2011/06/01 Council Agenda Packet

'f,IN Special Olympics � Washington ton g Motivate. Inspire. Succeed. SPECIAL OLYMPICS WASHINGTON MILESTONES 1968 Special Olympics was created by the Joseph P. Kennedy Foundation. Fourteen Washington athletes competed in the first International Summer Games at Soldiers Field in Chicago. 1970 Fifty-six Washington athletes competed in the second International Summer Games in Chicago. 1972 Seventy-eight Washington athletes competed in the third International Summer Games at UCLA. Special Olympics Washington formed its first board of directors. 1973 The U.S. Army hosted Summer Games at Fort Lewis for the first time, providing housing, transportation and facilities. 1974 The first Washington Special Olympics Winter Games were held at Mount Spokane. 1975 Washington Special Olympics (WSO) became incorporated as a non-profit organization. One hundred four Washington athletes competed in the International Summer Games in Mt. Pleasant, MI. The Boeing Company became a corporate sponsor of Summer Games. 1976 Softball became an official Washington Special Olympics sport. Washington Special Olympics was incorporated in November. 1978 The state was divided into 19 areas to support the growing number of athletes. 1979 Fifty Washington athletes competed in the International Summer Games in Brockport, NY. The first paid staff was hired, with an Executive Director and a Secretary. 1981 Lack of snow caused Winter Games to be canceled, but nine Washington athletes competed in the International Winter Games in Stowe, VT. 1983 Sixty Washington athletes competed in the International Summer Games in Baton Rouge, LA. 1984 Special Olympics founder Eunice Kennedy Shriver was a guest at the Special Olympics Washington Winter Games in Spokane. 1985 Fifteen Washington athletes competed in the International Winter Games in Park City, UT. 1986 Soccer became an official Washington Special Olympics sport. Eleven soccer teams competed in Summer Games. 1987 Eighty-six Washington athletes competed in the International Summer Games in South Bend, IN. 1988 Unified Sports was introduced with the formation of a new Unified softball league. Teams comprised of athletes with and without intellectual disabilities participated. 1989 Fourteen Washington athletes competed in the International Winter Games in Reno, Nevada/Squaw Valley, CA. 1990 Cycling, long-distance running and walking, roller skating, team handball, tennis and table tennis became official Washington Special Olympics sports. The Goodwill Games were held in Seattle, with a team of 16 participants representing Special Olympics from B.C., Oregon and Washington. Winter Games moves to the Greater Wenatchee area.