ADVISORY/Special Olympics to Partner with Nelson Mandela's Children Fund for Nelson Mandela's 84th Birthday Celebration.

Assignment Desk, Daybooks & International Desk

ADVISORY for...Thursday (July 18)

News Advisory:

-- "Unified" Activities -- Following the model of Special Olympics Unified Sports(tm), the Nelson Mandela Children's Fund youth and Special Olympics youth will play sports side-by-side, but beyond that they will learn, live, eat and have fun together for a truly inclusive experience in an environment of acceptance and welcome.

-- "Healthy Athletes" Program -- Special Olympics youth and Nelson Mandela Children's Fund youth will receive dental, hearing and eyesight health screenings. Special Olympics Healthy Athletes is a program designed to help Special Olympics athletes improve their fitness and health. The program leads to an enhanced sports experience and improved well being for the athletes.

-- "Special Olympics Get Into It(tm) (SO Get Into It) -- Prior to the event, the youth in the Nelson Mandela Children's Fund projects are participating in this educational curriculum to increase their understanding of intellectual disabilities and promote acceptance. The curriculum celebrates the giftedness of every student whatever his or her ability and invites all youth to make a difference.

-- "Athlete Leadership Program" -- This program gives athletes new opportunities to participate in Special Olympics leadership roles. Today, athletes are serving on Board of Directors like South Africa's John Mastross; or as leaders in policy and planning like Loretta Claiborne of the United States, Chairperson of the Global Athlete Congress; or serving as international spokespeople, like South Africa's Ephraim Moklahane, a Special Olympics Global Messenger. Special Olympics athletes also become coaches, sports officials and Games Evaluation team members.

STORY OPPORTUNITIES:

-- "Unified" Activities -- Following the model of Special Olympics Unified Sports(tm), the Nelson Mandela Children's Fund youth and Special Olympics youth will play sports side-by-side, but beyond that they will learn, live, eat and have fun together for a truly inclusive experience in an environment of acceptance and welcome.

-- "Healthy Athletes" Program -- Special Olympics youth and Nelson Mandela Children's Fund youth will receive dental, hearing and eyesight health screenings. Special Olympics Healthy Athletes is a program designed to help Special Olympics athletes improve their fitness and health. The program leads to an enhanced sports experience and improved well being for the athletes.

-- "Special Olympics Get Into It(tm) (SO Get Into It) -- Prior to the event, the youth in the Nelson Mandela Children's Fund projects are participating in this educational curriculum to increase their understanding of intellectual disabilities and promote acceptance. The curriculum celebrates the giftedness of every student whatever his or her ability and invites all youth to make a difference.

-- "Athlete Leadership Program" -- This program gives athletes new opportunities to participate in Special Olympics leadership roles. Today, athletes are serving on Board of Directors like South Africa's John Mastross; or as leaders in policy and planning like Loretta Claiborne of the United States, Chairperson of the Global Athlete Congress; or serving as international spokespeople, like South Africa's Ephraim Moklahane, a Special Olympics Global Messenger. Special Olympics athletes also become coaches, sports officials and Games Evaluation team members.

Created by the Joseph P. Kennedy, Jr. Foundation for the Benefit of Persons with Mental Retardation. Web site: www.specialolympics.org.