SPECIAL TREAT

I was honored to be invited tonight to the opening ceremonies of the 2009 Special Olympics Alaska Summer Games. Athletes will progress from state championships, to national, and then to the 2011 World Special Olympics at Athens, Greece. Anchorage is one of twelve Alaska communities that provide local athletic training for people, eight years of age and older, with intellectual disabilities - or as one Special Olympic athlete put it, “people with different abilities.”

An Anchorage athletic legend, Ma’o Tosi, founder of the very successful Alaska Youth Pride group, made some inspiring comments. One of Ma’o’s quotes is, “The more effort you put into being successful, the better chances you have of being successful.” Ma’o Tosi was Alaska Basketball Player of the year 1995, and a NFL pro football player.

Several legislators were present for the ceremonies. Our Lieutenant Governor Sean Parnell announced the official opening of Alaska’s 2009 Special Olympic Games.

Photo shows Ma’o Tosi (left), and Lt. Governor Parnell (right).