. Alpine Skiing Cross Country Skiing Snowboarding Snowshoeing Speed Skating Figure Skating Floor Hockey Ichinose Family Ski Ground in Shiga Highland Snow Harp in Hakuba Iizuna Resort Ski Ground in Iizuna Highland Olympic Sports Park M-Wave (Nagano Olympic Memorial Arena) Big Hat (Wakasato Multipurpose Sports Arena) White Ring (Nagano City Mashima Sports Arena) Volunteers: 9,000 volunteers and 800 event officials Vision: The 2005 Special Olympics World Winter Games will offer Special Olympics athletes, families and volunteers from around the world excellence in competition, a growing awareness of the worldwide impact of Special Olympics, an explosion of volunteer spirit and an increase in services for individuals with intellectual disabilities. The Special Olympics movement will transform communities by inspiring people in Japan and throughout the world to open their minds and accept and include people with intellectual disabilities, thereby celebrating the gifts of all people. Information: 2005 Special Olympics World Winter Games Games Organizing Committee Wakasato Bunka Hall 1F 3-22-2 Wakasato Nagano-shi, Nagano 380-0928 Japan +81 026 227 2005 goc.nagano@2005sowwg.com Raykay Minami Aoyama Building 2F 5-4-29 Minami-Aoyama Minato-ku, Tokyo 107-0062 Japan +81 03 5464 3070