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| Scott Hamilton, Olympic figure skating gold medalist, sports broadcaster and Special Olympics International Board Director (center, in beige sweater), wishes members of Team USA good luck at a send-off event in Los Angeles, California, on 20 February. |
With the 2005 Special Olympics World Winter Games less than a week away, Special Olympics athletes around the world are eagerly anticipating their competition experience in Nagano, Japan. On 20 February, the nearly 200 Special Olympics athletes and 90 coaches and staff of Team USA gathered in Los Angeles, California, en route to the World Games. The largest delegation at this year's biggest international sporting and humanitarian event was honored at the Marriott Los Angeles Airport with a dinner and celebration from 7:00 – 9:00 p.m.
Featuring entertainment, including the marching band and cheerleaders from the University of Southern California, the event celebrated the accomplishments of these athletes, whose ages range from 11 to 51, and allowed special guests and friends to wish them good luck in Nagano.
"Just by being named to Team USA, these athletes all have earned gold medals in state competition and thus have proven they are winners both inside and outside the sporting arena," said Chris Hahn, Chairman of the Team USA Management Team. "This celebration not only honors those achievements, but also demonstrates our pride in their being such deserving ambassadors of the United States at this world-class sporting event."
More than 7,500 miles away, the Special Olympics Iraq delegation also was preparing to depart. Despite the challenges of training in the midst of that country's ongoing turmoil, the Program is sending its athletes to a World Winter Games for the first time. The 16-member delegation includes an 11-person floor hockey team, four coaches and one Head of Delegation. Special Olympics Iraq also participated in the 2003 Special Olympics World Winter Games in Dublin, Ireland, with 10 athletes competing in athletics and table tennis. They collected seven medals in Dublin.
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| The Special Olympics Iraq delegation gathers before leaving for Nagano, Japan, and their first-ever Special Olympics World Winter Games. The 11 athletes (in green uniforms) make up a floor hockey team. |
In addition, Special Olympics Iraq took part in the 2004 Special Olympics Middle East/North Africa Regional Games in Tunisia. Fourteen athletes, including four females, won 12 medals in three sports: aquatics, athletics and table tennis.
According to Ghada Abdel Khalek, Communications & Partnership Development Manager for Special Olympics Middle East/North Africa, the athletes prepared for the World Winter Games at the Faculty of Physical Education in Baghdad, training three times a week for three hours at a time. "This is the maximum they can do because of the deteriorating security situation in the city," she said, adding that the athletes were "very excited" to be visiting Japan and competing in the World Games.
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| Special Olympics Slovenia athletes who will compete in the 2005 World Winter Games in Nagano enjoyed an exciting warm-up to the big event when the "Flame of Hope" made a quick stop in their country on its way to Japan. (Photo courtesy Special Olympics Slovenia) |
For Special Olympics Slovenia athletes, the excitement of World Games arrived a little early. The athletes received a thrill when the "Flame of Hope," en route from a lighting ceremony in Athens, Greece, on 15 February to London, England, prior to being flown to Japan for the Law Enforcement Torch Run Final Leg, made a surprise stop at Ljubljana airport. Read more about how the 16 athletes in the Special Olympics Slovenia welcomed the "Flame of Hope," however briefly, before they left for Japan themselves.
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| Before leaving for the 2005 World Winter Games in Nagano, Japan, the Special Olympics Bharat (India) floor hockey team met with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh (center). The team was accompanied by actor and Special Olympics Bharat Ambassador Akshay Kamur (in white shirt), Special Olympics Asia Pacific Managing Director Troy Grieisen (in light suit) and Air Marshall (Ret.) Denzil Keelor, Special Olympics Bharat Board Chair (seated, center row, second from left). |
In India, the Special Olympics Bharat (India) floor hockey team had the honor of meeting with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on 19 February. The team was accompanied by Akshay Kamur, a famous "Bollywood" actor who serves as an ambassador for Special Olympics Bharat. "This was a great honor for the team, and they were extremely excited," said Special Olympics Asia Pacific Managing Director Troy Greisen. The Prime Minister greeted each athlete and told them to represent their country well. Prime Minister Singh has pledged his support of the movement's efforts in India, which include launching a major public awareness campaign in April 2005 and reaching 200,000 athletes by the end of the year.
For these athletes and all the others — more than 1,800 from 80 countries — arriving in Japan, the Special Olympics Host Town Program will provide an introduction to the country of Japan and its people. More than 70 host towns throughout the Nagano Prefecture and beyond will welcome the delegations. Japanese families will open their hearts and homes for four days prior to the Games, allowing delegations to rest, acclimate and celebrate their arrival before Opening Ceremonies on 26 February. At the 20 February 2005 send-off for Team USA, a Presidential Proclamation from U.S. President George Bush was read:
I send greetings to those gathered in Los Angeles for the send-off ceremony for our nation's Special Olympics athletes. Congratulations to our talented and dedicated athletes for representing the United States at the 2005 Special Olympics World Winter Games in Nagano, Japan.
Special Olympics showcases the courage and perseverance of the human spirit. These Games challenge millions of people with disabilities to set high goals and always try their best. I commend all the participants for reaching this level of competition. Your determination and commitment to excellence in your sport inspire others and reflect the best of America.
The 2005 World Winter Games will bring new heroes and new records, while fostering friendship and goodwill among nations. Laura and I send our best wishes for a rewarding and memorable event.
George Bush |
