| Media Note Office of the Spokesman Washington, DC March 9, 2001 2001 Special Olympics World Winter Games in Anchorage, Alaska The 2001 Special Olympics World Winter Games are under way March 4 through 11 in Anchorage, Alaska. With approximately 2000 athletes with developmental disabilities and more than 740 coaches from 70 countries participating, this winter’s Special Olympics is the largest sporting event in Alaska’s history. Funding from the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, which contributed $1,446,500, provided housing for all athletes. According to Laverne Johnson, a Senior Project Specialist for the bureau’s Office of Citizen Exchanges, the housing project is a "huge endeavor" because of the number of athletes involved. The objective of the Special Olympics is to provide athletic competition and year-round training for children and adults with developmental disabilities. Since 1968, when Eunice Kennedy Shriver organized the First International Special Olympic Games at Soldier Field in Chicago, more than one million athletes around the world have participated in the Special Olympics. International-level competitions in seven official winter sports are taking place in Anchorage, Eagle River, and Girdwood. Athletes are competing in alpine skiing, cross-country skiing, figure skating, floor hockey, snowboarding, snowshoeing, and speed skating. Johnson, who represented the Department of State at the Special Olympics earlier this week, said, "We are very proud to support the Special Olympics. The event is one that, I think, everyone should experience at least once in his or her life. The Special Olympics gives an opportunity for individuals with developmental disabilities to showcase their talents. Its theme is ‘If I cannot win, let me be brave in my attempt,’ and that says it all… The athletes are putting their hearts into it." Media Contact: Catherine L. Stearns Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, U.S. Department of State (202) 619-5053 or cstearns@pd.state.gov The Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs of the U.S. Department of State fosters mutual understanding between the United States and other countries through international educational and training programs. The bureau does so by promoting personal, professional, and institutional ties between private citizens and organizations in the United States and abroad, as well as by presenting U.S. history, society, art and culture in all its diversity to overseas audiences. Further information is available at [end] Released on March 9, 2001 |
 | |||
|
