Olympians Special Olympics alpine skier Brandon Erbstoesser, 14, won a gold medal and two bronze medals at Alyeska Resort during the Games. In this photo, the North Dakota teen was posing for his parents at the Special Olympics flame at Town Square on the last day it was to remain lit. (Bill Roth / Anchorage Daily News) (Click on image to enlarge) Get ready for the games with our program • See a list of event times and venues with an area map • Visit the official Web site of the 2001 World Winter Games at www.2001worldgames.org, or go directly the Games results page. • Get more information at the Alaska Special Olympics Web site at www.specialolympicsalaska.org. • See Special Olympics video clips at UAA's Wolfstream site. (Requires Windows Media Player)

Big event organizers glean advice
DETAILS: Anchorage shares wisdom with other Games organizers IRELAND: New host learns here


(Published: March 12, 2001)
For Alaska organizers, the World Winter Games are history. But for others, who came to Anchorage to gather pointers for hosting their own large-scale events, it was only prologue.

Uphill battle
Skater beats odds to become competitor


(Published: March 12, 2001)
For Jani Tyler, the road to the figure skating events at the 2001 Special Olympics World Winter Games Alaska was marked with broken sleep and hospital rooms.

The game of life
Grateful skier brings heart back to Alaska


(Published: March 11, 2001)
David McBroom is an Alaskan at heart.

Skating competition draws the crowds
PACKED: Tesoro Sports Centre gets twice the number it expected.


(Published: March 11, 2001)
Alaskan Ernie Barker, one of the first to compete in the figure skating finals this week, summed it up best when he hit the ice Friday with a shout: "This is great!"

Team Alaska powers way to floor-hockey gold, celebrates with new pals

(Published: March 11, 2001)
While Special Olympics Team USA Alaska athletes stretched their hamstrings and warmed up, fans filled the three bleachers of the "Field of Play" and lined the barriers in front.

Athletes, volunteers pin a world of friendship to their jackets
It's a fantastic way to meet people,' Canadian says


(Published: March 10, 2001)
When Gary Cross, a dad from Des Moines, Iowa, was preparing for the family's trip to the Special Olympics World Winter Games, his boss asked if he'd like to take some pins along. Cross had no idea why he'd want to -- until he got here.

Special clinic serves health needs of athletes
MEDICAL: If someone needs treatment, converted office space handles all nonemergency cases.


(Published: March 10, 2001)
On Wednesday morning, Keith Huggins waited for a diagnosis for two of his Special Olympics athletes.

Greeks find fans at Little Italy

(Published: March 10, 2001)
Ever since the Special Olympics World Winter Games Greek delegation arrived in Anchorage, the group has been treated like family. On Thursday night, following a long day of competition, Little Italy owner P.J. Gialopsos invited the whole team to South Anchorage for dinner.

Full of cheer
Barrow students lift voices for Russians, Croatians


(Published: March 9, 2001)
The yellow sweatshirts stood out in the speedskating stands. So did the words on them: "Barrow Whalers."

Interpreters help tear down language barriers
INNOVATE: The military and volunteers help solve problems.


(Published: March 9, 2001)
In his work as an expert military interpreter for the National Guard, Ken Sizemore travels the world. He and his colleagues are usually called off their civilian jobs to help with high-level military negotiations or translate top secret documents.

Starstruck
Guest skaters wow Special Olympians


(Published: March 9, 2001)
It was swoon city Thursday afternoon at the figure skating competition at the Special Olympics World Winter Games.

For one athlete, Games mean thrills, competition and friends

(Published: March 9, 2001)
As he ran, Jack Hess held his arms down and a little out from his body, like a man crossing a high wire. His snowshoes, cut-down versions of the old wood-and-sinew trail shoes, zipped low over the glazed, slippery surface of the Kincaid Park oval. A chill wind ruffled his close-cropped, fair hair. He had settled into third place near the start of his 400-meter division final on Wednesday, and that's where he crossed the finish line, the Canadian flag stenciled on his left cheek seeming to billow as he breathed. He walked off the track smiling and nodding to himself, as if everything had gone exactly as he'd expected.

'The best athlete' completes his race

(Published: March 9, 2001)
On Monday morning, Dallas Bakken was warming up in front of the Kincaid Park chalet, sprinting a handful of strides, stopping, then sprinting back.

Downhill in style
Anchorage athletes among first to get medals for snowboarding


(Published: March 8, 2001)
For the first time ever, Special Olympics World Winter Games athletes received medals for snowboarding Wednesday. A crowd of family members, volunteers and coaches gave mighty cheers as athletes pumped their arms and celebrated at Hilltop Ski Area.

Phones prove popular with Olympic athletes
FREE CALLS: It's a smorgasbord of languages at the phone bank.


(Published: March 8, 2001)
After four full days of floor hockey competition, most of them spent at the FedEx hangar by the airport, there was no question what Panama's Special Olympics delegation wanted to do next.

Athletes take on soupy Alyeska slopes
Some Skiers Gain From Advice, Support Of Family Members


(Published: March 7, 2001)
Girdwood -- Jason Gamble offered his 16-year-old brother advice Tuesday during the two Special Olympics World Winter Games preliminary downhill runs at Alyeska Resort.

Celebrities turn out for activities at Alyeska Resort
ARNOLD: Pay no attention to rumor that he has left Olympics.


(Published: March 7, 2001)
Girdwood -- Just before the Celebrity Ski Race began at Alyeska Resort on Tuesday, "he" walked from the Tram into the resort.

Special Olympics speed skater aims for nationals
AP Photo


(Published: March 7, 2001)
Tray Greene hurtles around a speed skating oval like a pebble whirled in a sling.

India's hungry Special Olympians favor curry

(Published: March 7, 2001)
No sooner had India's Special Olympics team been introduced and applauded at a potluck in its honor at Northwood Elementary School Saturday night, when Arvind Phukar implored everyone to help. "They need food," he said, arms wide, hands out. "They need to eat."

Health care testimony moves many
HEARING: Audience spellbound as woman describes woeful health care


(Published: March 6, 2001)
Loretta Claiborne, just like the half dozen or so speakers before her, started to read her testimony to Sen. Ted Stevens.

THE ACTION advantage
Attitudes toward physical fitness for the mentally disabled has swung around in 40 years


(Published: March 6, 2001)
When Natalie Carey gave birth to Bryan 27 years ago, she and her husband decided they weren't going to treat him the way they'd seen others treat children with Down syndrome.

Special Olympics change an athlete's life, and a mother's, too

(Published: March 6, 2001)
The athletes stood six abreast, toeing the start-finish line. The oval snowshoe course would be sharply uphill at first, then a sloping left-hand curve, followed by a long downhill, another curve and a final, gradual, thigh-killing uphill straight.

Special Olympics reach all the way to Mideast

(Published: March 6, 2001)
Isa Ahmed is not quite sold on the idea of eating turkey.

Team unified despite motley uniforms
GAMES: Turkmenistan players show spirit.


(Published: March 6, 2001)
The Turkmenistan Special Olympics floor hockey team arrived Monday at the Federal Express hangar and camped next to Field of Play three. Off went the gray and black uniforms, and on went the floor hockey gear. Some had orange and white striped socks, others blue and white. Some wore red uniforms with yellow sleeves, others had white collars. Nothing really matched.

Weather delays ski event

(Published: March 6, 2001)
Lots of new snow and strong winds at Mount Alyeska in Girdwood on Monday forced a one-day postponement of the alpine ski event of the 2001 Special Olympics World Winter Games. "They made the decision for the safety of the athletes," said Stacy Schubert, a spokeswoman for the Games.

Athletes, Arnold kick off Games with colorful Sullivan ceremony

(Published: March 5, 2001)
About 2,750 athletes and coaches from 80 nations, many waving mittens and colorful scarves, marched into Sullivan Arena Sunday night to open the 2001 Special Olympics World Winter Games, the largest sporting event ever staged here.

Look, 'Tip Tops' are here
GAMES: Events lure Holly wood actors, beauty queens, pro wrestlers and others.


(Published: March 5, 2001)
Sen. Ted Stevens was there. Rumor had it Arnold was there.

Healthy Athletes program gets big smile from teams
CHECKUPS: Physicians seek problems, offer praise in a relaxing atmosphere.


(Published: March 4, 2001)
Just days before his competition, Alonso Aviles is making sure his health is in tip-top shape when his Mexican floor hockey team takes on the world.

Home lands
Youngsters with a song in their hearts welcome Egyptian athletes


(Published: March 3, 2001)
Kincaid Elementary School students had drawn dozens of smiling mummies and hung them in the halls. They had posted greetings in Arabic -- "Good Luck to the Egyptian team" -- and memorized facts about Egypt. Specially designed T-shirts with a pyramid and Mount McKinley had been printed for their guests.

FedEx is floor hockey ready
HANGAR: Facility goes from jets to jocks as Special Olympics loom.


(Published: March 3, 2001)
Floor hockey probably wasn't on the mind of FedEx executives when they built a jumbo-jet hangar at Anchorage's international airport in the early 1990s.

GLAD TO BE HERE
It's a long day in the air for Irish, Greek, Cypriot athletes


(Published: March 2, 2001)
Minneapolis -- After 20 hours, a weather-delayed flight from Dublin, a change in routing in Amsterdam, countless in-flight beverages and two movies, the 12-member Irish Special Olympics delegation looked forward to getting some sleep and to skiing on snow.

Plenty of room for all skiers
SPECIAL OLYMPICS: World Games won't crowd ski areas.


(Published: March 2, 2001)
With the Special Olympics World Winter Games hitting Anchorage slopes at Alyeska and Hilltop ski areas next week, local skiers and boarders will have a chance to witness a once-in-a-lifetime event.

It's here
Officers, athletes escort Olympic fire


(Published: March 1, 2001)
A flame lit in Athens, Greece, began making its way around Alaska Wednesday, carried in several torches by teams of law enforcement officers and Special Olympians from around the world.

Special Olympics seek doctors
VOLUNTEERS: Timing leaves physicians in short supply.


(Published: February 27, 2001)
The staff organizing the 2001 Special Olympics World Winter Games Alaska is still searching for additional medical volunteers, particularly physicians.

Terms of debate
Words describing Special Olympians raise arguments even among advocates for the disabled


(Published: February 25, 2001)
Mike is disabled.

Chalet ready for Olympics
Special Olympics funds pay for newest renovation of former missile bunker.


(Published: February 23, 2001)
(Feb. 22, 2001) Where Nike missiles once blasted skyward in Cold War test firings, city officials Wednesday night praised the special athletes of the world and dedicated a swanky new warm-up and banquet room at Kincaid Park.

Golden opportunity beckons
Economy, awareness of mental retardation should profit from Special Olympics.


(Published: February 23, 2001)
(Feb. 18, 2001) With Fur Rendezvous sled dog races canceled this year because of snow conditions, Anchorage retailers, hoteliers, cabbies and restaurateurs are banking on the upcoming 2001 Special Olympics World Winter Games to help them recoup their losses. And based on projections by the University of Alaska Anchorage, the largest-ever event held in Alaska could do the trick.

Special Delivery
World Winter Games bring a welcome windfall to local sports venues


(Published: February 23, 2001)
(Feb. 18, 2001) Someday, a generation of Anchorage skiers will think back on the cramped, worn-out facilities at Hilltop Ski Area and conjure up fond memories -- although affection may require considerable time and distance.

Sun's rays light Special Olympics torch

(Published: February 23, 2001)
Athens, Greece (Feb. 18, 2001) -- In a re-enactment of an ancient ceremony, a flame was lighted in Athens on Saturday for the 2001 Special Olympics World Winter Games in Anchorage next month.

Volunteers gear up for Special Olympics
About 5,500 people will assist in the competition.


(Published: February 23, 2001)
(Feb. 18, 2001) Special Olympics World Winter Games volunteers began streaming through the headquarters on Ship Creek Avenue on Saturday to pick up uniforms. The 5,500 volunteers will staff 357 jobs during the games, scheduled for March 4-11 in Anchorage, Girdwood and Eagle River.

Winter's here
City's first big snowfall inspires triumph, tragedy


(Published: February 23, 2001)
(Feb. 13, 2001) Winter returned to Southcentral Alaska with a snowstorm that blanketed yards from Talkeetna to Homer and had residents digging out from under the deluge Monday.

Unseeing is believing
Students at Gladys Wood learn about living with handicaps


(Published: February 23, 2001)
(Feb. 3, 2001) In a classroom at Gladys Wood Elementary, kindergartners strapped on black blindfolds.

Local schools host Special Olympians
Pupils team up with athletes to learn cultural diversity.


(Published: February 23, 2001)
(Jan. 30, 2001) There's another Team Alaska besides the athletes scheduled to participate in 2001 Special Olympics World Winter Games Alaska. It's the community gearing up to make the Games happen next month.

Anchorage figure skater knows when to be cool
SMILE: A cool customer off the ice, Megan McDermott heats up on the ice


(Published: February 23, 2001)
(Jan. 12, 2001) Megan McDermott is the most advanced Special Olympics figure skater in the city, but she's no prima donna. If anything, she's the anti-diva.

102nd duct tape use
Sculpture


(Published: February 23, 2001)
(Jan. 10, 2001) Roll over, Michaelangelo.

Searching for stars
BP promises $1.6 million to help with World Winter Games.


(Published: February 23, 2001)
(Jan. 6, 2001) Lackluster winter getting you down? Get ready for a star-studded season with unprecedented northern exposure, say organizers of the 2001 Special Olympics World Winter Games.

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