Athletes Celebrate Victories at World Games

Dallas athletes represent Texas with pride at international competition

For Immediate Release: February 17, 2009

Three Dallas area Special Olympics Texas (SOTX) athletes brought the heat to the 2009 World Winter Games.  The international competition was held February 7 through 13 in Boise, Idaho.

The three athletes competed in figure skating at the Games.  Justin Horton of Richardson earned a silver medal in the Level 4 division; Kristen Lyons of Richardson earned a silver medal in the Level 2 division; and Leanne Owens of Dallas earned 5th place in the Level 2 division.  Houston athlete, Marissa Castillon, earned a silver medal in the Level 4 division.

The competition was the adventure of a lifetime and included many memorable events, such as participating in Opening Ceremonies, Global Youth Activation Summit and figure skating with Vice President Joe Biden in the audience.

About the 2009 World Winter Games
This is the 9th Special Olympics World Winter Games, uniting nearly 3,000 athletes from 100 countries for competition February 7-13, 2009. Special thanks go to Bank of America, Sage Hospitality, American Federation of Teachers, North American Police Ski Championships, Columbia Sportswear and Gear for Sports as sponsors and Toko as product supplier of Team USA. For more information on Team USA, visit www.specialolympicsteamusa.org or find additional World Games information at http://www.2009worldgames.org/.

About Special Olympics Texas
Special Olympics Texas is a privately funded non-profit organization providing year-round sports training and athletic competition for 32,240 children and adults with intellectual disabilities in the Lone Star State.  Be a part of the movement that is CHANGING LIVES in your community.  For more information, visit our website at www.specialolympicstexas.org.

Official Partners:
Coca-Cola Bottling Companies of Texas, ConocoPhillips, Food Town and H-E-B Tournament of Champions Charitable Trust


 

Andi Baca Kelly
Public Relations Coordinator
Special Olympics Texas
akelly@sotx.org