Be a Fan. Share Your Spirit

Steve Berry is a 58-year-old rock climber with a new hip. Determined to get back on the rock in less time than the three months his doctor estimated, he put his whole heart into physical therapy and returned to climbing in only two months.

Sean O'Rourke is a cyclist who recently flatted in a Seneca Falls 15K race. Instead of dropping out he shouldered his bike and walked--just so he could finish the race.

On the outside it might look like O'Rourke and Berry don't have a lot in common. Berry seeks slow deliberate movement on rock while O'Rourke just wants to go fast on the road. O'Rourke is also a special Olympic athlete and Berry is not, but you wouldn't know that from hearing their stories.

The thing Berry and O'Rourke do have in common is they are both athletes, and like any athlete they are determined to succeed.

Be a Fan. Share Your Spirit

To celebrate what it means to be an athlete, the 2009 Special Olympics World Winter Games developed the Be a Fan. Share Your Spirit contest.

"We chose five attributes that are relevant to all athletes: Strength, determination, community, inspiration and empowerment," says Heather Hill, vice president of marketing for the World Winter Games.

As more than 3000 athletes from 100 countries get ready to compete in Boise, Idaho this February, you could win a seven day trip to see the competition. Just pick a theme and share your story--video or text--on what that value means to you as an athlete.
 
"There is a long-standing myth that Special Olympics athletes are just out there for a hug," says Hill.

But Special Olympics athletes have the same strength, determination and pride as any other athlete. They draw on inspiration and community to get through everything from a bad injury to a grueling race. All athletes know what it feels like to work hard, dig deep, and fight for success and personal bests.
 
"They are a population that wants to be empowered," says Hill. "They want to be cheered on as much as you and I do and they want to win as much as any athlete wants to win."

Now through December 31 there will be bi-weekly drawings from new submissions. Prizes include a printer package from Hewlett Packard and World Winter Games gear. Fourteen finalists will win a Canon Power Shot camera and one grand prize winner will win a trip to the games including car rental, tickets to the opening ceremonies, a camcorder, printer package and World Winter Games gear.

This is more than just a fun contest. "It's a way to dispel long-standing myths and build new opportunities to embrace all athletes," says Hill, whether they are getting back on the rock after major surgery or fighting to cross the finish line in a race.