Special Olympics return to resort on Feb. 22-24

The Daily Inter Lake

Special Olympics Montana will conduct its State Winter Games Feb. 22-24 at Whitefish Mountain Resort.

According to a press release from Whitefish Mountain Resort, this winter marks the 14th consecutive year that the Games have been held at the resort.

Special Olympics Montana is a 38-year-old program that enables children and adults with intellectual disabilities to train for life through sports.

Some 315 athletes, along with their coaches and chaperones from more than 25 teams, will compete over the three-day period.

Competitions will include alpine skiing, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing and beginner alpine snowboarding. Advanced slalom and advanced giant slalom also will be introduced for the 2009 games, and a one-day floor hockey team competition will take place at The Wave in Whitefish.

Special events such as the opening and closing ceremonies, athlete victory banquet, dance/carnival, and a family luncheon also are scheduled.

In the past, the opening ceremony and Parade of Athletes have been held in the upper village at the resort.

This year, the parade will be held at Depot Park in downtown Whitefish at 4 p.m. Feb. 22.

The public is encouraged to come and support the athletes.

Special Olympics Montana relies almost exclusively on the support of community volunteers, businesses and service organizations for leadership, planning and preparation, in-kind and financial gifts.

More than 250 volunteers are needed to organize and prepare for the games. For volunteer inquiries, contact Karen Kimball at 406-837-0319 or by e-mail at dryfly@centurytel.net.

To learn more about Special Olympics Montana, contact Jim Lawrence, vice president of development, at jlawrence@somt.org or call Special Olympics Montana headquarters at 1-800-242-6876.