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Chih Hua Liu developed nausea and pain in his left eye as he prepared to compete. The results of his vision screening, however, surprised even the veteran volunteer doctors at Healthy Athletes.
"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.”
When Special Olympics Russia began recruiting coaches for Special Olympics in 1992, people were hesitant, said Anna Sedelkova. “Not me. These athletes are like gifts from God to the world.”
Alexander Rogov had to face the reality of not achieving his dream because of an injury at the World Winter Games, but had the courage and spirit to support his teammates.
Professional speed skater Yao Nan thought people with intellectual disabilities couldn’t do much, let alone learn how to skate. Then she went to a Special Olympics Games and the athletes’ ability took her breath away.
When Special Olympics Korea speed skaters had their first taste of American food, once was enough. Boise native Hyunsoo Cho, the Korean interpreter for the venue, decided to take action.
Without access to health-care providers who accept medical assistance reimbursement, people with intellectual disabilities often go without care.
Athletes received free dental care treatment at the World Winter Games, thanks to the partnership between Special Olympics Healthy Athletes and "Miles of Smiles" of Boise.
On 12 February, the first Special Olympics Motor Activities Training Program Challenge Day ever held at a World Winter Games took place in Boise, Idaho.
Declaring special needs advocacy a "civil rights movement", U.S. Vice President Biden announced the appointment of a special assistant to the president for disabilities policy.
Albert Kirchmayr and his twin brother, Special Olympics athlete Wilhelm, who hadn’t seen each other for three years, and lived thousands of miles apart, were reunited at the 2009 World Winter Games.
Special Olympics athlete Bill Lutz had hearing difficulty and trouble with his hearing aids. That all changed when Healthy Hearing volunteers fitted him with brand-new hearing devices free of charge.
Strangers opened their hearts and arms at the cross country skiing venue to two athletes from the Kyrgyz Republic, allowing them to compete in World Winter Games.
Special Olympics Switzerland swept the gold, sliver and bronze medals in the snowboarding advanced giant slalom for the first medals of the 2009 World Winter Games.
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.
The Global Youth Rally drove the point home that young people across the globe can work together to eradicate discrimination against people with intellectual disabilities.
The Sports Experience allows you to experience the talents and personalities of Special Olympics athletes while communicating the role of the movement in the lives of people with intellectual disabilities.
A star-studded ensemble and thousands of fans welcomed more than 2,000 athletes from nearly 100 countries on 7 February at the Opening Ceremony of the 2009 World Winter Games.
At the 2009 World Winter Games Opening Ceremony, athletes from around the world showed their pride, spirit and excitement as the stage was set for a week of competition and cameraderie.
The group FLAME, which performed at Opening Ceremony, got its name from the Olympic Flame. But even more inspirational is that the band is composed of people with disabilities.
The Global Law Enforcement Torch Run ended its three-month, 37,000-mile journey at the Opening Ceremony of the 2009 World Winter Games on 7 February 2009.
This month's World Winter Games in Boise, Idaho, is the largest sporting and humanitarian event in the United States in 2009.
Special Olympics floor hockey teams from Canada and the United States had a few extra special players backing them up for the Celebrity Floor Hockey Competition at Expo Idaho on 8 February.
Thanks to resourceful and determined coach Victor Bonilla, Special Olympics Puerto Rico athletes, who have never before competed in a World Winter Games, finally got their chance in 2009.
At the 2009 Special Olympics World Winter Games, there will be more athlete officials than at any previous World Winter Games.
When Special Olympics Venezuela coach Juan Nadal suggested introducing snowshoeing in a country that has tropical weather year-round, people were skeptical. Now they're wide-eyed enthusiasts.
The 3,000 volunteers at the World Winter Games are finding that in addition to an opportunity to give back, the experience has changed them. “I have come to realize that nothing is impossible," says one.
The Special Olympics Host Town program provides a soothing respite for hundreds of athletes, transforming bewilderment into enchantment, differences into shared experiences.
Idaho families opened their homes and hearts to Special Olympics athletes from around the world through the Host Town Program.
Send your personal “thank you” to Special Olympics founder Eunice Kennedy Shriver for turning her vision into a global movement.
Special Olympics continues to grow and evolve, opening new doors and shattering old stereotypes. The 2009 World Winter Games offer ample evidence of that with an impressive list of "firsts."
When Special Olympics asked people to send in hand-knitted scarves for the 2009 World Winter Games, people responded in a big, big, big way.
Special Olympics Great Britain's ski team has a character all its own -- a spirited mix of talent, individualism and all-out enthusiasm.
World Games athletes will be showing the benefits of months of training as they strive for new personal heights, and to be rewarded by specially designed World Games medals.
The most recent Special Olympics World Games was the 2007 Summer Games in Shanghai, China.
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