Special Olympics United Kingdom is a leading country of the Special Olympics International Organisation who have programmes in 150 countries throughout the world. It is a worldwide organisation recognised by the International Olympic Committee for making a difference to the lives of people with learning disabilities (mental handicap) and their families. Its achievements demonstrate proven long term benefits in health, personal esteem and social integration through providing sports opportunities from local training and competition in 22 official sports to World Games every four years.

Special Olympics' mission is to provide year round training and athletic competition in a variety of Olympic type sports for individuals with learning disabilities (mental handicap) by giving them continuous opportunities through participating in sport, developing physical fitness, demonstrating courage, experiencing joy and participating in sharing of gifts, skills and friendship with their families, other Special Olympics athletes and their community.

Special Olympic athletes carry the benefits of participation into their daily lives at home, in the classroom, in their jobs and in the community. Special Olympics can provide family members with a sense of pride in their athletes with the hope of an exciting and bright future for the individual as an athlete and citizen in the community. Families who participate become stronger as they learn a greater appreciation of their athletes' talents and capabilities.

The spirit of Special Olympics, skill, courage, sharing and joy transcends boundaries of geography, nationality, political philosophy, gender, age, race or religion. To this end, the support of Railtrack will enable two major aspects of the four year development plan to be fulfilled that in the support of the Gymnastics programme. The aim is to support our objective to stage the World Gymnastics Championships in June/July 1998. This will not only involve Railtrack as a sponsor but will also involve employees as volunteers during the year in the lead up to this event by training employees as volunteer helpers for training and events programmes.

In addition, working with Railtrack's regional network throughout the country and our own regional structure, Special Olympics will be able to establish new groups where currently there is no existing club. The funds will help establish these new groups and the training and coaching of the individuals, many of whom we hope will come from Railtrack. Donations will also pay for the much needed use of sports facilities and training facilities. We are particularly keen to support those with learning disabilities (mental handicap) in major inner cities where fewer clubs are in existence.

On behalf of Special Olympics United Kingdom, we thank Railtrack for their generosity and support, plus all those athletes currently under training and also, all those people who we hope will be given the opportunity of joining Special Olympics and participating. In working together with Railtrack's staff we believe that the development of new opportunities will create a greater community awareness and understanding for all those people with learning disabilities (mental handicap).

Railnews Archive ::: 1997-07-09 RTK-008