MEDIA ADVISORY 2018 Special Olympics USA Games Offering Free Health Screenings for Nearly 3,000 Athletes with Intellectual Disabilities

June 28, 2018 Rachel McQuiston

Welcome event and media briefing on July 2 at 1:30 p.m. PT

SEATTLE – For the nearly 3,000 athletes at the 2018 Special Olympics USA Games, their time in Seattle will bring more than the chance to compete on a national stage. Through Special Olympics Healthy Athletes®, athletes competing at the USA Games also have the opportunity to receive free health screenings and education in seven disciplines: podiatry, vision, dentistry, physical therapy/fitness, nutrition and healthy habits, audiology, and emotional well-being.

More than 1,000 health care professionals are volunteering to provide screenings and educational sessions. They’ll be armed with specific training on treating people with intellectual disabilities from Special Olympics. The Healthy Athletes Program at the 2018 Special Olympics USA Games is made possible by the Golisano Foundation and presented by Kaiser Permanente.

To officially welcome athletes, coaches and volunteers, and to provide an overview of the critical needs that the Healthy Athletes program addresses, media are invited to attend a briefing on Monday, July 2:

What: Welcome event and media briefing on the impact of the Special Olympics Healthy Athletes program

Where: University of Washington Husky Union Building (HUB)

4001 E. Stevens Way NE, Seattle

When: Monday, July 2

Timeline: 1:15 p.m. – Media check-in/set up

1:30 p.m. – Healthy Athletes welcome event and media briefing

2:00 p.m. – Speakers available for interviews; media tours of Healthy Athletes facilities

Speakers: Dr. Timothy P. Shriver, Chairman, Special Olympics International

Ann Costello, Executive Director, Golisano Foundation

Susan Mullaney, President, Kaiser Permanente Washington

Dr. Stephen Tarnoff, President and CEO, Washington Permanente Medical Group

Stephanie Dulin, Deputy Director, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention National Center on Birth Defects and Developmental Disabilities

Meaghan McHugh, Director of Healthy Athletes, Special Olympics International

Crystal Womack, Special Olympics athlete

During the USA Games, Healthy Athletes screenings will take place:

July 1: 6:00 p.m.-8:30 p.m.

July 2: 2:00 p.m.-8:00 p.m.

July 3: 2:00 p.m.-8:00 p.m.

July 4-6: 11:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m.

Throughout the week, tours of the Healthy Athletes facilities at the HUB and interviews can be arranged by contacting media@specialolympicsusagames.org.

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2018 Special Olympics USA Games Announces Speaker Lineup for Future of Inclusion Forum

June 28, 2018 Rachel McQuiston

Tig Notaro, Brad Smith, Tim Shriver and Lauren Potter among the leaders from entertainment, business and academia who will come together for a powerful evening of inspiration, conversation and action

SEATTLE – June 28, 2018 – The 2018 Special Olympics USA Games announced today the speaker lineup for its Future of Inclusion Forum on Monday evening, July 2. Utilizing the momentum surrounding the 2018 USA Games as a catalyst, the Future of Inclusion Forum will be an evening of thoughtful and inspiring conversation about building a community without barriers or prejudice.

Featured presenters at the Future of Inclusion Forum include:

Tig Notaro, GRAMMY- and Emmy-nominated comedian, writer and actor known for her storytelling and signature deadpan humor
Brad Smith, Microsoft President and Honorary Chairman of the 2018 USA Games
Actress Lauren Potter who is best known for playing Becky Jackson on “Glee”
Tim Shriver, Chairman of Special Olympics International
Holly Tabor, Associate Professor and Associate Director for the Stanford Center for Biomedical Ethics
Special Olympics Washington Athlete Devon Adelman, who will read her original poem “Strong” to wrap up the evening

One of the lasting impacts of the 2018 USA Games will be heightened awareness and attitudinal changes toward people with intellectual disabilities. At the Future of Inclusion Forum, speakers and panelists will address a wide-range of topics that will provoke thought, inspire leadership and empower individuals to make their communities more inclusive.

The Future of Inclusion Forum will also celebrate individuals and organizations from across the country who are everyday Game Changers. As part of the USA Games #ImAGameChanger campaign, these Game Changers were nominated by their communities and recognized by the USA Games for their acts of inclusion, no matter how big or small.

“The Future of Inclusion Forum is the Greater Seattle community’s chance to not only hear from inclusion trailblazers, but to also be part of the conversation,” said Jayme Powers, Executive Producer and Chief Operating Officer of the 2018 USA Games. “Our society is better and more productive because of inclusion. The forum will inspire the community to create change in their own lives and the lives of those around them.”

The Future of Inclusion Forum will take place on Monday, July 2, from 7:00-8:30 p.m. in the Bagley Wright Theatre at the Seattle Repertory Theatre. Tickets are $20. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit specialolympicsusagames.org/future-of-inclusion-forum.

Accenture and F5 are the Presenting Sponsors of the Future of Inclusion Forum with additional support provided by the Department of Education.

About the 2018 Special Olympics USA Games

The 2018 Special Olympics USA Games will be held in Seattle, Washington July 1-6, 2018. More than 4,000 participants representing all 50 states and the District of Columbia, along with the support of tens of thousands of volunteers and spectators, will compete in 14 Olympic-type team and individual sports. The 2018 Special Olympics USA Games will celebrate the Special Olympics movement and its 50th anniversary; promote the ideals of acceptance and inclusion through sport; and showcase athletes from throughout the U.S. and the abilities of people with intellectual disabilities. The 2018 USA Games will also highlight Special Olympics’ work in sport, education, health and community-building.

For more information on the 2018 Special Olympics USA Games, please visit SpecialOlympicsUSAGames.org and follow on Facebook (@SpecialOlympicsUSAGames), Twitter (@2018USAGames) and Instagram (@SpecialOlympicsUSAGames).

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Media Contact

Jaymelina Esmele, 2018 Special Olympics USA Games

(206) 788-8964

jesmele@specialolympicsusagames.org

Big Brands Realize the Power of Partnering with Special Olympics USA Games

June 28, 2018 Rachel McQuiston

By Paula Beadle

In less than a week, the 2018 Special Olympics USA Games open in Seattle, Washington. For 50 years, the Games have showcased the abilities of athletes with intellectual disabilities, promoted the ideals of acceptance and inclusion through sport, and celebrated the transformative power of the Special Olympics.

As a nonprofit organization, the Special Olympics USA Games relies heavily on the generous support of corporations and foundations to bring their vision of inclusiveness and acceptance to reality. The fact is that without those critical sponsorships, the Games would not exist.

For corporations like Microsoft, Amazon and T-Mobile, partnering with a mission-based organization like the Games makes great business sense. More than ever, employees and consumers are demonstrating that it’s not enough for companies to remain neutral, they expect companies to take a position and most importantly to “do good.” They care about supporting businesses that are aligned with their personal values.

I have served as the Chief Revenue Officer of the USA Games and have worked side by side with a talented team who has connected brands large and small with the USA Games and the Special Olympics movement for the past two years. Those companies are experiencing the power of partnering with a mission-based organization in unique and important ways.

As the Special Olympics USA Games are about to begin in Seattle, I am grateful for the generosity Seattle’s most admired companies have demonstrated. The corporate sponsors have made the Games possible and as citizens and consumers we should applaud and reward those companies who share our values and support our community in such significant ways.

Sponsorship is also good business – the intersection between an event and social good is powerful when implemented correctly. Certainly, companies have reasons for investing in sponsorship beyond the usual business benefits, but it’s valuable to understand the most common opportunities companies are seeking and in this case how the benefits are being used to support the USA Games athletes, fans, and community.

1. Employee Engagement. Companies need to declare and express their values and provide opportunities for employees to align with those values. Employee participation elevates employee satisfaction, comradery, and experience. Kaiser Permanente has organized hundreds of volunteers to provide athletes with a health and wellness screening.

2. Recognition and Visibility. Companies receive well deserved recognition by supporting events. Coca-Cola as an example, masterfully merchandises by providing valuable products and services that enhance the visitor experience.

3. Audience Interaction. Sponsorship provides the most effective way to directly engage with the audience and have an authentic conversation. Microsoft led the development of a Job Fair at the USA Games to recruit, hire, and retain people with intellectual disabilities – a continuation of their efforts and commitment.

4. Showcase Products and Service. Event sponsorships provide an opportunity for companies to demonstrate their products and services in a unique environment, while supporting the organizations mission. Amazon is supporting fundraising efforts by making it possible to contribute by simply asking Alexa to make a donation. T-Mobile is hosting a Text to Donate campaign and Accenture is showcasing technology through the development of a USA Games app.

5. Demonstrate Values: Supporting a mission-based organization in a meaningful way expresses and demonstrates a company’s values. The Future of Inclusion Forum aligns perfectly with the commitment f5 has made to support inclusive communities and workplaces.

Sponsorship is good business – for the community, mission-driven organizations, and companies.

2018 Special Olympics USA Games Adds Star Power to Opening Ceremony in Seattle

June 25, 2018 Rachel McQuiston

Top Stars from “American Idol,” “The Voice” and “So You Think You Can Dance” to Perform

Seahawks’ Shaquem Griffin and Special Olympics Athlete Tim Corrigan to Serve as Co-Grand Marshals for the Parade of Athletes

SEATTLE – June 25, 2018 – The 2018 Special Olympics USA Games has added several prominent celebrities to its Opening Ceremony which will take place at the University of Washington’s Husky Stadium on Sunday, July 1. More than 4,000 Special Olympics athletes and coaches from across the nation, along with tens of thousands of family members, volunteers and spectators, will gather across Greater Seattle for a week of events and competitions in 14 team and individual sports.

New Opening Ceremony performers announced today include:

Maddie Poppe, the 20-year-old winner of the most-recent “American Idol” competition.
Kyla Jade, a finalist in the most-recent season of “The Voice.” Jade is also a prominent gospel and rhythm and blues singer who provides background vocals for Jennifer Hudson.
The Groovaloos, an award-winning hip-hop and street dance troupe that has performed on “So You Think You Can Dance,” “The Ellen DeGeneres Show” and “Late Night with Jimmy Fallon.”

These performers join previously announced Opening Ceremony entertainment including: Grammy-nominated singer-songwriter Charlie Puth; world-renowned DJ and producer Marshmello; Seattle native and Rock & Roll Hall of Fame member Ann Wilson of Heart; singer-songwriter Allen Stone; and actor, singer and author Taye Diggs who will serve as master of ceremonies.

Leading the Parade of Athletes will be co-Grand Marshals Shaquem Griffin, the Seattle Seahawks’ talented and inspiring rookie linebacker and Tim Corrigan, a 75-year-old Special Olympics athlete who lit the torch and competed at the first Special Olympics games in 1968 in Chicago. This year, marks the 50th anniversary of the Special Olympics movement.

“We’re really excited to add these talented performers to an already impressive lineup,” said Jayme Powers, Executive Producer and COO for the Special Olympics USA Games. “The Opening Ceremony will provide a powerful way to kick-off the USA Games by creating a once-in-a-lifetime entertainment experience for all of our athletes, volunteers and spectators.”

Dignitaries scheduled to speak at the Opening Ceremony include: Washington Governor Jay Inslee, Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella, Microsoft President and Honorary Chairman of the 2018 USA Games, Brad Smith; and Tim Shriver, Chairman of Special Olympics International.

ESPN, the official media partner of the 2018 USA Games, will telecast the Opening Ceremony live on ABC beginning at 12:30 p.m. PT/3:30 p.m. ET. ESPN’s Kevin Negandhi will serve as host.

For more information on the 2018 USA Games and to purchase tickets for the Opening Ceremony, visit SpecialOlympicsUSAGames.org.

Microsoft is the Presenting Partner of the Opening Ceremony and the Premier Partner of the 2018 Special Olympics USA Games.

About the 2018 Special Olympics USA Games

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Media Contact

Jaymelina Esmele, 2018 Special Olympics USA Games

jesmele@specialolympicsusagames.org

(206) 788-8964