Special Olympics Send Off

Link: http://www.standingupforillinois.org/feature.php?id=149

On Wednesday September 26, 2007, Lt. Governor Pat Quinn will offer an official farewell as the Illinois Delegation of Team USA departs for the 2007 Special Olympics World Summer Games in Shanghai, China.

Quinn will join the nine Special Olympics athletes and seven coaches in the delegation as they prepare for the first leg of their journey at Door 3B, American Airlines Terminal 3 at O�Hare International Airport in Chicago.

�On behalf of the State of Illinois, I want to wish these athletes a safe journey and the best of luck as they compete for Team USA,� Quinn said. �We are very proud to send these nine fine athletes to represent our state and our country at the Special Olympics World Summer Games in Shanghai, China.�

The Special Olympics World Summer Games in Shanghai will be the year�s largest sporting event, drawing 7,000 athletes from 165 countries. The 399 members of Team USA will gather in Los Angeles on Wednesday before leaving for China.

The Shanghai Games will draw 7,000 athletes with intellectual disabilities from 165 countries. The Games, which include competitions in 24 sports will begin with the spectacular Opening Ceremonies on Oct. 2 and will continue through Oct. 11.

The first Special Olympics Games were held at Chicago�s Soldier Field on July 20, 1968. Today, the Special Olympics program includes more than 2.5 million athletes worldwide.

The Illinois Delegation to Team USA includes athletes Michelle Sullivan, of Downers Grove, Aquatics; Ed Orr, of Monmouth, and Amy Wilcox, of Ottawa, Bowling; Barry Tillema, of Belvidere, Golf; Marc Janovics, of Mt. Prospect, Gymnastics; Dustin Dickens, of Elburn, and Jamie Smith, of Chicago, Powerlifting, and Frank John Harvey, of Lockport, and Guy Case, of Manteno, Bocce.

Coaches in the Illinois delegation include the Athletics head coach of Team USA, Cathy Harper of Chicago and assistant coaches Craig Ameel, of Cary, and Sherrie Izban, of Romeoville; Golf assistant coach of Team USA, Jennifer Marcello, of Palatine with additional support from Brianna Beers, of Palatine; Gymnastics assistant coach of Team USA, Glen Marks, of Elk Grove Village, and Tennis head coach of Team USA, Nancy Hoekstra, of Homewood.