2007 World Games in China
Wisconsin athletes arrive home from the World Games in China
Three athletes from Wisconsin joined nearly 400 athletes representing the United States as Team USA at the recent 2007 Special Olympics World Summer Games in Shanghai, China.
Team USA-Wisconsin congratulates Maren Meister of St. Croix Falls, Tim Maloney of Wauwatosa and Christopher Jenkins of Kaukauna as they recently returned their 19-day venture to China.
Not only did the athletes spend a few days living the Chinese culture as they adjusted to the time change, but they also experienced a Special Olympics Opening Ceremony like no other, including a major fireworks show and honored guests such as basketball star Yao Ming, actor Colin Farrell, Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, and more. The highlight was the arrival of the "Flame of Hope" which lit the cauldron after traveling around the globe for months to kick off the games
Following their sports competitions and awards ceremonies, the Closing Ceremony ended the world event with another spectacular fireworks show and countless acts of singing, dancing and a welcome by from USA's own state of Idaho as they carry the torch for the upcoming World Winter Games in 2009.
Thank you to Miller Reach for sponsoring Team USA-Wisconsin in the 2007 World Summer Games in China.
Competition Results
- Maren Meister
Bowling Doubles - 5th Place
Bowling Singles - 4th Place
Bowling Team - 6th Place
- Tim Maloney
Athletics 400M Walk - 2nd Place Silver
Athletics 800M Walk - 1st Place Gold
- Christopher Jenkins
Golf 18 Hole - 1st Place Gold
World Games Links
Updates
10-15-2007
Everyone has arrived home safely!
Maren Meister, Tim Maloney and Christopher Jenkins at Knott's Berry Farm amusement park in China
10-10-2007
Maren Meister gives a speech at a New York University reception prior to a production of Hamlet
Several athletes and coaches from Team USA attended an evening show of Shakespeare's "Hamlet," performed in Chinese.
The group began their evening with a reception hosted by New York University (NYU), as they host more than 50 students studying abroad in Shanghai. Each athlete and coach was presented with an NYU T-shirt and tables of wonderful food, some Chinese, and some more western to make athletes feel at home.
Wisconsin athlete Maren Meister offered words of thanks in a speech, ending with leading the athlete oath to share with the group what the athletes were all about. The group was then escorted to the theater, which had just been built to release the Shakespeare play, "Hamlet." This was the first time ever for this show to be performed in China as part of the Shanghai Experimental Theater Festival. Actors included current professors, and current and alumni students, some who spent over an hour and a half to do makeup (see photos in gallery for today). The script took over one month to transcribe from English to Chinese and was led in production by New York University Professor Richard Schechner. (from www.specialolympicsteamusa.org)
10-9-2007
Timothy Maloney and Deb Moore-Gruenloh at Athletics Competition
Timothy Maloney competing in the 800M Walk
Christopher Jenkins competing in 18-hole golf
Christopher Jenkins at golf competition
10-5-2007
Competition has begun for much of the World Games athletes. Click here to check out results or stay tuned to this Web page as Team Wisconsin's results will be posted as they come in.
Maren Meister and supporters during bowling competition
10-2-2007
The Opening Ceremonies were held today. Check out photos and stories at the Team USA Web site. Check ABC.com for coverage of the event.
Timothy Maloney and Deb Moore-Gruenloh at the Opening Ceremonies
10-1-2007
After arriving in China, athletes have been participating in Host Town programs and enjoying Chinese culture.
Christopher Jenkins (in the middle with baseball hat) and other Team USA athletes wave goodbye from the LA International Airport
Maren Meister conducts a TV interview
Tim Maloney shows off some Chinese currency
9-26-07 Team USA-Wisconsin embarks on journey to China
Special Olympics Wisconsin athletes Christopher Jenkins, Timothy Maloney, Maren Meister and coach Deb Moore-Gruenloh were featured Wednesday in a press conference send-off breakfast before heading to Shanghai, China, September 26th for the 2007 Special Olympics World Summer Games. Local media joined Bucky Badger and UW announcer Matt Lepay to wish the athletes good luck. Team USA departed from Dane County Regional Airport the morning of September 26th. The athletes were officially escorted by law enforcement officers to their flight gate for a grand send-off. Jenkins, Maloney and Meister joined the rest of a 540-member delegation in Los Angeles for another celebration before departing for Shanghai.
For more updates, visit the Team USA Web site.
Team USA Training Camp
Special Olympics athletes from across America gathered in Nashville in July for the 2007 Special Olympics Team USA Training Camp as they get ready to represent the U.S. in the 2007 World Games in Shanghai.
Nearly 400 athletes and 150 coaches and managers traveled to Vanderbilt University to participate
in sports training, team building activities and to learn about the Chinese culture in preparation
for their September 27th departure to China for the World Games, which take place October 2-11,
2007 and will feature nearly 7,500 athletes from 165 countries.
Team USA - Wisconsin Athletes
Christopher Jenkins of Kaukauna - Golf
Click here to read Christopher's Press Release
Christopher Jenkins, 24 years old and originally from Kaukauna, Wisconsin,
participates with Special Olympics in the Kaukauna Public Schools. He has been
a Special Olympics Wisconsin athlete for 16 years. Jenkins is sure to stand
out at the 2007 Special Olympics World Games in Shanghai as he stands 6 feet,
4 inches tall with a size 15 shoe.
Jenkins is a proud participant in Special Olympics Wisconsin. He has trained
in golf for ten years, and has earned a gold medal at the state level. "I
meet a lot of people, and it's a lot of fun," Jenkins said. "I'm
proud of my accomplishments. I get to compete at the things I like to do.
It's changed my life for the better."
Jenkins plans to compete in Golf at the 2007 Special Olympics World Summer
Games in Shanghai, China. He has never competed in a World Games before and
is excited. When asked what attending the World Games means to him, Jenkins
said, "It's exciting and interesting. I get to go someplace I
never dreamed I would get to go."
In addition to competing in Golf, Jenkins also enjoys playing basketball
and learning about NASCAR.
Maren Meister of St. Croix Falls - Bowling
Click here to read Maren's Press
Release
Maren Meister, 23, will represent Wisconsin by competing in Bowling at the
2007 Special Olympics World Summer Games in Shanghai, China. Meister is from
St. Croix Falls, Wisconsin and has competed with the Polk County Special
Olympics program for ten years. When asked what attending the Special Olympics
World Games means to her, Meister said she is honored and that, "I
will do my very best."
In addition to training and competing in Bowling, Meister enjoys singing,
dancing, playing the piano, hanging out with friends and watching television.
She is known for her positive attitude and said, "Special Olympics
has taught me that no matter how well or bad you do, if you have any special
dreams, you can achieve them."
Timothy Maloney of Wauwatosa - Athletics
Click here to read Timothy's Press Release
Timothy Maloney is 27 years old and from Wauwatosa, Wisconsin. He will compete
in track and field at the 2007 Special Olympics World Summer Games in Shanghai,
China.
Maloney has received many honors from Special Olympics Wisconsin including
various bowling medals, the Wauwatosa Agency Athlete of the Year Award, and
his family received Family of the Year Award from the Organization. Maloney
believes Special Olympics has changed his life and says that over the years
he has enjoyed making lifelong friends, traveling independently, and competing
on various teams.
Maloney stays active in his free time by walking, lifting weights and playing
golf. An active member of Special Olympics, Maloney trains and competes in
golf, bowling and basketball in addition to track and field. When he is not
playing sports he works for McDonald's where he has been employed for
15 years.
2007 World Games Team USA Wisconsin Sponsor
