2007 WORLD SUMMER GAMES

Shanghai, People's Republic of China
October 2-11, 2007

Overview

The Special Olympics World Summer Games was the largest international sporting event to occur in 2007. The event marked the first time the World Summer Games were held in Asia, and only the second time they were held outside the United States. In addition to some 7,000 athletes from 169 countries, the 2007 World Summer Games drew 40,000 volunteers, 3,500 event officials and thousands of families, volunteers, spectators and journalists from every continent.

Team USA - Florida sent a delegation of 21 athletes and 3 volunteer coaches.  Athletes competed in 8 sports including Aquatics, Athletics (Track & Field), Bocce, Bowling, Golf, Powerlifting, Tennis and Team Basketball. 

Individual Results 

Men's Basketball Team (Hamilton County Stompers) - scroll to bottom of page for team result
Konata Carollo
Andy Miyares
Alberto Nieves
Lorraine Nilson
Kerri Outten
Monica Payne
Nicholas Perry
CJ Piantieri
Krista Pohorenec
Lee Scharf
Charles Smith
Anthony Thomas

Results for Team Florida-USA

Team Florida-USA racked up medals and ribbons and even raised the bar for international competition along the way.
Swimmers Andy Miyares and Nicholas Perry of Miami-Dade collectively set several new American records in distance events.

And on the court, the Team Florida-USA men's basketball team (the Hamilton County Stompers) were outplaying their opponents by such a wide margin that Games organizers set up an exhibition match with the Shanghai Jiao Tong University (SJTU) team (non-disabled). Before a packed arena, the game ended in a 45-45 tie - with the Chinese team refused to play to overtime!

Final Medal Count for Team Florida-USA:
Gold: 4 (including basketball team)
Silver: 14
Bronze: 9
4th: 5
5th: 3
6th: 1
 

Photos and Videos of the Games and our Team! 

There really aren't words that can capture the excitement, joy and emotion of a World Games, that's why we have photos and videos We have several on-line photo and video galleries that will make you feel like you were there with Team Florida-USA every step of the way.

For photos of Team Florida-USA (along with news, bios and other cool stuff), visit our photo galleries. As the Team and their families send us more photos, we'll be adding more galleries!

Team USA website: see photos and read daily journal entries about Team USA at www.specialolympicsteamusa.org 

World Games photos and videos: thanks to a collaboration between UNC Chapel Hill and several Chinese Universities, this site has phenomenal video highlights and slide shows from throughout the Games, including footage of the Opening Ceremony: www.specialolympicslive.org

More Videos!

See Team USA-Florida's homecoming at Orlando International Airport on October 13 

Meet Mike Cohen, Head Coach, Basketball and the little town of Jasper, FL
High speed connection
Low speed connection

Meet Andy Miyares of Miami

Two mini-documentaries by Kat Keene Hogue
Mini-documentary by TL Fiedler
Andy on Good Morning America during the Games

News

10-11-07
Games Recap
With a theme of "Yes I Can!" the Special Olympics World Summer Games, held in Shanghai, China, October 2-11 were the largest international sporting event to occur in 2007. The event also marked the first time the World Summer Games were held in Asia.
 
7,000 athletes from 169 countries, 40,000 volunteers, 3,500 event officials and thousands of families, spectators and journalists from every continent made these games an international celebration of acceptance, respect and athletic achievement.
 
Team Florida-USA sent 21 athletes and 3 volunteer coaches.  Athletes competed in 8 sports including Aquatics, Athletics (Track & Field), Bocce, Bowling, Golf, Powerlifting, Tennis and Team Basketball.
 
For half of Team Florida-USA, the journey began on September 25, as the men's basketball team departed a day early, to join the other three U.S. basketball teams for exhibition games and sightseeing in Beijing, prior to heading to Shanghai.
 
The rest of the team's journey began with a spectacular send-off at Epcot's China pavilion. From there, they flew to L.A. to meet up with the 400 athletes and 150 coaches of Team USA, where Bank of America hosted a lavish send-off ceremony.
 
Once everyone reached Shanghai the team had a couple days to get adjusted to the time difference, see some sights, learn about Chinese culture, try the local cuisine, and then they began the whirlwind of opening ceremonies and competition.
 
The Opening Ceremonies were considered to be the most elaborate and spectacular in the history of Special Olympics World Games and reflected themes that carried throughout the Games: a celebration of Chinese arts, culture, and more importantly the emerging attitude shift in China - recognizing the dignity and abilities of people with intellectual disabilities - a watershed moment in China's history.
 
Throughout the games, Florida athletes were featured in Asian and international television and newspapers, as well as ESPN/ESPN.com, CNN, the Washington Post and Good Morning America to name a few!
 
Several of the athlete's family members made the trip to Shanghai to cheer on their loved ones. One parent said "These kids have really shown what the state of Florida has...we have met wonderful people here from all over the world, the coaches were fabulous, the kids were beyond anything we could have imagined and Shanghai was unbelievable. Thank you from the bottom of our family's heart for giving us the opportunity to be part of these incredible games, it will stay in our hearts for the rest of our lives."
 
When Team Florida-USA arrives home in Orlando this Saturday, there will undoubtedly be plenty of hugs, tears and high-five's, but what will last are the memories of a once in a lifetime experience that truly helped change the world for the better.
 

10-5-07
Andy Miyares Featured on Good Morning America

Team Florida-USA swimmer Andy Miyares of Miami was featured on Good Morning America on October 5! The segment featured both footage of Andy swimming at the World Games and receiving one of the two silver medals he has received so far, and a pre-produced segment by TL Fiedler.

You can read an abbreviated version of the Good Morning America story and see the "video diary" portion of the segment on-line at http://abcnews.go.com/GMA/GMANow/story?id=3689877&page=1

Andy has also been interviewed by newspapers from Macau, Japan, China and elsewhere!

9-23-07
Walt Disney World Hosts Send-off Ceremony for Team Florida-USA

The athletes of Team Florida-USA were treated to a spectacular send-off ceremony at Epcot’s China pavilion on September 25. The pavilion’s centerpiece structure, a replica of Beijing’s Temple of Heaven, was transformed into a beautiful, private reception area for Team Florida-USA and invited guests.

After dining on Chinese-inspired hors d’oeuvres and learning about the symbolism of various colors, animals and characters in Chinese culture, the athletes were welcomed by Special Olympics Florida Board Chairman Chris King and Jodie Hardman, representing Team USA nationals sponsor Bank of America. After well wishes and words of encouragement from King and Hardman, the team members were presented a pin trader’s dream come true: a beautiful lanyard filled with limited edition, Disney-themed pins to trade at the World Games.

After posing for photos, guests dined from an elaborate array of traditional and modern Chinese cuisines – no one went home hungry!

Following dinner, the athletes watched a circle vision (360 degree surround) film about China and capped off the night by being given a private viewing area for Epcot’s nighttime fireworks show, “Illuminations: Reflections of Earth.”

Special thanks to the Walt Disney World Company for sending our athletes off in grand style!

9-23-07
Tampa Tribune Story on Larry Timmer
Cpl. Larry Timmer of the Tampa Police Department will be the only Florida representative in the Global Law Enforcement Torch Run at the World Games. Read a story about Larry's imminent adventure from the Tampa Tribune.

9-22-07
Orlando Magic Salute Team Florida-USA Basketball Team
The Special Olympics Hamilton County Stompers got a glimpse of what it would be like to be NBA stars, if only for a day, when the Orlando Magic gave the team a full day of VIP treatment on Saturday, September 22nd. To raise awareness about the team, it's imminent trip to the World Games in Shanghai, China and to announce it's newly formed partnership with Special Olympics Florida, the Orlando Magic built their annual Select-A-Seat event for season ticket holders around the Stompers.
 
After being shown to a private locker room, the team got their very first look at their Team USA competition uniforms, they suited up and took center court at the Amway Arena (Orlando). After some words of advice and a quick photo op with Magic superstar Dwight Howard, Magic Head Coach Stan Van Gundy, Assistant Coach Brendan Malone, and former Magic stand-out and current community ambassador Nick Anderson put the team through their paces during a full on-court clinic.
 
In between a catered lunch, meeting the Orlando Magic dancers and getting autographs from Magic players, the Stompers got a private pep talk from Nick Anderson and then signed autographs, posed for photos and accepted words of encouragement from Magic fans, as they sat side by side with Magic players and coaches at autograph tables.
 
The day was capped off with a special present to each player: an official Magic jersey with their name on it.

See Photos!

9-15-07
FL World Games Swimmer Andy Miyares featured on "Sabado Gigante"
Florida World Games swimmer Andy Miyares is no stranger to international television: the world record holding Miami-Dade swimmer's amazing accomplishments have been highllighted over the years in print and electronic media. But Saturday, September 15 was different. It was, in fact, gigante! "Sabado Gigante" to be exact.

Andy, and his mother, Ana Maria Miyares, were guests on "Sabado Gigante," on Univision International. The show, hosted by Don Fransisco is one of the most-watched talk shows in the Spanish-speaking world.

In addition to pre-taped segments highlighting Andy's athletic prowess, he and his mother were interviewed live and then the show presented Andy with an award in recognition of his being selected to represent the United States at the World Games and for being an inspiration to people everywhere. 

9-13-07
Florida's Basketball Team Featured in Sports Illustrated Kids
Florida's World Games basketball team, the Hamilton County Stompers, will be featured in the October edition of Sports Illustrated Kids. The 2-page spread has a fantastic article by SI writer Gary Gramling that captures the team's inspiring journey from rural Jasper, FL to their imminent trip to China.

Be sure to pick up a copy at the news stand and you can read it now!

7-26-07
Florida's Basketball Team Attends Ceremony at White House with President Bush for Global Torch Run
Florida's World Games basketball team, the Hamilton County Stompers, had a truly once-in-a-lifetime week. The team flew to Washington, DC, to be part of the celebration of the Global Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics coming to the United States. The torch started its journey in Greece last month and will stop in several countries, on its way to the Special Olympics World Summer Games in Shanghai, China this October. DC was the torch's only U.S. visit. Head Coach Mike Cohen is a Hamilton County Sheriff's Deputy so this was a particularly unique opportunity for him.

Special Olympics Florida received a call on the afternoon of the 20th that the team needed to be in DC on Tuesday, the 24th!  So with many frantic phone calls and much coordination, the team was on its way! Head Coach Mike Cohen and Assistant Coach John Brown, of Alachua, accompnied the team. The Hamilton Stompers joined approximately 30 other representatives of Team USA from throughout the country for the festivities.

The Flame of Hope™ for the 2007 Special Olympics World Summer Games made its only U.S. visit to Washington, DC, on July 26th. The flame will light the torch that will be carried in the Global Law Enforcement Torch Run® -- a signature event honoring the Special Olympics movement. Following a ceremony in the Rose Garden at the White House hosted by President and Mrs. Bush, the torch was carried to stops throughout the city before continuing its global journey to the 2007 World Summer Games Opening Ceremony in Shanghai on 2 October.

With the logistical support of DHL, the Global Partner of the Special Olympics Law Enforcement Torch Run for the 2007 Special Olympics World Summer Games, the Flame of Hope was lit June 29 at the Acropolis in Athens using only the rays of the sun, and then departed Greece to begin a 22,000 mile journey across five continents. Carried by members of the global law enforcement community and Special Olympics athletes, more than 5,000 people around the world will participate in this celebration of the Special Olympics movement and the courage of its athletes.

After departing Washington, DC, the Flame of Hope will travel to Seoul, Tokyo, Sydney, Beijing, Hong Kong and Macau. The Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics is a pivotal event in the lead up to the 2007 Special Olympics World Summer Games. 

The Hamilton team arrived in DC on Tuesday and began their whirlwind trip first thing Wednesday morning with a Flame of Hope arrival ceremony and reception at the Special Olympics headquarters in DC. Later in the day, Team USA attended a DHL (Global Torch Run sponsor) volunteer rally and then went on a special private tour of the Capitol, arranged by Senator Kennedy. The team capped off the night with a fun dinner at the ESPN Zone.

Thursday was jam-packed: after a breakfast reception, the team, the members of Team USA who were there and representatives of the law enforcement community all attended a ceremony on the South Lawn of the White House, hosted by President and Mrs. Bush, which included getting photos with the President and First Lady (see video, photos and read transcript).

Law enforcement officers and Special Olympics athletes then began the Torch Run throughout Washington, D.C. Along the route, the runners traveled down the National Mall between the Washington Monument and the U.S. Capitol Building. They made a stop at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, where they were greeted by Secretary of Health and Human Services Michael Leavitt. From there they passed the Capitol on their way to the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial. The memorial honors all of America's federal, state and local law enforcers; inscribed on the memorial's marble walls are the names of more than 17,500 officers who have been killed in the line of duty, dating back to the first known death in 1792. The Law Enforcement Torch Runners each placed a rose on the memorial.

The last stop on the run through Washington was the Chinese Embassy, where a crowd waving U.S. and Chinese flags and colorful lion dancers greeted the flame. The law enforcement officer runners passed the torch to Zheng Zeguang, Charge d'Affaires of the embassy, who officially greeted the Global Torch Run. He then passed the torch to two Special Olympics athletes - Karen Dickerson from Special Olympics Virginia and Qiao Meili from Special Olympics China - who lit a cauldron in front of the embassy.

Runners and guests enjoyed a program of speeches and music as the embassy hosted a private reception in honor of the Global Law Enforcement Torch Run and in anticipation of the 2007 World Summer Games in Shanghai. Following the reception, the Hamilton did some sightseeing, taking in the Washington Monument and Lincoln Memorial.

See photos from our team's unforgettable week!

7-16-07
Team Florida Returns from Training Camp at Vanderbilt University
On July 16th, Team Florida was greeted by a contingent of parents, coaches and staff, when they arrived at Orlando International Airport, after five days at Vanderbilt University in Nashville, TN, for the Team USA training camp.

The camp was the first and last time the 400 athletes and 150 coaches of Team USA would meet and train together, before the reassemble in Shanghai for the World Summer Games.

In addition to training, meeting their new teammates from around the country and working with their World Games coaches, the athletes and coaches took part in cultural learning activities to prepare them for the Games and were treated to a special, private concert by Special Olympics Ambassador and country music super-star, Jo Dee Messina.

Check out photos of our team at camp and read more about the camp and Team USA.

7-13-07
FL Athletes Featured in Live Interviews with Scott Hamilton!
Friday the 13th turned out to be a pretty lucky day for two members of Team Florida. Krista Pohorenec of Winter Springs and Alberto Nieves of Naples started their day on live television as part of a nationwide satellite media tour with Special Olympics Board member and Olympic Gold Medalist Scott Hamilton.

The interviews, sponsored by Bank of America, not only publicized the Team USA training camp, being conducted July 12-16 at Vanderbilt University in Tennessee - which began the 100-day countdown to the World Summer Games - but also announced Bank of America's $500,000 sponsorship of Team USA.

Krista, who will compete in swimming, was interviewed by WTVT (FOX) in Tampa (see the interview now) and Alberto, who will compete in tennis, was interviewed by WESH (NBC)/CW 18 in Orlando (see the interview now)

To see photos and read daily recaps of the training camp, visit the Team USA website.

6-7-07
FL Law Enforcement Representative Named to World Games Final Leg Team!
Florida Law Enforcement Torch Run Regional Representative Larry Timmer of the Tampa Police Department has been selected to be a member of the prestigious World Games' Torch Run "Final Leg" Team. Larry was selected from thousands of applicants from around the world and will join 89 other law enforcement officers from 23 nations to carry the "Flame of Hope" across China, raising awareness and funds for the World Summer Games.

To be named to a World Games Final Leg Team is the highest honor (and greatest thrill) that can be bestowed upon a Torch Run participant. This will be the first-ever Global Law Enforcement Torch Run Final Leg, beginning with the ignition of the Flame of Hope and the lighting of the torch in Athens, Greece. The torch will travel around the globe to more than 10 cities to celebrate the 2007 World Games and showcase Chinese culture. Law enforcement officers from around the world will serve as Guardians of the Flame as they journey to Shanghai, China, to safely deliver the Flame of Hope to the 2007 World Games Opening Ceremonies.

Larry Timmer is a long-time Law Enforcement Torch Run (LETR) participant and organizer. In addition to serving as one of Florida's 12 LETR Regional Representatives, Larry has raised hundreds of thousands of dollars for Special Olympics Florida over the years, through Torch Run hat and t-shirts sales and through creative special events, like his annual "Stars and Pars" nighttime golf tournament and the "Cops on Doughnut Shops" event where Larry camps out on the roof of a Tampa Krispy Kreme for 3 days to raise funds and awareness.

5-23-07
Team Florida Swimmer Breaks Two More World Records!
Team Florida swimmer Andy Miyares of Miami just added two more World Records to his already impressive collection of American and World swimming records. At a  meet in Sarasota, FL, in April, Andy set a new Down Syndrome International Swimming Organization (DSISO) 400M Freestyle World Record with a time of 6:03:69 and a new 1500M Freestyle World Record with a time of 23:43:08. Andy's mother, Ana Maria, said Andy is looking forward to the competition at the World Games, especially the opportunity to swim against the Australian and South African competitors.

5-20-07
Florida Volunteers to Officiate Bocce at World Games
Special Olympics Florida volunteers Marie Bedard and Art Bjork have been selected to serve as officials for the bocce competition at the World Games. Both Marie and Art have officiated and/or served as technical advisors for bocce at prior World Games.

3-27-07
Now Everyone Can Support Team Florida!
Now you can support your favorite Team Florida athlete(s) by making an on-line donation to help raise the funds needed to send Team Florida to Shanghai! Since Special Olympics never charges its athletes or their families a fee for their participation, your support is crucial. The process is quick and easy: just click below on the name of the athlete you wish to support and then click on the "Support" link on their page. You will automatically receive an acknowledgement of your gift for your tax deduction purposes.

2-10-07
Florida Coach Selected for Team USA Coaching Staff!
Carol Rahmoeller of Sarasota County has been selected by Team USA to be an Assistant Coach for Golf at the World Summer Games. Carol began her volunteerism in 1995 and has since become a certified coach in numerous sports and has served as the Training Director for her local program. This will be Carol's second World Games experience; she served as an Assistant Coach for Team Florida's Unified softball team at the 1999 World Summer Games in North Carolina. Congratulations, Carol!

2-05-07
Ginn Resorts Signs on as Platinum Sponsor of Team Florida!
Special Olympics Florida is thrilled to announce that Ginn Resorts has committed to being the Platinum Sponsor of Team Florida for the 2007 World Summer Games. The Ginn Company has become an ardent supporter of Florida's Special Olympics program over the past two years. Their involvement ranges from hosting fundraising events, to including athletes in special events, such as a private golf clinic at its beautiful Reunion Resort (near Orlando). Ginn also took part in the 2006 National Games Cessna Airlift, donating their corporate jet to the cause, by transporting Florida athletes in style to the Games in Ames, Iowa.

1-15-07
Florida Basketball Coach "Carries the Torch" for Special Olympics in More Ways Than One
Team Florida - USA head basketball coach Mike Cohen bridges his love of coaching and his career in law enforcement. Read Mike's inspiring story now.

Meet Team Florida!

ATHLETES:
Bristol, Cornelius - Team Basketball
Carollo, Konata - Athletics (track & field)
Herriott, Derrick - Team Basketball
Hutcherson, Anthony - Team Basketball
Jackson, Travis - Team Basketball
Johnson, Joshua - Team Basketball
Miyares, Andres - Aquatics - Invited Athlete Program
Nieves, Alberto - Tennis
Nilson, Lorraine - Bowling
Outten, Kerri - Aquatics
Paul, Anthony - Team Basketball
Paul, John - Team Basketball
Payne, Monica - Bocce
Perry, Nicholas - Aquatics - Invited Athlete Program
Piantieri, CJ - Powerlifting
Pierce, Alan - Team Basketball
Pohorenec, Krista - Aquatics
Scharf, Lee - Aquatics
Smith, Charles - Bowling
Thomas, Anthony - Golf

COACHES:
Cohen, Mike - Team Basketball
Brown, John - Assistant Coach, Team Basketball
Udell, Helen - Team Manager, Team Basketball