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PRESS
RELEASE
August 10, 2006
Special Olympics Montana Athletes
Going to Shanghai, China
 For 2007 World Summer Games
(Great
Falls,
Montana) Shanghai, in the People's Republic of China, will play host to the Special Olympics World Games on October 2-11, 2007. The event will mark the first time the world Summer Games will be held in Asia, and only the second time they will be held outside the United States.
Shanghai will be transformed into an Olympic Village to host some 7,000 athletes, up to 40,000 coaches and volunteers from around the world, as well as family members, friends, and spectators. This event promises to highlight thrilling athletic competition, exciting live entertainment, and provide experiences that will generate lifetime memories.
Special Olympics athletes of all ability levels will compete in more than 20 different Special Olympics and Olympic-type sports, such as aquatics, athletics (track and field), basketball, bocce, bowling, cycling, equestrian, football (soccer), golf, gymnastics, and powerlifting.
Montana is proudly sending three athletes to Team USA. Michelle Hardy of Billings and Stuart Brownlow of Helena will each compete in track and field. Tawny Gray of Alberton
and Julie Bertelsen, of Bozeman, will compete in equestrian events.
Bertelsen says she and her whole family are so excited about her selection. "I do believe in miracles!" Hardy is on the phone with everyone she knows with the announcement, "I'm going to China!" So is Brownlow, who is happily telling everyone, "I've been picked!"
First alternates are Hyrum Lindsay of Helena and Shyoming Minor of Billings in track and field. Second alternates are Kristie Olson of Billings and Anton Veverka of Richey in track and field. Hilary Benjamin of Missoula is
the alternate in equestrian.
Selected athletes will attend the Team USA training camp in Nashville, TN in July 2007.
2007
World Games website...
Shanghai
Travel Guide...
About
Special Olympics
Special Olympics
is an international organization that changes lives by promoting
understanding, acceptance and inclusion between people with
and without intellectual disabilities. Through year-round
sports training and athletic competition and other related
programming for 1.4 million children and adults with intellectual
disabilities in more than 150 countries, Special Olympics
has created a model community that celebrates people's diverse
gifts. Founded in 1968 by Eunice Kennedy Shriver, Special
Olympics provides people with intellectual disabilities
continuing opportunities to realize their potential, develop
physical fitness, demonstrate courage and experience joy
and friendship. There is no cost to participate in Special
Olympics. Visit Special Olympics online at
www.specialolympics.org
Contact: Risė Pelloni, Sports & Training
rpelloni@somt.org
Special Olympics Montana
PO Box 3507
Great Falls, MT 59403
1-800-242-6876
406-216-5327
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