Two Years, in the Blink of an Eye
It hardly seems possible that two years have passed since the 2005 Special Olympics World Winter Games in Japan. We have been planning the 2007 Special Olympics World Summer Games in Shanghai for three years, and it is hard to believe that the event is only weeks away. Shanghai, is an overwhelming city - millions of people and a skyline that stretches up and away as far as one can see. There are ancient scenes amid ultra modern: old Shanghai, where one can wander almost endlessly to sample food, visit craft stores and barter with artisans; and new Shanghai, where one can climb 60 stories in seconds for an evening look at the Pearl of the Orient Tower.
The 2007 World Summer Games will be the largest and most anticipated Games yet. In addition to the fantastic competitions, emotional medal ceremonies and great sportsmanship from the athletes, there will be scores of special events that frame the importance of these Games.
Here are a few highlights:
- Special Olympics World Games Policy Summit at the Shanghai International Convention Center (3 October)
800 attendees representing world leaders from every sector will gather and millions more will watch by television to hear the latest research and participate in policy discussions with country presidents, first ladies, cabinet ministers and hear from our true leaders, the athletes of Special Olympics. In addition to the presentations and discussion, a “Statement of Support” for people with intellectual disabilities will be presented for adoption. U.S. President George W. Bush is dispatching a Presidential Delegation to these Games, headed by Education Secretary Margaret Spellings. This is the first time that this has occurred at a Special Olympics event. Several new Special Olympics partnerships will be announced, including one with UNICEF.
- Healthy Athletes Train-the-Trainer Session and Health Screenings
New clinical directors representing countries not yet involved in Healthy Athletes programs will be trained in Shanghai in preparation for bringing the Healthy Athletes programs back to their home countries. It is anticipated that some 15,000 free health screenings to Special Olympics athletes across six Healthy Athletes disciplines will take place. The Healthy Athletes facility will be the largest ever health event for Special Olympics, with the largest number of volunteer health professionals involved to date.
- Healthy Young Athletes
The Young Athletes™ program that has been introduced for children with intellectual disabilities between the ages of 2 to 7, will be pilot testing Healthy Athletes screenings for this newest group of Special Olympics participants in three disciplines - Opening Eyes®, Special Smiles® and Health Promotion. What a great opportunity for early intervention to get these Young Athletes off to a healthy start.
- Healthy Athletes Extended Information System
Changes are in store for the Healthy Athletes Software system (HAS), which tracks screening data. The HAS system is kicking off a longitudinal component based on a personal electronic health record that can be directed by the athlete to a provider of choice back home. It relies on smart card technology to enable constant updating and access to personal medical records by providers with a need to know. The advantage of electronic medical records is to provide a mechanism to track the athlete's health status over time rather than at just points in time - truly a cutting-edge opportunity.
- Athlete Participation in Research and Evaluation
At the first-ever Special Olympics USA National Games in Ames, Iowa, in July 2006, athletes participated as researchers, carrying out survey work with fellow athletes. This type of research design will continue with an expanded group of athletes on two new research projects that will be initiated during the Games in Shanghai.
The energy and excitement for the 2007 Special Olympics World Summer Games has almost reached its zenith; these few highlights from the health and research areas of Special Olympics offer a view of the magic that the World Games will bring to an incomparable city.
Hope to see you in Shanghai, or if not there, it is not too early to start planning for the 2009 Special Olympics World Winter Games in Boise, Idaho (USA), 6-13 February.
Return to Healthy Athletes Update, Summer 2007
|
