FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

2-7-07

Media Contact:
Amie Dugan
VP, Marketing and Communications
Special Olympics Florida
352-243-9536 X506
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SPECIAL OLYMPICS ATHLETES RETURN FROM SECOND-EVER CONGRESS IN TALLAHASSEE

TALLAHASSEE - Special Olympics Florida athletes concluded the second-ever Special Olympics Florida Athlete Congress in Tallahassee on February 2. Twenty-nine delegates with intellectual disabilities from eighteen Florida counties deliberated over five issues during the course of the three day Congress.

The Athlete Congress is a forum where delegates with intellectual disabilities from throughout Florida work to recommend policy and set direction for the Special Olympics movement. Delegates convened in the Florida State Capitol using the Senate Committee rooms and the Senate Chamber as their forum for discussion and voting. The inaugural Congress was held in Tallahassee in 2006.

Kathryn Clark of Special Olympics International, who has conducted Athlete Leadership trainings around the world, told the delegates “You are a minority that is finding its voice. You must have the courage to stand up and say ‘we must be recognized.’”

The three-day Athlete Congress began with a private tour of the Capitol and officially commenced with an Opening Session on the floor of the State Senate where the Congress was addressed by Faye Blanton, Secretary of the Senate, Dr. Joseph Chiaro, Deputy Secretary, Children’s Medical Services, FL Department of Health and other dignitaries.

After the Opening Session, the delegates deliberated over the first of five issues which will be covered during the Congress. The delegates voted unanimously to increase the frequency with which the Special Olympics Athlete and Coaches Codes of Conduct and the Special Olympics Dating Policy are reviewed at the local program level prior to competition seasons and events to ensure that athletes and volunteers are aware of what behaviors are or not appropriate at Special Olympics events.

On day two of the Congress, the delegates tackled three tough issues. In the closest vote of the Congress, the delegates voted down, 15-14, a measure to replace Special Olympics Florida’s existing wristband-style identification method at Games/Competitions with a photo identification system. The second issue of the day, recommending that the existing Special Olympics Smoking and Tobacco policy, currently applied to State-level competitions, be extended to include all county, area and state non-competitive events as well, passed by a wide margin. The final vote of the day was in favor of a recommendation for Special Olympics Florida to have permanent sports symbols or event-specific identification on all medals and ribbons.

The delegates also received a visit from Florida State Attorney General Bill McCollum who commended the delegates on their hard work and encouraged them to continue to “do their best every day.”

The last of the five issues was debated on Friday. Delegates unanimously voted down a recommendation that all Special Olympics County (local) programs must provide each athlete attending a State level competition a shirt or jacket printed with the name of the county or Special Olympics County logo to be worn during non competitive activities, separate from their existing competition uniforms.

The highlight of the final day was the election of John Fitton of Palm Coast, from a field of five nominees, to serve as Chairman of the next Athlete Congress, currently slated for 2008.

The Congress concluded with a Ceremonial Closing Session.

The Athlete Congress is a forum where delegates with intellectual disabilities from throughout Florida work to recommend policy and set direction for the Special Olympics movement. Delegates will convene for three days (January 31 – February 2) in the Florida State Capitol using the Senate Committee rooms and the Senate Chamber as their forum for discussion and voting. The inaugural Congress was held in Tallahassee in 2006.

This Congress is part of Special Olympics Athlete Leadership Programs (ALPs), which allow people with intellectual disabilities to explore opportunities for participation in roles previously considered “non-traditional.” Athletes to choose how and in what roles they participate in Special Olympics. As an integral component of Special Olympics’ dedication to empowerment and dignity, ALPs initiatives provide new opportunities for athletes and benefit the movement as a whole.

Special Olympics Florida provides year-round sports training and competition for over 15,000 children and adults with intellectual disabilities throughout Florida.  Founded in 1968 by Eunice Kennedy Shriver, Special Olympics gives people with intellectual disabilities continual opportunities to develop fitness, demonstrate courage, experience joy and participate in the sharing of gifts, skills and friendship with their peers, families and communities. For more information, visit www.specialolympicsflorida.org.

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MEDIA: For photos from the Congress, a recap of daily updates, hometown information, Congress facts, schedules and much more go to our Athlete Congress Page.

For photos of the delegates or to schedule interviews with them after the Congress, please contact Amie Dugan, Special Olympics Florida, at 407-402-8599 or This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it .