Press Release

For Immediate Release

CONTACT:

Susan S. Prior, Director of Public Relations

(800) 235-9058 ext. 231

sprior@specialolympics.org

LANCASTER COUNTY WOMAN TO REPRESENT SPECIAL OLYMPICS  TEAM USA IN NAGANO, JAPAN IN 2005

As the summer draws to an end, the excitement of the Olympic Games only heightens for one local athlete

(October 26, 2004 - Norristown, PA) — Jeanne Marie Ulmer of Elizabethtown, PA is one of six Special Olympics Pennsylvania (SOPA) athletes who have been chosen to travel to Nagano, Japan in February 2005 to compete internationally at the Special Olympics World Winter Games.  A sixteen year veteran of Special Olympics Pennsylvania, the 33-year old athlete has competed in cross country skiing, basketball, bowling, floor hockey, golf, track and field, softball and aquatics.

Ulmer earned a gold medal in cross country skiing at the 2004 Winter Games, a state-wide competition in Johnstown, PA, which provided her the opportunity to become a member of Team USA and represent Lancaster County on an international scale. She has been training and competing in cross country skiing since 1992, under the coaching of her parents, Robert and Jean Ulmer.

“Jeanne is hardworking and fun-loving and takes tremendous pride in her athletic achievements,” said Jean Ulmer, Jeanne Marie’s mother and cross country coach. “She has the stamina of the Energizer Bunny, she just keeps going and going, and we have no doubt she’ll make Pennsylvania very proud.”

Among her greatest accomplishments, Ulmer lists her constant improvement in skiing and her recent selection to represent Team USA.  She also takes her pride in her family and her trip to Nagano will be particularly special since her brother is currently stationed in Japan with the United States Navy. The family plans to reunite to cheer Ulmer on as she competes against athletes from across the globe.

“I can’t wait to go,” Ulmer said. “I just hope I do good. What I’m looking forward to most is making new friends. That’s the most important thing for  me.”

Originally from Tioga County, Ulmer recently moved to Elizabethtown with her family. She is a high school graduate, avid writer and enjoys making crafts to give to family and friends. She is currently employed at Goodwill Industries in Lancaster, PA.

The World Winter Games in Nagano are slated to host 2,600 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. 

Editor’s Note: If you would like to interview Jeanne Marie or her parents, please contact Susan Prior @ sprior@specialolympicspa.org.