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Special Olympics Whitefish Athlete, Kyler Morrison to attend Global Congress in Morocco

[Great Falls, MT – May 10, 2010]  Kyler Morrison, 23 year old Special Olympics Whitefish Montana athlete, Global Messenger and member of the Special Olympics Montana Board of Directors has recently been selected to represent Montana and the United States at the 2010 Special Olympics Global Congress in Marrakesh, Morocco, June 6-10.  Morrison is one of 25 United States athletes and one of 66 athletes globally representing seven regions around the world (Africa, Asia Pacific, East Asia, Europe Eurasia, Latin America, Middle East North Africa and North America) attending the Global Congress.  Morrison is charged with helping set the direction for the future of the Special Olympics movement which, as the leading global organization for people with intellectual disabilities, currently serves more than 3.1 million athletes around the world. 

When asked how he felt about being selected, Morrison said, "I am really excited about going to Morocco to work with people from all over the world and represent my fellow athletes. I feel honored that I was picked to go and share my thoughts about helping our program grow. It’s hard for me to imagine what this trip will be like, but I look forward to finding out! I’m very thankful to Special Olympics for this opportunity and for everything they have helped me accomplish."

Your Majesty King Mohammed VI and Your Royal Highness Princess Lala Amina of the Kingdom of Morocco will host and help underwrite the 2010 Special Olympics Global Congress which will include more than 500 delegates from nearly 170 countries.  As one of the most important and historic events in Special Olympics 42 year history, this will be the first time in nearly 10 years where critical stakeholders of the Special Olympics movement from around the world will come together to align ideas, people and program with common vision and in a spirit of collaboration and celebration. 

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"The Special Olympics movement is an organization of sport, social and humanitarian work of the highest order," said HRH Princess Amina.  "This Global Congress is imperative to the progress of the noble worldwide endeavors of Special Olympics, and it needs our full engagement and unconditional support."

For the past 10 years, Special Olympics has grown rapidly throughout the world, not just in size but in scope and magnitude for people with intellectual disabilities in the areas of health, education, family support, and attitude change.  In addition, Special Olympics has been influencing policy change in countries around the world to better serve people with intellectual disabilities, who represent the largest disability population on earth.

"While we have had unprecedented growth around the world and in Montana, estimates suggest that there remain upwards of 10,000 more people in Montana and nearly 200 million people with intellectual and developmental disabilities around the world that could be served if we had the resources to do so," said Special Olympics Montana President/CEO Bob Norbie. "Athletes, program leadership, board members, volunteers, sponsors, families and other stakeholders will now have opportunity to envision the future, expand our reach and continue to create a world of respect, acceptance and inclusion through the power of sports and passion for people with intellectual disabilities around the globe," said Norbie.

In addition to Kyler Morrison attending the Global Congress from Montana, Special Olympics Montana Chief Operating Officer Vicki Dunham and President/CEO Bob Norbie will participate.  Bob Norbie is also one of forty members who serves on the International Board of Directors for Special Olympics.  see the photos!

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Contact:  Bob Norbie, President
bnorbie@somt.org

Special Olympics Montana
P.O. Box 3507
Great Falls, MT  59403
1-800-242-6876