Scott Hamilton, Vanessa Williams and Cingular Wireless CEO Stephen Carter Among Special Olympics' New International Board Members

3/8/2002

From: Kirsten Suto of the Special Olympics, 202-824-0303; e-mail: ksuto@specialolympics.org

WASHINGTON, March 8 -- Olympic gold-medal figure skater Scott Hamilton, actress/singer Vanessa Williams, and Cingular Wireless President and CEO Stephen Carter are among eight new members joining Special Olympics' international Board of Directors.

The Special Olympics Board is the ultimate governing authority for the entire Special Olympics movement. Its members manage the global affairs and strategies of Special Olympics, determine its policies and programs, and oversee top-level management. In addition to Hamilton, Williams and Carter, the new Board members include: Martha Beck, Ph.D., author and "life coach"; Nadia Comaneci, Olympic gold-medal gymnast; Jim Jordan, President of Special Olympics Canada; and Fumeke Sarr, Chairperson of Special Olympics Gambia.

"We are fortunate to have the passionate commitment of these men and women who are distinguished experts in their fields," said Special Olympics President and CEO Timothy Shriver. "It's this kind of accomplished leadership and influential advocacy that will help catapult the growth of the Special Olympics movement throughout the world."

Martha Beck, writer and "life coach," is the author of several books, including the bestselling Expecting Adam, which recounts her experience bearing and raising a son who was prenatally diagnosed with Down syndrome. Her articles have appeared in many national magazines and she is currently a columnist for O, the Oprah Magazine. She holds three degrees from Harvard University.

Stephen Carter, president and chief executive officer of Cingular Wireless, was appointed to this position July 2000. As CEO of the second-largest wireless carrier in the United States, Carter is responsible for Cingular's nationwide wireless operations, serving more than 21.6 million customers. With a four-year goal of raising $40 million for Special Olympics by 2003, Cingular has successfully reached the halfway point by raising more than $20.4 million in two years. A native of London, England, Carter holds a master's degree from the Business School at the City of London University.

Born in Romania, Nadia Comaneci made history at the 1976 Olympics in Montreal, Canada, becoming the first gymnast to ever score a perfect 10. At those Olympic Games she received seven perfect 10s, three gold medals, one silver and one bronze. She and her husband, Olympic gymnastic champion Bart Conner, live in Norman, Oklahoma, where they run a gymnastics school. Comaneci has supported Special Olympics through clinics and gymnastics demonstrations at Special Olympics World Games for more than 10 years.

Ohio-born Olympic gold-medal figure skater Scott Hamilton won 16 consecutive championships before his 1984 Olympic Games triumph in Sarajevo. Hamilton became a professional figure skater with the Ice Capades from 1984 - 1986 and performed in 15 national touring seasons in Stars On Ice which he co-created and co-produced.

Jim Jordan was named President of Special Olympics Canada in 1990 after serving as executive Director of Special Olympics Ontario from 1987 - 1990. He also was Executive Director of the 1986 Special Olympics Canada Summer Games.

Born in Banjul, The Republic of The Gambia, Fumeke Sarr's career has been in hotel management both in The Republic of the Gambia and Senegal. Sarr was introduced to Special Olympics Gambia in 1994 and became a Board Member in 1995. In 1999, Sarr was elected Chairperson of the Board. Through her leadership, the number of athletes increased and the Program introduced the sport of bocce.

Vanessa Williams has sold more than 4 million albums worldwide and her skills as an actress on stage, in film and on television have earned praise from critics. Williams launched her recording career in 1988 with her first album, "The Right Stuff," which went gold and earned her three Grammy Award nominations. She recently starred opposite John Lithgow in TNT's Don Quixote and with Arnold Schwarzenegger in Warner Brothers' action thriller, Eraser.

These leaders join current Special Olympics Board members, including: Eunice Kennedy Shriver, Special Olympics Founder and Honorary Chairman; Sargent Shriver, Chairman of the Board; Calvin Hill, Professional Sports Consultant, Former Vice President of Baltimore Orioles and Former NFL Star with the Dallas Cowboys, Washington Redskins and Cleveland Browns; Peter Lynch, Trustee, Fidelity Group of Funds, Vice Chairman, Fidelity Management & Research Company; Deng PuFang, Chairman, China Disabled Persons Federation; and Bart Conner, Olympic Gymnastics Gold Medalist.

Special Olympics is an international year-round program of sports training and competition for individuals with mental retardation. More than one million athletes in more than 160 countries train and compete in 26 Olympic-type summer and winter sports. Founded in 1968 by Eunice Kennedy Shriver, Special Olympics provides people with mental retardation continuing opportunities to develop fitness, demonstrate courage and experience joy as they participate in the sharing of gifts and friendship with other athletes, their families and the community. There is no cost to participate in Special Olympics.

Special Olympics is grateful to its Global Partners -- The Phoenix Companies, Inc., America Online, The Coca-Cola Company, Lions Clubs International -- for providing ongoing funding and support to its global mission.

Visit Special Olympics online at http://www.specialolympics.org/.