Winter Games
Schedule of Events

For Immediate Release
Date:               January 5, 2007

Contacts:         
Donna Ham, Public Relations Director, 918-481-1234

Special Olympics Oklahoma Athletes Prepare for
11th Annual Winter Games in Norman

Statewide.      Special Olympics athletes from 14 areas in Oklahoma are preparing for the eleventh annual State Winter Games to be held January 12-13, 2007 on the campus of the University of Oklahoma and surrounding communities. More than 1,800 athletes are registered to attend Winter Games for two days of intense competition in Volleyball, Basketball, and Bowling. 

The University of Oklahoma opens Huston Huffman Center for the two-day competitions. Every year, many volunteers from OU’s administration, faculty, and student body  assist in planning and coordinating this event on campus.

Special Olympics athletes train year round. The athletes began Area competitions in September for Winter Games in Norman. Athletes train a minimum of 8 weeks in a sport, and compete at a local or sectional level to be eligible to advance to compete at the State level at Winter Games. Nearly 400 volunteer coaches will attend Winter Games with the athletes. In addition to the coaches, hundreds of volunteers will assist the coordination of the event.

Many volunteers compete alongside the athletes in Unified Sports. Unified Sports is a program that combines equal numbers of athletes with and without intellectual disabilities, of similar age and ability, on teams that compete against other Unified Sports teams. Unified Sports is an important program because it expands sports opportunities for athletes seeking new challenges and dramatically increases integration in the community. Unified Sports provides a valuable sports opportunity to individuals with intellectual disabilities and increases public awareness of the spirit and skills of the athletes. Some volunteers make life-long friendships with their Special Olympics Unified Sports partners.

The University of Oklahoma opens Huston Huffman Center for the two-day competitions. Every year, many volunteers from OU’s administration, faculty, and student body  assist in planning and coordinating this event on campus.

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Special Olympics Oklahoma
The Mission of Special Olympics is to provide a year-round program of sports training and athletic competition in a variety of Olympic-type sports for children and adults with intellectual disabilities [mental retardation] and other closely related developmental disabilities. Thanks to Oklahomans, more than 9,500 Special Olympics athletes participate in more than 100 competitions and events on an annual basis. Competition is offered in 15 official sports and Motor Activities Training Programs. More than 1,700 coaches devote their time and experience to the athletes. There are thousands of volunteer opportunities available annually. Visit www.sook.org or call 800-722-9004 for more information.

Special Olympics Oklahoma
6835 S. Canton Avenue
Tulsa, OK 74136-3429
+1 (918) 481-1234
Fax: +1 (918) 496-1515

Oklahoma City Office:
3701 SE 15th Street
Del City, Oklahoma 73115
+1 (405) 670-3456
Fax: +1 (405) 670-3456