In the year marking its 40th anniversary in Canada, Special Olympics Canada will send a very strong delegation of 113 team members, including 81 athletes, to the world�s largest winter sporting event, which is set to unfold February 7 to 13, in Boise, Idaho. The Special Olympics World Winter Games will bring together an estimated 3,000 athletes from 100 countries to compete in seven winter sports. Canadians will compete in six of these sports, including alpine skiing, cross-country skiing, figure skating, floor hockey, snowshoeing and speed skating.

A prominent part of that National Team will be a well known doctor from Gander, Dr. Carmel Casey. Dr. Casey was selected as team physician in October and has been working closely with the teams ever since to prepare them for demanding travel and competition schedule of the World Games.

"Dr. Casey will be a great asset to Team Canada as a physician and as a team member. She has been a long time volunteer of our organization and has played an integral role in the development of Special Olympics in Gander and on the provincial level." said Johnny Byrne, Executive Director of Special Olympics Newfoundland and Labrador. "We are proud to have Dr. Casey representing our province on the world stage and ensuring that Canada�s athletes will be best prepared to represent our country"

"The 2009 Special Olympics World Winter Games will be an incredible opportunity for our athletes to compete at an international sporting event, some for the very first time," said Deborah Bright, president and CEO of Special Olympics Canada. "Among the top in their field, they have worked incredibly hard for the opportunity to represent Canada in Idaho, and we know that they will make our country proud."

About Special Olympics Canada

Special Olympics Canada is dedicated to enriching the lives of Canadians with an intellectual disability through sport. It is a national not-for-profit organization that provides training and competition opportunities to more than 32,000 athletes of all ages and abilities, primarily through local sport clubs.

About the 2009 Special Olympics World Winter Games

The 2009 Special Olympics World Winter Games will be held in Boise, Idaho, USA, from February 7 to 13, and will involve up to 3,000 athletes from 100 countries, as well as 6,000 volunteers. Competition will take place in seven sports: alpine skiing, cross-country skiing, figure skating, floor hockey, snowboarding, snowshoeing and speed skating.

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