(Friday, June 3) Seattle Mariner Bucky Jacobsen to Join Thousands Of Athletes At Summer Games Opening Ceremony

(Saturday, June 4) Governor Christine Gregoire To Present Medals to Special Olympics Athletes During Summer Games

Over 6,000 athletes, coaches, volunteers and family members will join together this weekend as Special Olympics Washington celebrates the annual Summer Games. The Games begin this Friday, June 3rd, with the Opening Ceremonies and athletic competition runs Saturday, June 4th, through Sunday, June 5th. Grand Marshal, Seattle Mariner Bucky Jacobsen, will kick off the Games Friday evening during the Opening Ceremonies at McChord AFB. Governor Gregoire will join the Games on Saturday at Ft. Lewis to present medals to Special Olympics athletes from across Washington.

  WHO:    Special Olympics Washington Athletes

  WHAT:   Special Olympics Washington Summer Games

  WHEN:   Friday, June 3, 2005 -- 7:30 p.m. -- Opening Ceremonies (McChord
          Air Force Base)

          Saturday, June 4, 2005
          8:00 a.m. -- Competition Venues Begin (Ft. Lewis and Weyerhaeuser
           King County Aquatic Center)
          1:00 p.m. -- Governor Gregoire arrives (Ft. Lewis - Cowan Stadium)
          4:00 p.m. -- Family Picnic (McChord Air Force Base)
          7:00 p.m. -- Victory Dance/Celebration (McChord Air Force Base)

          Sunday, June 5, 2005 -- 2:30 p.m. -- Closing Ceremonies (Ft. Lewis
          -- Cowan Stadium)

  WHERE:  Fort Lewis, McChord Air Force Base and Weyerhaeuser King County
          Aquatic Center

  About Special Olympics Washington:

Special Olympics Washington provides year-round sports training and competition for children and adults with intellectual disabilities. By participating in sports, physical fitness and healthcare education programs, Special Olympics Washington athletes increase self-confidence and social skills, improve physical and motor skills, and have better success in leading more productive and independent lives.

*Media interested in attending activities at McChord AFB must contact Lt. Erika Yepsen at (253) 982-5637 by Friday at noon, June 3, 2005, to apply for military base clearance.

*Media interested in attending activities at Ft. Lewis need to contact Joe Hitt at (253) 967-0152 by Friday at 3 p.m., June 3, 2005, to apply for military base clearance. Media availability is at the DuPont Gate, exit 119, between 9:30 a.m. and 2 p.m. on Saturday, June 4. Media must call (253) 381-8711 to request escort from the gate to Cowan Stadium.

For more information on daily events go to www.sowa.org

Created by Joseph P. Kennedy Jr. Foundation for the Benefit of Citizens with Intellectual Disabilities

   FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT:
   Leslie Cohan - Dave Syferd & Partners
   206-262-0395 (phone) 206-849-1810 (cell)
   lcohan@dsandp.com

Source: Special Olympics Washington

CONTACT: Leslie Cohan of Dave Syferd & Partners, +1-206-262-0395,
+1-206-849-1810 (cell), or lcohan@dsandp.com, for Special Olympics Washington

Web site: http://www.sowa.org/