Athletes begin preparation for 2003 Special Olympics
    by Chris Swinney, reporter

    With the 2003 Special Olympics just around the corner, the Texas Team appears to be a strong factor to beat.

    Since the 1999 Special Olympics in North Carolina, U.S. teams and athletes have been preparing for the next chance to step up and take the gold medal in Dublin, Ireland.

    According to former Texas Special Olympics track/field runner Mitch Lee, the Special Olympics offers several benefits.

    "I like the sports because they are fun for me. The Olympics let me be an athlete," he said.

    Anyone can say that Texas is just another team in the crowd. But tell that to 12-year-old gymnast Tessa Skinner, who received two gold medals, one silver medal and a bronze medal in the gymnastics competition in the 2002 Special Olympics Texas Summer Games.

    Tessa, as well as many other competitors on the Texas team, will head for Dublin in June to take on the world in a variety of 21 athletic competitions.

    Competition will take place in aquatics, badminton, basketball, bocce, bowling, cycling, equestrian, football, golf, gymnastics, powerlifting, roller-skating, sailing, softball, table tennis, tennis, team handball, and volleyball.

    Dublin expects a turnout of 166 delegations consisting of more than 7,000 disabled athletes this year.

    Putting on the 2003 Special Olympics will take about $34 million and an additional $23 million for services.

    Fund raising and donations for the Special Olympics are continuous and donations can be accepted by the Support an Athlete program. Collected money will help pay the way for talented athletes to compete this year.

    The 2003 Special Olympics introductory ceremonies run June 16Ð20. The games run June 20-June 29 with the closing ceremonies on the last day.

    Dublin will be the host of the largest sporting event in Irish history.