July 3-8, 2006 will mark an historic week for Special Olympics in the United States. That will be the weekend of the the first Special Olympics U.S. National Games in the program's history. While national level competition has been offered for U.S. Special Olympics athletes for several years in sports like bowling and golf, the 2006 event will be the first full national version of an event similar to the World Summer Games.

Special Olympics Kentucky will send 42 athletes, two Unified Partners and 17 coaches to this first-ever National Games.

Meet Team Kentucky!

Ames, Iowa was announced as the site of the first ever U.S. National Games in a ceremony on July 14, 2003. More than 4,000 athletes are expected to attend the Games from all 50 states. In addition, more than 2,000 coaches, 12,000 family members and 8,000 volunteers are expected to be in Ames for the historic event. Approximately 60 athletes from kentucky are expected to attend.

The competition list for the first Special Olympics U.S. National Games includes Aquatics (swimming), Athletics (track and field), Basketball, Bocce, Bowling, Cycling, Equestrian, Golf, Gymnastics, Power Lifting, Soccer, Softball, Tennis and Volleyball as well as Motor Activities Training Program events. All events will be held at the state of the art facilities of Iowa State University and at other locations in Central Iowa.

For more information about the 2006 Special Olympics U.S. National Games, please contact Special Olympics Executive Vice President Trish Mazzoni at 800-633-7403 or 502-695-8222 or via e-mail at tmazzoni@soky.org.