The following is being distributed at the request of Sport Newfoundland and Labrador:

Corner Brook to Host Provincial Games

Special Olympics Newfoundland and Labrador is proud to announce that Corner Brook has been selected as host city for the 2007 Special Olympics Newfoundland and Labrador Winter Games.

The provincial games will host over 100 athletes, coaches and mission staff who will be competing in the sports of cross-country skiing, snowshoeing and floor hockey. These games will be used to select Team Newfoundland and Labrador that will be representing the province at the 2008 Special Olympics Canada Winter Games in Quebec City in February 2008.

This is the first time that Corner Brook will host a Special Olympics Winter Games and Special Olympics Newfoundland and Labrador is very excited about the upcoming event. �Corner Brook has a reputation for hosting world class events,� says Special Olympics Newfoundland and Labrador Executive Director, John Byrne. �Our organization strives to offer our athletes and coaches the best caliber competition possible, so we were thrilled when the City of Corner Brook stepped forward to host.�

The organizing committee is being chaired by Linda Leudee. She is very clear on what the committee�s focus will be. �We are looking forward to showing all the athletes, coaches and spectators what fun it is to be on the west coast during the winter season. We extend a warm invitation to everyone to come and watch our athletes perform during the games.� The organizing committee is looking forward to support from the community, as volunteers will be the key to these games� success.

The mayor of Corner Brook, Charles Pender, is also very excited. �The City of Corner Brook is very proud to be the host site for the 2007 Special Olympics Newfoundland and Labrador Games,� he says. �Corner Brook has established itself as a sport-tourism centre and we welcome the opportunity to showcase our city to the approximately 120 athletes and coaches from across the province that will be competing in these games. Corner Brook has all the amenities to ensure a successful and memorable games both on and off the competition site and we look forward to these games coming to our city�

The 2007 Special Olympics Newfoundland and Labrador Winter Games are taking place February 16-18 in Corner Brook. The opening ceremonies will take place Friday, February 16 with competition starting 9:00am on Saturday, February 17. Cross-country skiing will be hosted by the local club while both the snowshoeing and floor hockey competitions will be hosted at Regina High School. Attendance to opening ceremonies is and competition is free. For a more detailed schedule, Corner Brook residents can check their Winter Carnival Bulletin.

Special Olympics Canada is dedicated to enriching the lives of Canadians with an intellectual disability through sport. It is a national not-for-profit grassroots organization that provides sport training and competition opportunities for 31,000 athletes of all ages and abilities.

For more information on the 2007 Special Olympics Newfoundland and Labrador Winter Games contact Executive Director, John Byrne at 709-690-8334 or at johnnyb@sonl.ca or Games Chair Linda Luedee at 709-634-6635 or lindaluedee@yahoo.com.

2006 12 21                                          9:50 a.m.