September 24, 2004

LET THE GAMES BEGIN!
BUCHAREST HOSTS SPECTACULAR SPECIAL OLYMPICS GAMES OPENING CEREMONIES

U.S. Ambassador to Bucharest J. D. Crouch, Florian Salajan, President of the National Authority for People with Handicaps, other politicians and celebrities and some of the Romania's brightest athletic stars will join Special Olympics athletes and their supporters for the 2004 Special Olympics Romania Opening Ceremonies in Bucharest on Friday evening.

The Opening Ceremonies for the 2004 Special Olympics Romania Games will start with the traditional Torch Run in front of the National Theater at 15:30. Athletes including Maria Cioncan, Ionela Tarlea, Lili Nastase, Ligia Simon, Laura Badea, and the Romanian female rowing team, as well as by mass media representatives, police officers, and representatives of the US Embassy in Bucharest, will carry the Torch of Hope through Piata Romana and Piata Victoriei, finishing outside the Iolanda Balas Soter Stadium at 17:00.

After remarks by Ambassador Crouch and others, the Stadium will host gymnastic dance demonstrations and performances by Trupa D'Or, Alina Sorescu, and Ro-Mania in a musical celebration of the spirit of Romania's Special Olympics.

Over 300 Special Olympics athletes and their coaches, representing all counties of Romania will participate this weekend in four types of sport competitions: athletics, gymnastics, tennis and football.

A $500,000 grant from the U.S. Government will provide 15,000 athletes the chance to show Romania their abilities, not their disabilities, through a three-year Special Olympics program entitled "Support for Changing Attitudes."

Special Olympics began in 1968, when Eunice Kennedy Shriver organized the First International Special Olympics Games in the United States. She saw that individuals with intellectual disabilities were far more capable in sports and physical activities than many experts thought. Today, there are Special Olympics sports programs in more than 150 countries. Events are geared to accommodate a variety of levels of ability so that athletes can compete with others who have similar capabilities.

During the next three years, Special Olympics Romania will work to: improve the quality of life of individuals with learning disabilities in Romania; improve the support and information for families of Special Olympic athletes; and increase public awareness of the contribution people with disabilities can make as valued citizens.

The Special Olympics Oath is: ""Let me win, but if I cannot win, let me be brave in the attempt!"

For more details, please contact:


Cristian Ispas, Special Olympics Romania Foundation
Str. Pitar Mos 27, ap.13, Sector 1, 010452, Bucharest, Romania
Tel/Fax: +4021 6592541