For Immediate Release
June 9, 2008  

(Great Falls, Montana) Special Olympics Montana, a 38-year-old movement that enables children and adults with intellectual disabilities to train for life through sports has announced the relocation of the 2008 State Basketball Tournament. Originally scheduled for November 6 - 8 in Havre, the State Basketball Tournament has seen an increase in participants for six consecutive years. The 2008 Tournament preliminary numbers had already exceeded 600 and were still climbing as of March 1, 2008 when we reached the lodging capacity for Havre and the surrounding communities.

"Although we are very sad that we were unable to produce the tournament in Havre, we are excited to see the huge increase in participation for 2008. Just a couple of years ago we were hoping to hit the 500 mark and now to be approaching 650, it's fantastic!" said Dave Snuggs, Vice President, Sports and Competition, Special Olympics Montana.

Over the past several months several cities throughout the Treasure State have been considered as possible tournament locations.

"Due to the record growth of the tournament, we are now forced to look specifically at cities that have the lodging capacity to service up to 1,500 athletes, coaches and family members rather than our original number of 1,000. These cities include Great Falls, Missoula, Bozeman, Billings, Butte and Helena, which served as the tournament location for the past three years. We are currently finalizing the details with a new location and an announcement will be forthcoming in a couple of weeks," said Snuggs.

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.