News

May 31, 2007

NYC PAVES WAY FOR GLOBAL EXPANSION PROGRAM NEW YORK – As part of the new Urban Strategy developed by Special Olympics International to expand services in major cities, Special Olympics – New York City will host the 19th Annual Metro Tournament on Saturday, June 2, 2007 at Riverbank State Park in Manhattan. Nearly1,000 athletes with intellectual disabilities from all five boroughs, Long Island, Hudson Valley and Connecticut will be led by an Olympic-style torch run and all of the accompanying Olympic pageantry as they compete in five different sports.

The Metro Tournament -- the largest single day event orchestrated by SONY – New York City Region – will include competitions in aquatics, basketball, powerlifting, track & field and volleyball. Three of the athletes competing at Metro this year have also been selected to represent Team USA at the Special Olympics World Games in Shanghai China this fall.

Joining the festivities at Opening Ceremonies will be NHL player with the Montreal Canadians, Chris Higgins (his sister is a Special Olympian swimmer competing at Metro); New York Rangers legend and NHL Hall of Famer, Rod Gilbert; All My Children’s Ambyr Childers (Colby Chandler), who has two Special Olympian cousins, and Guiding Light’s Kim Zimmer, along with NBA legend and sportscaster, Len Elmore. Yolanda Vega from the New York Lottery will emcee.

Also appearing at Opening Ceremonies will be NYC Sports Commissioner Kenneth Podziba and Matt Sapolin, Commissioner of the NYC Mayor’s Office for Persons with Disabilities. Manhattan Borough President, Scott M. Stringer, and Brooklyn Borough President, Marty Markowitz, will deliver brief remarks.

“It’s very exciting that New York City has been chosen as the first city to implement Special Olympics’ expansion plan for major cities across the globe. The success in our city will serve as a model for others,” says Michelle LeMay Santiago, Regional Director, Special Olympics - NYC. “Our goal is to double the number of athletes in New York City from 20,000 to 40,000 in five years. To accommodate these numbers, we are increasing the number of competitions we offer by recruiting more coaches, building partnerships and raising funds to pay for equipment, buses, uniforms and facilities.”
Special Olympics – NYC is expanding sports programs in the New York City public school system and building new community – based athletic programs in partnership with city agencies. They also are working closely on the Urban Strategy with Mayor Bloomberg, who has signed on as Honorary Chair of the initiative’s Advisory Committee.

“The Metro Tournament is a wonderful example of how urban challenges can be overcome to bring the New York City community together. The athletes, coaches, volunteers and corporate community all contribute to make this day a success,” says Neal Johnson, President & CEO of Special Olympics New York.

The Metro Tournament will begin with Opening Ceremonies at 10:00am. Competition starts at 11:30a.m. and continues until 3:30p.m. at Riverbank State Park at 145th Street and Riverside Drive in Manhattan. The Olympic Town will have music, games and other events throughout the day. Admission is free and open to the public. Athletes love and appreciate the support of fans.

Metro Tournament’s Presenting Sponsor is Goldman, Sachs & Co. Gold Sponsors – HIP and Pfizer; Silver Sponsors – Disney, Mattel, MetLife, NYBOT Futures & Options for Kids, and PricewaterhouseCoopers; Bronze Sponsors – CNN, JP Morgan; State Sponsors- New York State Lottery and NYSUT.



About Special Olympics New York (SONY)

More than 40,000 individuals with intellectual disabilities (ranging from Down syndrome, Autism and Cerebral Palsy, to other disabilities) participate in programs provided by Special Olympics New York, Inc. (SONY.) Through year-round sports training and competition, SONY offers continuing opportunities for athletes to develop physical fitness, demonstrate courage and experience the joy of achievement. Athletes train and compete in nine regions across New York State. This is accomplished with a network of 25,000 dedicated volunteers, including more that 4,000 certified coaches. SONY offers a statewide, three season program encompassing more than 400 events annually. SONY achieves its goal through quality sports training in 23 Olympic-style sports. Athletes can advance from local events to regional, state, national, and international competitions and train in 23 Olympic-style sports. All training and competitions are cost-free to the athletes, their families and caregivers.

For more information on Metro Tournament or for a full schedule of competitive events in you region, visit www.specialolympicsNY.org

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