General Media Highlights from Around the World
-- Daily Monitor (UK), 26 May – Special Olympics picks Kasujja
Great Britain has picked Alex willington Kasujja and Tahil Dalip as their Special Olympic ambassadors to Africa and Asia respectively. Kasujja who is also vying for presidency the federation of Uganda Football Associations (Fufa) is also assisting with the Leicester city sports kits initiative for poor talents in Uganda.
http://www.monitor.co.ug/artman/publish/sports/Special_Olympics_pick_Kasujja_85268.shtml
-- The Daily Times (US), 25 May – Special Olympians are the real athletes
We read about the individuals who are paid millions of dollars to coach college athletic teams and professional athletes who receive unheard of salaries. Unfortunately, in our opinion, we don't see nearly enough about the greatest coaches and athletes who don't receive a dime for their efforts. Have you ever read about the Special Olympics?
http://www.thedailytimes.com/article/20090526/OP01/305269983/-1/OP
-- World Golf (US), 22 May – 10th Annual Special Olympics Golf National Invitational Tournament
More than 200 golfers from 21 states will compete in the 10th Annual Special Olympics Golf National Invitational Tournament, July 31 - Aug. 3, at the Mahoney Golf Course and Highlands Golf Course in Lincoln, Neb. The golf industry has pledged its support once again with The PGA of America, USGA and PGA Tour as presenting sponsors, and the LPGA and GCSAA as supporting sponsors.
http://www.worldgolf.com/newswire/browse/58730-10th-Annual-Special-Olympics-Golf-National-Invitational-Tournament
-- NZLive (New Zealand), 20 May – Board Chairman elected to International Board
Chairman of Special Olympics New Zealand (SONZ), David Rutherford has been elected to the Special Olympics International Board of Directors. The Special Olympics Headquarters are based in Washington D.C. Mr Rutherford will represent the Asia Pacific region for a term of three years. In this capacity he will be a voting member of the International Advisory Committee (IAC) of the Board.
http://www.nzlive.com/en/news/board-chairman-elected-to-international-board
-- Asia One (Singapore), 20 May – Olsen to help raise funds for Special Olympics
NOMINATED Member of Parliament Eunice Olsen will be at Fair- Price Xtra in Ang Mo Kio Hub today to help raise funds for the 7th National Special Olympics. Ms Olsen, 31, a brand ambassador for coffee brand Nescafe Gold, will work with athletes from the Special Olympics Singapore team to help rally shoppers to buy jars of Nescafe Gold.
http://news.asiaone.com/News/Latest+News/Showbiz/Story/A1Story20090520-142609.html
-- Hillsboro Argus (US), 19 May – Unified Special Olympics: Knocking prejudice out of the park
About 60 Forest Grove, Hillsboro, Banks and North Plains students are giving of themselves this spring and summer as peer teammates for Forest Grove's Unified Sports Special Olympics softball athletes. Unified Sports gives higher-ability athletes of all ages and their partners the opportunity improve their physical fitness, sharpen their skills, challenge the competition and help to overcome prejudices about intellectual disability. http://www.oregonlive.com/news/argus/index.ssf?/base/news/1242753668197250.xml&coll=6
R-Word
-- Miami Herald (US), 24 May – Young filmmakers honored at Miami’s Children’s Museum Film Festival
There was a sci-fi comedy about an unlikely hero who thinks the world is going to end. A mock public service announcement about the perilous effect of litter on skateboarders. And a surreal depiction of a teenager who literally ate an everything bagel -- and ended up vomiting monkeys, guitars and other unusual ingredients. However, the majority of the awards went to David and Noah Gray of Palmetto High School, who together won nine of the 13 awards -- including sharing a final prize for best film.
http://www.miamiherald.com/news/miami_dade/beaches/story/1061960.html
-- Entertainment Today (US), 18 May – Shane’s Inspiration
Tony Award winning actor, Joe Mantegna, currently starring in the TV series, Criminal Minds, hosted the annual Shane’s Inspiration Gala at the Beverly Wilshire Hotel This organization is dedicated to eliminating bias against children with disabilities, and creating accessible playgrounds and programs to foster acceptance of children with all abilities. Mantegna is also very active in the Special Olympics, and urges everyone to avoid using the “R Word” – which means we should think twice before using the disparaging and hurtful word, “retard”.
http://www.entertainmenttoday.net/content/view/792/45/ \
-- Seventeen Magazine - May Edition
Corporate Sponsorship / Partnerships
-- News Guide (US), 26 May – Lion’s Club Veterans & Memorial Day Parade
Navy Lieutenant Dr. Andy Baldwin and Olympic Gold Medalist gymnast Dominique Dawes highlighted the Lions Clubs Float on Monday, May 25 at the National Memorial Day Parade in Washington, D.C. Special Olympics athletes also joined the parade to celebrate the ongoing partnership between the Lions and Special Olympics to provide eye exams and glasses free of charge through the Healthy Athletes Opening Eyes initiative.
http://www.newsguide.us/health-medical/vision/Lions-Clubs-Veterans-Welcome-Reality-Show-Celebrity-Navy-Lieutenant-Dr-Andy-Baldwin-and-Olympic-Gold-Medalist-Dominique-Dawes-On-Lions-Float/