Preparations are beginning for the 2003 West Virginia Special Olympics Summer Games to be held June 6-8 at West Virginia University. This is the sixth consecutive year the games have been held in Morgantown and hosted by WVU .

“We are now seeking about 1,500 volunteers from the local area to help run the Summer Games,”said Nancy Moore, volunteer coordinator.”Each year, the event increases in excitement as more special athletes compete in these important summer games,”she said.”This is a wonderful opportunity for residents, employees and students to get involved in a worthwhile community activity. Participants always tell me how rewarding it is to help the athletes and to be a part of their joy and achievement.”

Close to 700 athletes from most of West Virginia’s 55 counties are expected to participate in events ranging from bocce and swimming to track and field.

“Volunteers of all ages help athletes get to and from the games, provide encouragement, keep score, register teams, help run extracurricular activities in the Olympic Village, provide first aid, assist with opening and closing ceremonies and generally just help out in all aspects of the competition and pageantry,”Moore said.

Opening ceremonies, as well as other special events, will be announced later this spring, but Moore is encouraging Morgantown and area residents to mark the evening of Friday, June 6, on their calendars to welcome the athletes in style and to demonstrate pride in hosting these special activities.

“Spectator attendance at the opening ceremony is especially important to the athletes,”she said.

To help with the games, volunteers must fill out applications that are available by calling a special hotline number 1-888-988-2269. Applications are also available online athttp://www.wvu.edu/specialolympics. This site also provides event and competition schedules, a venue map, volunteer information (including job descriptions), news and other information about the Special Olympics activities.

Last year, approximately 1,000 volunteers from around the state assisted in the games that were attended by nearly 700 athletes and their families.

For more information, call the hotline, or Moore at 304-293-2269 or email specialolympics@mail.wvu.edu .