By Crystal Thompson To most athletes, the thrill of competition
and the rigor of testing one's physical and mental limits is
what makes sports so enticing. For those with mental and
developmental disabilities, however, the ability to compete and
excel in activities such as swimming, bicycling, track, or
skiing may seem limited and perhaps even out of reach. Since
1968 a program called The Special Olympics has provided a place
for people with disabilities to overcome challenges and come
together to participate in programs of physical fitness, sports
training and athletic competition. The Special Olympics Montana
State Summer Games are set to take place in Billings, May 16-18.
Special Olympics Montana is a nonprofit organization designed to
provide year-round athletic programs to children and adults with
mental retardation and closely related developmental
disabilities. Special Olympics serves athletes at all ability
levels by assigning them to "competition divisions" based on
both age and actual performance. T