Special Olympics Texas Announces 2003 DFW Spring Games; More Than 1,500 Local Athletes Gear Up for Competition.

Sports Editors/News Editors

DALLAS & FORT WORTH, Texas--(BUSINESS WIRE)--April 7, 2003

Special Olympics Texas (SOTX), a privately-funded, non-profit organization geared at helping those with mental retardation to develop confidence in their abilities and cope with their disease, announced today that it will host its 2003 Spring Games for the Dallas and Fort Worth areas. The Fort Worth games will be held on Friday, April 25, 2003 through Saturday, April 26, 2003 at the University of Texas at Arlington's Maverick Stadium in Arlington, Texas. The Dallas games will be held on Friday May 2, 2003 through Saturday May 3, 2003 at Bishop Lynch High School's stadium in Dallas.

More than 1,500 athletes representing 18 counties in the North Texas area will compete in a variety of sports including track and field, soccer, tennis and cycling. Each city will host an opening ceremonies event, with local law enforcement officials delivering the "Flame of Hope" to officially kick-off the 2003 Spring Games. Additionally, an Athletes' Village will be provided to participants offering them the opportunity to participate in games and music events with their family and friends. Lastly, each weekend will feature a parade of athletes along with the reciting of the Special Olympics Athlete Oath.

Events such as the DFW Spring Games would not be possible without the generous support of individuals, organizations and corporations. SOTX would like to thank Cingular Wireless, the Coca-Cola Bottling Companies, Edelman, GMAC Financial Services, HEB and Xerox/Omnifax for their continued generous support of the organization and its athletes.

The distribution of this press release was made possible through the generosity of Business Wire Dallas.

Opportunity to Support SOTX:

Now through May 31, 2003, anyone with an old cell phone and battery, regardless of the condition, may recycle this equipment at designated booths set up at Bishop Lynch High School and the UTA Maverick Stadium during the DFW Spring Games, at any Cingular Wireless location, or by contacting the SOTX office at 214/943-9981 (Dallas) or 817/332-3433 (Fort Worth). Please be sure to indicate that the equipment is for SOTX. For every cell phone and battery received during this promotion, Cingular Wireless will make a $5.00 donation to support SOTX programs and athletes.

About Special Olympics Texas:

Special Olympics Texas is a privately funded non-profit organization that provides year-round training and competition to over 29,500 children and adults with mental retardation in the Lone Star State. These athletes "Inspire Greatness(TM)" as they enhance the quality of life for themselves as well as those around them. Through their participation in Special Olympics, athletes build self-esteem, promote independence, strengthen families and facilitate social competence while encouraging fitness.