SPECIAL OLYMPICS NEW HAMPSHIRE ATHLETES WIN MEDALS AT THE 2007 WORLD SUMMER GAMES

[Manchester, NH – October 11, 2007] – After months of training and preparation, two Special Olympics New Hampshire (SONH) athletes won medals at the 2007 Special Olympics World Summer Games in Shanghai, China.

Thomas Liseno, of Somersworth, NH, won a gold medal in the long jump.  He also finished in seventh place at the 100M run. Thomas has been involved with SONH for 13 years.

Tracy Bleyler, of Lebanon, NH competed in the bowling competition, winning a bronze medal in Bowling Doubles with a final score of 202.  She finished in fourth place on the USA Bowling Team.  Bleyler has been involved with Special Olympics New Hampshire since 2002.  Before moving to New Hampshire, Tracy competed at Special Olympics Virginia. 

More than 500 athletes, coaches and official delegates from all 50 states were members of Team USA. Both New Hampshire athletes had members of their families attend the Games. This was the first time that either athlete had attended a Special Olympics World Summer Games.

Nearly 7,500 athletes of all ability levels from 165 countries competed in 25 Olympic-type and demonstration sports at the 2007 World Games.  Special Olympics Team USA participated in aquatics, athletics, basketball, bocce, bowling,

cycling, equestrian, golf, gymnastics, power lifting, roller skating, sailing, soccer, softball, tennis and volleyball. 

Bleyler and Liseno arrive back to the United States Saturday evening.

About Special Olympics New Hampshire

 Special Olympics New Hampshire provides year-round participation in sports training and athletic competition in a variety of well-coached Olympic-type sports for all individuals with mental challenges by providing athletes with continuing opportunities to develop physical fitness skills, express courage, experience joy and participate in the sharing of talents, skills and friendship with their families, friends, other Special Olympics athletes and the community.

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