http://www.specialolympics.org/singlerssfeed.aspx?cid=33Special Olympics 2009 World Winter Gameshttp://www.specialolympics.org/WGU_afghanistan.aspx<p>Special Olympics Afghanistan athletes who once had little hope, no confidence and hardly a dream for the future are now fully engaged in life, have found enjoyment in sports and have aspirations for the future.</p>Will SchermerhornMon, 28 Sep 2009 04:00:00 GMThttp://www.specialolympics.org/biden_visit.aspx<p>U.S. Vice President Joe Biden will lead a Presidential Delegation to the 2009 Special Olympics World Winter Games in Boise, Idaho on Thursday, February 12.</p>Editor 1 SOIMon, 02 Nov 2009 05:00:00 GMThttp://www.specialolympics.org/WGU_sports.aspx<p>More than 2,000 Special Olympics athletes from almost 100 countries competed in seven Olympic-type winter sports at the 2009 World Winter Games: Alpine skiing, cross-country skiing, snowboarding, figure skating, speed skating, snowshoeing and floor hockey. Special Olympics is not about “swifter, higher, stronger”; it is about achieving one’s personal best. Athletes showed the benefits of months of training as they strived for new personal heights, and were rewarded by specially designed World Games medals.</p>Editor 1 SOIMon, 02 Nov 2009 05:00:00 GMThttp://www.specialolympics.org/WGU_SOGB_ski_team.aspx<p>The 10-member Special Olympics Great Britain Alpine ski team is a motley crew, with some very intriguing pastimes. These accomplished skiers range in age from 18 to 41, and are ready to do their best at the 2009 World Winter Games.</p>Editor 1 SOIFri, 30 Oct 2009 04:00:00 GMThttp://www.specialolympics.org/WGU_scarves.aspx<p>What started out as a simple project to provide a warm scarf to each of the more than 2,000 Special Olympics athletes participating in the 2009 Special Olympics World Winter Games in Boise, Idaho, has grown into an international phenomenon. Instead of 2,000 scarves, the Special Olympics Games Organizing Committee has received more than 60,000 scarves – and hundreds pour in each day! It is a true testament to the overwhelming support behind the Special Olympics movement and its athletes. <br /><br /></p>Editor 1 SOIMon, 02 Nov 2009 05:00:00 GMThttp://www.specialolympics.org/unity_rally.aspx<p>Global Youth Unity Rally<br />On 9 February 2009 in Boise, Idaho, celebrity supporters of Special Olympics will host a two-hour interactive show around the issues of tolerance and acceptance. The rally will be a fast-paced, multi-media event resulting in a call to action for young people relating to Special Olympics and advocating on behalf of respect, dignity and inclusion for all that participants will carry back to their home communities and schools. <br /></p>Ida MigginsTue, 02 Jun 2009 04:00:00 GMThttp://www.specialolympics.org/world_games.aspx<p>World Games celebrate the year-round efforts and achievements of our athletes, but they also create lasting legacies in the countries that host them.</p>Editor 1 SOIMon, 28 Sep 2009 04:00:00 GMThttp://www.specialolympics.org/press_release_2009_wg_celebs.aspx<p>Special Olympics announced today the several celebrities, Olympic and professional athletes, senior government leaders and other key newsmakers that are scheduled to attend the 2009 Special Olympics World Winter Games in Boise, Idaho, from 7-13 February. These celebrity guests will participate in the Opening and Closing Ceremonies, Global Youth Rally and other events that week, helping cheer on the nearly 2,500 athletes from more than 100 countries that will be competing in the World Games.<br /></p>Will SchermerhornMon, 28 Sep 2009 04:00:00 GMThttp://www.specialolympics.org/press_release_dhl_delivers_flame_to_us.aspx<p>Under the care and protection of DHL, the world’s leading express and logistics company, the Flame of Hope for the Special Olympics is scheduled to arrive in Miami, Florida, USA on January 13, for its first stop in the United States as part of the Global Law Enforcement Torch Run®.<br /></p>Will SchermerhornWed, 11 Nov 2009 05:00:00 GMThttp://www.specialolympics.org/The-Global-Law-Enforcement-Torch-Run.aspx<p>The Flame of Hope for the 2009 Special Olympics World Winter Games was lit on 12 November 2008 in Athens, Greece, formally launching the Global Law Enforcement Torch Run®. In keeping with Olympic tradition, the torch was lit by the sun's rays before embarking on a three-month journey around the world to Idaho, USA, the site of the World Games. <br /></p>Editor 1 SOIFri, 30 Oct 2009 04:00:00 GMThttp://www.specialolympics.org/WGU_charles_howard.aspx<p>Charles Howard may be an accomplished snowboarder, but it is his personality that makes him a particularly outstanding athlete. As a member of the Special Olympics USA snowboarding team, Charles exudes self-confidence and a sense of humor that resounds with his teammates.</p>Will SchermerhornMon, 28 Sep 2009 04:00:00 GMThttp://www.specialolympics.org/WGU_hosttown.aspx<p>The Special Olympics Host Town program provides a soothing respite for hundreds of athletes, transforming bewilderment into enchantment, differences into shared experiences. For the host country, it is also an opportunity to engage entire communities as welcome centers and for the people of those communities to be both teachers and students. “We all need the lessons of pure joy these athletes bring with them,” says Belgium Host Town leader Judi Fuller.</p>Editor 1 SOIFri, 30 Oct 2009 04:00:00 GMThttp://www.specialolympics.org/WGU_opening_ceremony.aspx<p>A star-studded ensemble and thousands of fans welcomed more than 2,000 athletes from nearly 100 countries on 7 February at the Idaho Center in Nampa, Idaho, for the Opening Ceremony of the 2009 Special Olympics World Winter Games.</p>Editor 1 SOIMon, 02 Nov 2009 05:00:00 GMThttp://www.specialolympics.org/WGU_thanks_EKS.aspx<p>Special Olympics invites each of you to extend your own personal “thank you” to Eunice Kennedy Shriver, founder of the movement. Your personal “thank you” to Mrs. Shriver can be submitted as a written thank you, a video thank you, or even an audio thank you! Just join the Fan Community Group, “Thank Mrs. Shriver,” and share your personal appreciation and gratitude. </p>Editor 1 SOIMon, 02 Nov 2009 05:00:00 GMThttp://www.specialolympics.org/profile_nadal.aspx<p>People may have rolled their eyes when Special Olympics Venezuela coach Juan Nadal suggested what many thought was impossible, but this sports innovator wasn’t deterred. He introduced the sport of snowshoeing in a country that has tropical weather year-round – a first for the Special Olympics Latin America region. Now they’re wide-eyed enthusiasts and Nadal is helping other countries in the region – Puerto Rico and El Salvador – develop their own snowshoeing programs. </p>Editor 1 SOIMon, 02 Nov 2009 05:00:00 GMThttp://www.specialolympics.org/WGU_celeb_floor_hockey.aspx<p>Special Olympic floor hockey teams from Canada and the United States had a few extra players backing them up for the Celebrity Floor Hockey Competition at Expo Idaho on 8 February, including Johnny Knoxville and Eddie Barbanell (also a Special Olympics athlete), co-stars in the film, The Ringer”; Olympic athlete Donna de Varona; Special Olympics Chairman and CEO Timothy Shriver; Coca-Cola Chairman Muhtar Kent; and NBA great Sam Perkins.</p>Will SchermerhornMon, 28 Sep 2009 04:00:00 GMThttp://www.specialolympics.org/WGU_athlete_officials.aspx<p>Athletes ready for a new challenge can also become officials through the Special Olympics Officials Program for Athletes. Athletes who become certified officials may also qualify to serve as officials in competitions within the national Governing Body or International Federation. At the 2009 Special Olympics World Winter Games, there will be more athlete officials than at any previous Special Olympics World Winter Games. And for the first time athletes from Jamaica and South Africa will officiate floor hockey at World Winter Games.</p>Editor 1 SOIMon, 02 Nov 2009 05:00:00 GMThttp://www.specialolympics.org/WGU_volunteers.aspx<p>It all began with the allure of excitement, the potential for new friendships or the thrill of a once-in-a-lifetime experience. But for all of the 3,000 volunteers at the 2009 Special Olympics World Winter Games in Boise, Idaho, USA, it was an extraordinary way to give back to their community or the organization that gave their children with intellectual disabilities the chance to have fun, earn respect and be accepted in their communities.</p>Editor 1 SOIMon, 02 Nov 2009 05:00:00 GMThttp://www.specialolympics.org/WGU_firsts.aspx<p>The Special Olympics movement continues to grow and evolve, opening new doors and shattering old stereotypes. The 2009 World Winter Games offer ample evidence of that, as Special Olympics and its athletes take on new roles and challenges. This World Winter Games boasts an impressive list of "firsts," groundbreaking moments in our ongoing evolution. </p>Editor 1 SOIMon, 02 Nov 2009 05:00:00 GMThttp://www.specialolympics.org/WGU_flame.aspx<p>What could be more appropriate than having the musical group, FLAME, perform at the 2009 Special Olympics World Winter Games in Boise, Idaho? After all, the group got the inspiration for its name from the Olympic Flame. But even more inspirational is that the 11-member rock band is composed of people with developmental/physical disabilities. </p>Editor 1 SOIFri, 30 Oct 2009 04:00:00 GMThttp://www.specialolympics.org/WGU_first_medals.aspx<p>Special Olympics Switzerland swept the gold, sliver and bronze medals in the snowboarding advanced giant slalom competition on 9 February 2009. The first medals of the 2009 Special Olympics World Winter Games marked the start of competition in the largest sporting event to be held in Idaho this year. </p>Editor 1 SOIFri, 30 Oct 2009 04:00:00 GMThttp://www.specialolympics.org/WGU_global_youth_rally.aspx<p>The electrifying Global Youth Rally, one of the non-competition highlights of the 2009 Special Olympics World Winter Games, drove the point home that young people across the globe can work together to eradicate discrimination against people with intellectual disabilities. </p>Editor 1 SOIFri, 30 Oct 2009 04:00:00 GMThttp://www.specialolympics.org/WGU_profile_bonilla.aspx<p>Thanks to coach Victor Bonilla, Special Olympics Puerto Rico athletes, who have never before competed in a Special Olympics World Winter Games, will finally get their chance in 2009. Last year, Special Olympics Puerto Rico asked its coaches if any of them would be interested in introducing a new winter sport – floor hockey. The fledgling teams would face off in competition at a national qualification tournament, and the winning team would be eligible to represent their country for the first time at a World Winter Games. Bonilla was the first coach to respond, eager to build a new sport and a new team from scratch.</p>Editor 1 SOITue, 17 Nov 2009 05:00:00 GMThttp://www.specialolympics.org/WGU_video_charles_howard.aspx<p>Charles Howard may be an accomplished snowboarder, but it is his personality that makes him a particularly outstanding athlete. As a member of the Special Olympics USA snowboarding team, Charles exudes self-confidence and a sense of humor that resounds with his teammates. At the 2009 World Winter Games, he lit the cauldron at Opening Ceremony and won a silver medal in the Snowboarding Advanced Giant Slalom</p>Will SchermerhornMon, 28 Sep 2009 04:00:00 GMThttp://www.specialolympics.org/WGU_overview.aspx<p>The 2009 World Winter Games will be the largest international sporting and humanitarian event of the year, with more than 2,000 athletes from almost 100 countries, including Afghanistan, Cuba, New Zealand, Malaysia, China, Serbia, Kazakhstan, Iran and even Jamaica competing in seven winter sports from 7-13 February. For the first time athletes from Somalia, Comoro Islands and Djibouti will compete in a Special Olympics World Games. </p>Editor 1 SOIMon, 02 Nov 2009 05:00:00 GMThttp://www.specialolympics.org/WGU_healthy_hearing.aspx<p>Special Olympics athlete Bill Lutz has had hearing difficulty his entire life and trouble with his hearing aids for the past few years. When Special Olympics Healthy Hearing came to Boise during the World Winter Games, volunteer health-care professionals fitted him with brand-new hearing devices free of charge.</p>Editor 1 SOIFri, 30 Oct 2009 04:00:00 GMThttp://www.specialolympics.org/WGU_kyrgyz_kindness.aspx<p>Special Olympics celebrates joy and there was no greater joy than when strangers opened their hearts and arms at the Sun Valley Cross Country venue to two athletes from the Kyrgyz Republic. Through their generous efforts, they were able to compete.</p>Editor 1 SOIMon, 02 Nov 2009 05:00:00 GMThttp://www.specialolympics.org/WGU_twins.aspx<p>Special Olympics unites the world, and at the 2009 World Winter Games in Idaho, it reunited twin brothers separated by time and thousands of miles. Albert Kirchmayr and his twin brother Wilhelm (Willi) hadn’t seen each other for three years until they reunited on 11 February at the World Games. </p>Editor 1 SOIMon, 02 Nov 2009 05:00:00 GMThttp://www.specialolympics.org/slideshow_global_torch_run_2009.aspx<p>With the logistical support of DHL, official sponsor of the Global Torch Run, the Flame of Hope will travel to 13 cities across five continents, bringing with it the spirit of the Special Olympics global movement. The Torch Run will culminate on 7 February in Boise, Idaho, at the Opening Ceremony of the 2009 Special Olympics World Winter Games.</p>Will SchermerhornMon, 16 Nov 2009 05:00:00 GMThttp://www.specialolympics.org/WGU_slideshow_opening_ceremony.aspx<p>At the Opening Ceremony for the 2009 Spcial Olympics World Winter Games, more than 2,000 athletes showed their pride, spirit and excitement as the stage was set for a week of competition and cameraderie.</p>Will SchermerhornMon, 16 Nov 2009 05:00:00 GMThttp://www.specialolympics.org/baf_wwg_slideshow.aspx<p>The 2009 Special Olympics Winter World Games had more than 2,000 Speical Olympics athletes from across 100 countries competing in seven Olympic type winter sports.</p>Will SchermerhornMon, 16 Nov 2009 05:00:00 GMThttp://www.specialolympics.org/WGU_host_town_slideshow.aspx<p>2009 World Winter Games Opening Ceremony.</p>Will SchermerhornMon, 28 Sep 2009 04:00:00 GMThttp://www.specialolympics.org/WGU_profile_yao_nan.aspx<p>Chinese professional speed skater Yao Nan had limited knowledge about intellectual disabilities, and the mistaken impression that people with intellectual disabilities couldn’t do very much, let alone learn how to skate. Then she went to the 2001 Special Olympics World Winter Games in Alaska and the athletes’ ability took her breath away. When she got back home to China, Yao signed up to be a coach.</p>Will SchermerhornFri, 11 Sep 2009 04:00:00 GMThttp://www.specialolympics.org/WGU_korean_crockpot.aspx<p>When the Special Olympics Korea speed skaters ate sandwiches served for lunch at Idaho Ice World, it was the first time they had tasted American food. They were grateful for the new and exotic experience, but once was enough. Boise native Hyunsoo Cho, 17, the Korean interpreter for the speed skating venue, decided to take action. She contacted her father, the Vice President of the Idaho Korean Association, and he mobilized the large Korean population in the state. Kitchens began heating up throughout Boise as Korean families came to the rescue, preparing traditional meals.</p>Will SchermerhornTue, 15 Sep 2009 04:00:00 GMThttp://www.specialolympics.org/WGU_Martha_Hill.aspx<p>Martha Hill tells the story of her dentist, Dr. Dan Humiston, the only provider in her hometown of Sheboygan, Wisconsin, who treats people with intellectual disabilities on medical assistance programs. While she is not on medical assistance herself, Hill has friends who are, and who have had difficulty finding health-care providers willing to help them. </p>Editor 1 SOIFri, 30 Oct 2009 04:00:00 GMThttp://www.specialolympics.org/WGU_matp.aspx<p>On 12 February, the first Special Olympics Motor Activities Training Program (MATP) Challenge Day ever held at a World Winter Games took place in Boise, Idaho. It also was the first time Special Olympics Idaho has conducted MATP, as they continue to reach more individuals within this population.</p>Editor 1 SOIFri, 30 Oct 2009 04:00:00 GMThttp://www.specialolympics.org/WGU_kuwait_skater.aspx<p>"When I come to Special Olympics, it’s like coming home to my place,” says Special Olympics Kuwait speed skater Ali Taher. “A place where I belong.”</p>Editor 1 SOIMon, 02 Nov 2009 05:00:00 GMThttp://www.specialolympics.org/WGU_profile_Sedelkova.aspx<p>When Special Olympics Russia began recruiting coaches for Special Olympics in 1992, people were hesitant, said Anna Sedelkova. “Not me,” she declared. “I was delighted to help give students more sports opportunities. And after working with these athletes, I will never leave them. They are like gifts from God to the world,” she said.</p>Editor 1 SOIMon, 02 Nov 2009 05:00:00 GMThttp://www.specialolympics.org/WGU_VP_WWG_visit.aspx<p>During a visit to the 2009 Special Olympics World Winter Games in Boise, Idaho, on 12 February, U.S. Vice President Joe Biden announced that Kareem Dale, a former member of Obama's campaign in charge of coordinating the vote of disabled Americans, has been named the special assistant to the president for disabilities policy.</p>Editor 1 SOIMon, 02 Nov 2009 05:00:00 GMT