Press Release

For Immediate Release

CONTACT:

Susan Prior, Director of Public Relations

(800) 235-9058, ext. 231; sprior@specialolympicspa.org

MONTGOMERY COUNTY VOLUNTEER HEADED TO NAGANO FOR  

THE SPECIAL OLYMPICS 2005 WORLD WINTER GAMES

Local Man to Referee International Games this February

(January 19, 2005 – Norristown, PA) —Special Olympics Pennsylvania (SOPA) today announced that North Wales resident and long-time volunteer Sean Hanley will referee the Special Olympics World Winter Games in Nagano, Japan, February 26 – March 5, 2005.  Hanley, who will be officiating Floor Hockey during the upcoming international games, was selected by Special Olympics International following an intense, competitive review of his credentials and accomplishments, along with those of thousands of other Special Olympics officials. 

Hanley has volunteered his time as a coach in Montgomery County for nearly two decades and has been officiating Special Olympics sports for 10 years.  He coaches power lifting, aquatics and basketball and is also the state sport director for power lifting.  “I have a strong camaraderie and fraternity with the athletes, so coaching for me is an honor in itself,” said Hanley. “Of all my accomplishments, none is greater than the rewards of coaching.”

“Remarkably, Pennsylvania ranks fourth in the nation for the number of athletes competing in the games, with six athletes participating as part of Team USA.  On top of this honor, we are thrilled to have five of our volunteers headed to Nagano, three serving as officials and two as coaches, making this year’s World Games particularly exciting for our statewide program” said Janine Cesare, President, Special Olympics Pennsylvania. “Sean is one of these outstanding volunteers and has year in and year out demonstrated unmatched dedication to our program. He is so deserving of this unique honor.”

Outside of his commitments to Special Olympics, Hanley has dedicated much of his life to improving the lives of others.  He is the founder and owner of the North Wales-based Developmental Fitness Company, which provides numerous services to individuals with intellectual disabilities, including personal training, massage, aquatics, adaptive fitness and martial arts.

“We are extremely proud of Sean and our entire Pennsylvania delegation.  We know they’ll make us proud in Nagano!” said Cesare.

About the Special Olympics World Winter Games

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.

Athletes compete successfully on the local and state level for the opportunity to compete internationally at the World Games. The cost per athlete is $10,000 and includes local training, Team USA training in Colorado, coaching, competition, international travel expenses, equipment, health care, social activities, lodging, meals and other needs.  All athletes participate free of charge and are supported in full by contributions.

Special Olympics Pennsylvania

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. 

Editors: If you’d like to interview Sean Hanley, please contact Susan Prior at sprior@specialoylmpicspa.org.