AMES , IA – More than 3,000 Special Olympic athletes from all 50 states, including four students from Crotched Mountain School in Greenfield , NH , will compete in the Inaugural Special Olympics USA National Games being held on the Iowa State University campus from July 2- July 7, 2006 .

The four Crotched Mountain students are: Chelsea Fernandes of Southbridge, MA; Michael Metayer of Wilbraham, MA; Tiffani-Lyn Moran of North Adams, MA; and Joseph Pappalardo of Glen, NH. They and their seven Crotched Mountain support staff are part of an 84-person delegation representing New Hampshire .

Each member of the Crotched Mountain team will be participating in the Motor Activities Training Program (MATP) which emphasizes training and participation rather than competition. MATP trains participants in basic motor skills designed to relate to specific sports: Mobility- gymnastics; Dexterity- athletics; Striking- softball; Kicking- soccer; Manual wheelchair- athletics; and Electric wheelchair- athletics. While the goal of MATP is not necessarily to prepare persons with severe disabilities to participate in sports, many MATP participants gain the skills required to compete in certain Special Olympics sports.

The list of other activities in which Special Olympic athletes may compete includes: aquatics, athletics (track and field), basketball, gymnastics, powerlifting, bowling, tennis, golf, softball, bocce, soccer, and volleyball.

In a prepared statement, chairperson of the Games Organizing Committee J. Elaine Hieber stated, "The 2006 Special Olympics USA National Games will serve to focus America 's attention on intellectual disabilities. Our goal has been to not only create an incredible experience for athletes, coaches, volunteers, and family members, but to create an atmosphere that fosters discussion and direction."

Organizers of the event recruited 8,000 volunteers from across the country among whom are a number of nationally-know celebrities including: actor Tom Arnold, who will serve as emcee of the opening ceremonies and Volunteer Ambassador; NFL quarterback Kurt Warner; Brandon Routh, the star of Superman Returns; Senator Tom Harkin; country music singer Jo Dee Messina; Irish tenor Ronan Tynan; and a special musical performance by Hootie and the Blowfish.

For more information about the 2006 Special Olympics USA National Games, visit the event's website: www.2006nationalgames.org.

Crotched Mountain School is a private residential and day school providing educational and therapeutic services to students with developmental and physical disabilities, grades K-12, since 1963. For further information, call 603-547-3311, or visit the organization's website:

www.crotchedmountain.org.

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