MEDIA INVITE/ALERT Special Olympics USA Training Camp in Killington, VT December 12-15, 2016 Special Olympics USA and Special Olympics Vermont invite you to join us for the Special Olympics USA national team training camp for the delegation competing at the 2017 World Games in Austria next March Special Olympics USA is comprised of 150 athletes, 40 coaches and approximately 20 delegation members who support team operations, for a total delegation of 210 The delegation also includes Special Olympics Unified Sports teams, where people with and without intellectual disabilities compete together, as teammates Team members will compete in seven sports: alpine skiing, crosscountry skiing, figure skating, floor hockey, snowboarding, snowshoeing and speed skating The national team will come together during these dates to practice with their Special Olympics USA new coaches and bond with new teammates from across the country before traveling internationally together While the second-ever Special Olympics International Winter Games were held at Smuggler’s Notch in Vermont in 1981, this is the first time the Special Olympics USA training camp has been held in the state In addition to creating a positive economic impact for the greater Killington region through hotel room nights, tourism and direct spending to produce the camp, event organizers hope the camp will leave a legacy of increased awareness of and support for Special Olympics Vermont When: Monday, December 12, 2016 through Thursday, December 15, 2016 Athletes will practice during both a morning and afternoon shift each day Times to be announced Where: Alpine Skiing, Cross-Country Skiing, Snowboarding, Snowshoeing: Killington Resort Directions to Killington Resort Commented [AD1]: I recommend modifying this And we know the afternoon shifts often end an hour early so perhaps something like…”Athletes will practice during both a morning and afternoon shift each day Please contact the Special Olympics USA media contact listed below for details.” Speed Skating, Figure Skating and Floor Hockey Castleton UniversitySpartan Arena in Rutland Directions to Castleton University.Spartan Arena Formatted: Font color: Hyperlink About: Special Olympics USA is the national team that represents the United States at the Special Olympics World Summer and Winter Games Team members compete in array of the 32 official Special Olympics winter and summer sports, in individual and team formats Bank of America is the Premier Sponsor of Special Olympics USA Every two years, the world transcends the boundaries of geography, nationality, political philosophy, gender, age, culture and religion to come together for the Special Olympics World Games Alternating between summer and winter Games, this event is the flagship event of the Special Olympics movement, which promotes equality, tolerance and acceptance around the world The Printed 2016-12-012016-11-21 next World Winter Games will be held in Graz, Ramsau and Schladming, Austria, March 14-25, 2017 3,000 athletes from 110 nations will compete in Olympic-type sports To follow Special Olympics USA, visit www.specialolympicsusa.org, and follow on Facebook:www.facebook.com/specialolympicsusa,Twitter: @specialolyUSA, Instagram: @specialolympicsusa Hash Tag: #Cheer4USA To learn more about the US team and www.austria2017.org to learn more about the 2017 World Winter Games Media Contacts: Amie Dugan Senior Director, Organizational Development Special Olympics North America Cell: (407) 455-0502 adugan@specialolympics.org Liza Reed Marketing and Partnerships Director Special Olympics Vermont Cell: 802-598-7571 Office: (802) 861-0275 lreed@vtso.org Michael Joseph Communications/PR Manager Killington Office: (802) 422-6115 MJoseph@Killington.com | Commented [AD2]: Change this to Alex or Brandon – whoever is taking lead on media relations during camp