NBC Photo: Paul Drinkwater

During the interview, Obama was telling Leno about the White House bowling alley and how disappointed he was with his score of 129.  As the audience laughed and cheered, he added “It was like the Special Olympics or something.”  In case you don’t know, the Special Olympics, founded in 1968, is a global nonprofit organization serving 200 million individuals with intellectual disabilities.   Everyone continued laughing but there were some people who did not think it was funny.

The White House quickly recovered from the gaffe and, on his way back to Washington aboard Air Force One, the president called Tim Shriver, the chairman of the Special Olympics (son of founder Eunice Kennedy Shriver and nephew of Senator Edward Kennedy) to apologize.  Today on Good Morning America, Tim explained that Obama “expressed his disappointment and he apologized in a way that was very moving. He expressed that he did not intend to humiliate this population.”  Additionally, Shriver revealed that Obam has invited some of the Special Olympic athletes to the White House to bowl and play basketball.

The Tonight Show interview wasn’t all doom and gloom, though.  At one point, Leno asked if people playing basketball with Obama actually throw the game to allow the president to win.  Obama pursed his lips, pretended to be offended and added “I don’t see why they would throw the game except for all those Secret Service guys with guns around.”

Post from: EveryJoe

Obama Visits Leno, Offends Special Olympics

The Winter Games of the 2009 Special Olympics began on February 7 in Idaho. The Games, which give individuals with intellectual disabilities a chance to compete, are featuring almost 3000 athletes from 100 countries. Participants will compete in seven sports, including figure skating, speed skating, floor hockey, alpine skiing, cross-country skiing, shoeshowing, and snowboarding. The Games continue until February 13.

The Special Olympics were founded in 1968 by Eunice Kennedy Shriver, who had started a summer camp for those with intellectual disabilities at her home in Maryland in 1962. The first Winter Games were held in 1977. The organization is recognized by the International Olympic Committee, the only sports group permitted to use “Olympics” in its name.

^{(photo courtesy of the Special Olympics.)}

Post from: EveryJoe

Special Olympics Winter Games Begin

In honor of Mother’s Day this weekend, it’s fitting to take a look at the woman who founded the Special Olympics in 1968. A long-time advocate for better schools, programs, and acceptance for the mentally-challenged, Shriver started Camp Shriver, a camp for mentally-disabled children, at her family’s Maryland estate in 1962. She taught the campers to swim in the family pool and organized other sports activities.

Camp Shriver, now a collection of more than 300 camps, led to the creation of the Special Olympics in 1968. The first games were held in Chicago with 1000 athletes with intellectual disabilities from 26 US states and Canada, competing in athletics, floor hockey and aquatics.

Today, the Special Olympics programs serve 2.25 million people in 160 countries. The games include 30 summer and winter sports.

Happy Mother’s Day Mrs. Shriver…and to all “Light the Torch” readers.

^{(photo of Eunice Shriver with her daughter, Maria Shriver accepting the Lifetime Achievement Award from the 2007 Women’s Conference © Newscom)}

Post from: EveryJoe

Eunice Shriver: Mother of the Special Olympics

Sun Valley Resort will host Cross-Country Skiing and Snowshoeing on the Sun Valley Resort Golf Course. Both sports were originally scheduled to be held at Bogus Basin Ski Resort in Boise. Changes were necessary after the Technical Delegates representing Special Olympics International (SOI) determined that due to technical reasons and space restrictions at Bogus Basin, that Sun Valley’s options better serves the needs required to host these world class events. Bogus Basin, already approved by international standards, will remain the competition venue for Alpine Skiing.

The goals of these changes are to ensure that all competitions are conducted at the best suited venues that meet the needs of the athletes and guests. The addition of Sun Valley, along with the surrounding regions of Ketchum and Hailey, allows the Games to better showcase the entire state of Idaho, as competition venues will now stretch from Tamarack Resort in the north, through Boise, to Sun Valley in the east – over 300 miles. The increase in exposure statewide with the inclusion of the Sun Valley region will also enhance the economic impact to the state, which has already been estimated to be in the $50 million range.

Beyond competition venues, the GOC plans for many programs and receptions associated with the Games, to be hosted in the Sun Valley area. This will also increase volunteer opportunities, allowing more Idahoans to be directly involved with the Games and the Special Olympics movement.

2008 Games Revised

While re-evaluating the scope and size of the 2008 Invitational Winter Games, it is also announced that the sports of Figure Skating (Qwest Arena) and Speed Skating (Idaho IceWorld), both scheduled as test events in 2008 in Boise, have been postponed until a later date in the year, but remain sports and venues for the 2009 Games.

In addition, Floor Hockey, originally planned for Caven-Williams Field House on the campus of Boise State University, will be relocated for the 2008 Games to the Student Recreation Centre. There were challenges regarding the crown of the surface floor and other support services at Caven-Williams, which affected the Games budget. The GOC is currently exploring other venue opportunities to host Floor Hockey for the 2009 Games. In 2008 and 2009, Boise State University will also host Opening and Closing Ceremonies, several programs, athlete entertainment, Healthy Athletes, and food services.

GOC Chairman and CEO, Chip Fisher states, “We are so fortunate to have such overwhelming support for our plans and what is best for the athletes in 2008 and 2009. We are lucky to have such a willingness to accommodate our needs and have great partners in Bogus Basin, Boise State University, Idaho IceWorld, Qwest Arena, Tamarack Resort and now Sun Valley Resort.”

The 2008 Special Olympics Invitational Winter Games are scheduled for February 25-28 and will include approximately 495 athletes and coaches from 10 foreign countries and four U.S. states, competing in five sports. The 2009 Special Olympics World Winter Games will host 3000 athletes from 85 countries from February 6-13.

2008 Special Olympics Invitational Winter Games – Official Venues
Alpine Skiing – Bogus Basin Ski Resort, Boise, Idaho, USA
Cross-Country Skiing – Sun Valley Resort, Sun Valley, Idaho, USA
Floor Hockey – Student Recreation Centre, Boise State University, Boise, Idaho, USA
Snowboarding – Tamarack Resort, Tamarack, Idaho, USA
Snowshoeing – Sun Valley Resort, Sun Valley, Idaho, USA
Opening Ceremony – Taco Bell Arena, Boise State University, Boise, Idaho, USA
Closing Ceremony – Bronco Gymnasium, Boise State University, Boise, Idaho, USA

2009 Special Olympics World Winter Games – Official Venues
Alpine Skiing – Bogus Basin Ski Resort, Boise, Idaho, USA
Cross-Country Skiing – Sun Valley Resort, Sun Valley, Idaho, USA
Figure Skating – Qwest Arena, Boise, Idaho, USA
Floor Hockey – Site TBC, Idaho, USA
Snowboarding – Tamarack Resort, Tamarack, Idaho, USA
Snowshoeing – Sun Valley Resort, Sun Valley, Idaho, USA
Speed Skating – Idaho IceWorld, Boise, Idaho, USA
Opening Ceremony – Taco Bell Arena, Boise State University, Boise, Idaho, USA
Closing Ceremony – Taco Bell Arena, Boise State University, Boise, Idaho, USA

For more information:
Michele Walker
Senior Director, Communications – 2009 Special Olympics World Winter Games, Boise, ID, USA
Phone: (208) 377 7168 ~ Mobile: (208) 602 2642
michele.walker@2009WorldGames.org / www.2009worldgames.org

Chip Fisher
Chairman and CEO — 2009 Special Olympics World Winter Games, Boise, ID, USA
Phone: (208) 377 7151 ~ Mobile: (208) 481 2999

Source

Post from: EveryJoe

Press Release | Partnership Begins in 2008 with Special Olympics Invitational Games

This is aimed to create awareness on the abilities of athletes with intellectual disabilities throughout Europe and Eurasia. They are continually supported by clubs and federations that are recognised by UEFA.

Special Olympics and Paralympics are two separate organisations recognised by the International Olympic Committee. Special Olympics offers sports opportunities for individuals with intellectual disabilities of all ability levels. Paralympics gives opportunities to élite-level athletes with disabilities.

SOURCE

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6th annual Special Olympics European Football Week