PRESS RELEASE
December 8, 2006

Young soccer players give their all
to benefit Special Olympics athletes

(Great Falls, Montana) The Montana Olympic Development Program (ODP) is holding a 25-hour Soccer Marathon to benefit Special Olympics Montana athletes. The first annual Indoor Soccer Marathon will be held January 27 & 28, 2007 at the Montana Expo Park in Great Falls. 

The Olympic Development Program (ODP) is a national program which is designed to identify and develop talented, committed youth soccer players to represent their state, region, and country in soccer competitions. It is also intended to aid in the preparing and showcasing of the players as student/athletes for exposure into collegiate soccer programs. 

As many as 42 young soccer players from the Montana ODP will raise a minimum of $250 each to participate in the 25-hour marathon. All proceeds will go directly to Special Olympics Montana.

Special Olympics Montana is a non-profit organization that provides year-round sports training and athletic competition in a variety of Olympic-type sports for children and adults with intellectual disabilities, giving them continuing opportunities to develop physical fitness, demonstrate courage, experience joy and share gifts, skills and friendship with their families, other Special Olympics athletes and the community. .

Special Olympics Montana Vice President of Sports and Competition Dave Snuggs says, "We are very excited to be partnered with Montana ODP and their talented young soccer players. Their support of Special Olympics athletes demonstrates to us all that they are truly champions." 

Spectators will be able to watch the marathon from 10am to 10pm January 27 at the Montana Expo Park Trades and Industries building. 

For more information about the 25-hour soccer marathon, please call Darlene Bos at 406/216-5327 or visit www.montanaodp.org.  

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, Incorporated online at www.specialolympics.org