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Show iwn Wednesday, September 25, 1974 Page 7 Conference the retarded are even more important than for normal children, since so' much of their ment comes through physical activity rather than through abstract thought, normalization in the schools must include and emphasize physical development. Citing expansion of the Special Olympics program as another challenge, Mrs. Shriver used Utah as an example of desired growth and accomplishment. She pointed out that in 1974 the state held 15 local games, 4 area games, and 4 state games and tournaments with 1800 young athletes and 500 volunteers participating. In addition, four area clinics for athletes and four area workshops for coaches, parents, ces which will give them their greatest opportunity to succeed as vigorous, and productive citizens. Under the direction of Mr. Gary Totland, Utah has a highly regarded Special Olympics chapter. In 1974, over 2,000 mentally retarded youngsters participated in Utahs year round Special Olympics program. They took part in Statewide cross-countrrunning, and hiking in the fall, snow sports and other activities in the winter, and the spring games in Salt Lake City in which more than 700 contestants and 300 volunteers participated. FOR FINE JEWELRY physical education teachers, special education teachers, college students, and volunteers WASATCH AUTO - just rings were held. Utah is initiating a statewide program in which coordinators will be assigned from local universities or colleges to act as area coordinators for Special Olympics. The new representatives will be given University credit for their work. Another example of Utahs expansion, Mrs. Shriver pointed out, is the addition of three new skiing, hiking, and running to the states program. Also, the position of Special Olympics Coordinator was funded for the first time through the State Board of Education-VocationRehabilitation Services. Funding for the state Special Olympics programs comes from local, state, and federal sources in addition to small administrative grants from the Kennedy Foundation which also supplies medals, ribbons and sports-cross-co- JL. y, ; FRIULI V HANDERA! ILL) RlNliS gold, silver, find semi-precio- V- stones us - "automotive needs NEW LOCATION ON MAIN STREET See us first for all your 105 N. Main- - -- Heber A AA. untry al Eunice Kennedy Shriver Eunice Kennedy Shriver, Executive Vice President of the Joseph P. Kennedy, Jr. Foundation, told State Directors and administrators of the Special Olympics Programbe worlds largest sports or8zation for the mentally retarded that our challenge now is to extend the program and its benefits to all mentally retarded children ; to all school systems; to all in- stitutions; and to all com- munities. Addressing the sixth national conference of Special Olympics chapter directors and ad- ministrators meeting in Park t, Mrs. City, September Shriver congratulated the more than 150 program officials from every ' state and Canada for the program to bringing 18th-21s- children with skill, dedication, and with love. Special Olympics with The program, involved almost 400,000 young athletes and 150,000 volunteers in over 8,000 year round training programs and 2,500 local, regional, and state meets. The theme of the 1974 Conwas ference Meeting the of International the Challenges Games Year", in recognition of the fact that in 1975 the fourth In- during 1974, ternational Special Olympics Games will be. held for an anticipated 2,500 young athletes at Central Michigan University in Mount Pleasant, Michigan, h ( 1975) . August of the greatest One Shriver said, Mrs. challenges, is that growing number of 8th-14l- legislative acts and court decisions which we lump together I under the heading of normalization. In the abstract, normalization, through equal educational opportunity, is a major breakthrough, and the Kennedy Foundation is committed both in theory and practice to getting the mentally retarded into the mainstream of life. We have always insisted that the goal of Special Olympics is to prepare youngsters to take part in regular school and community athletic programs. However, Mrs. Shriver said, simply proclaiming nor- malization as a principle does not guarantee that its results will be beneficial to the individual child. We know that all of our trainable and most of our educable children cant bridge the ability gap to compete with normal children. Whatever the law, she continued, we are determined that only the mentally retarded will participate in Special Olympics. We are not going to force them to compete with other children whose skills and abilities make fair and equitable competition impossible. In every way, we are refining our classification and scoring systems to give every child an even chance to win any event in which he is entered. We cannot and will not deviate from this policy or we will become a catchall program for any child who is judged for any reason unfit for regular competition. And this would be the ultimate betrayal of the mentally retarded who themselves shoved to always find the tack of the line. She also stressed the point that because play and exercise for promotional materials. In Utah, Utah Special Oympics, Inc. and the United Cerebral Palsy Association of Utah are the largest single sponsors together with many and private organizational, donors. Utahs State Director is Gary O. Totland, State Executive Direc- tor, United Cerebral Palsy Association, and the Special Olympics Coordinator is James Johnson, also of the United Cerebral Palsy of Utah. Mrs. Shriver announced to the conference that there will be a major expansion of the Special Olympics basketball program in 1975. Now involving more than 50,000 youngsters, the expanded basketball program will feature a series of local, area, and regional competitions leading to 7 regional tournaments whose finalists will be sponsored by the American Basketball Association and the National Basketball Association teams in' their respective areas. A Special Olympics Run, Dribble, and Shootnational competition will also be supported by the two professional basketball associations. Mrs. Shriver told the directors, In this International Games Year of 1975, lets multiply our efforts to bring Special Olympics to the mentally retarded children whose needs are not being met. For them it is not just having fun or winning medals, but the chance to develop the physical resour D. Park West is offering a special price to all skiers residing in Summit County. Order before October 20th for huge discounts on season passes for you and your whole family. 649-912- 3 Mail with check or money order to Park West P.O. Box 308 Park City. Utah or purchase passes at THE MINER S FIND in Park City or at the Park West booth at the west entrance of TROLLEY SQUARE. Full names for season pass Family Relationship Address City If Student List School Phone Activity Card No. PARK WEST |