Press Release

For Immediate Release

CONTACT:

Christie McDevitt,

APR Director of Public Relations
(800) 235-9058

cmcdevitt@specialolympics.org

ROARING SPRINGS MAN ONE OF TWO SPECIAL OLYMPICS PENNSYLVANIA COACHES CHOSEN TO REPRESENT TEAM USA IN NAGANO, JAPAN NEXT YEAR

(May 20, 2004 - Norristown, PA) — John Kauffman of Roaring Springs, Pennsylvania is one of two Special Olympics Pennsylvania (SOPA) coaches who have been chosen to travel to Nagano, Japan in February 2005 to compete internationally at the Special Olympics World Winter Games. 

A Special Olympics coach for more than three years in Blair County, Kauffman has coached athletes in the sports of figure skating, speed skating and hockey.

Kauffman enjoys volunteer coaching with Special Olympics because he has found the experience extremely rewarding.  “I have never worked with athletes who work harder and who are more dedicated to trying to do their best than Special Olympics athletes.  I really do appreciate their attitude,” says Kauffman.

The World Winter Games in Nagano are slated to host 2,500 athletes, 650 coaches and 10,000 volunteers, friends and families from 80 countries in seven sports including alpine and cross country skiing, figure and speed skating, floor hockey, snowshoeing and snowboarding.

Special Olympics Pennsylvania provides year-round training and competition in 23 Olympic-type sports to more than 26,000 children and adults with intellectual disabilities.  For more information about how SOPA inspires greatness, visit our Web site at www.specialolympicspa.org.