Worcester to Host Annual Special Olympics Winter Games

Over 2,000 athletes to compete in area venues

Danvers, Mass.-Special OlympicsMassachusetts has announced that its annual Winter Games will be held in Worcester for the first time starting in 2004. This will also be the first year that the Winter and Spring Games have been combined to form one large competition-over 2,000 athletes will participate in eight different sports, including alpine skiing, snowboarding, figure skating and basketball and ten-pin bowling at several top-notch athletic facilities in Worcester and the surrounding area, including Wachusett Mountain and the Worcester Centrum Centre.

"We are delighted that our athletes have the opportunity to compete at the many first-class venues in the Worcester area," said Robert Johnson, president and CEO of Special Olympics Massachusetts. "We are very appreciative of the warm welcome we have already received from the community and we are certainly looking forward to making this a great event for our athletes and the for City of Worcester."

Ralph Crowley, Jr., president of Worcester-based Polar Beverages, will be serving as the honorary chair of the Winter Games committee. Additional honorary board members will be announced this fall.

City Manager Thomas R. Hoover said he was thrilled with Special Olympics Massachusetts' decision to relocate its Winter Games to Worcester. "We look forward to welcoming the Special Olympics athletes, their coaches and their families to our city," Hoover said. "We are committed to making these Winter Games the best ever!"
With thousands of athletes, family members and spectators expected to attend, the Games will have a positive economic impact on local businesses in Worcester and the surrounding areas.

ABOUT SPECIAL OLYMPICS MASSACHUSETTS
Special Olympics is an international year-round program of sports training and competition for individuals with mental retardation or closely related developmental disabilities. More than one million athletes in over 160 countries train and compete in 26 Olympic-type summer and winter sports. In Massachusetts, over 8,500 athletes train and compete year-round. Founded in 1968 by Eunice Kennedy Shriver, Special Olympics provides people with mental retardation continuing opportunities to develop fitness, demonstrate courage, and experience joy as they participate in the sharing of gifts, and friendship with their families and community. Individuals interested in getting involved can call 978-774-1501 or logon to www.specialolympicsMA.org.