More than a thousand Iowans with mental disabilities are meeting in Iowa City for the start of the 11th annual Mid-Winter Tournament. Today’s Special Olympics activities are mostly social — a banquet and dance — while the athletic events begin tomorrow morning. Chuck Reed is spokesman for the Iowa Special Olympics and says there are events in four sports: basketball,gymnastics, weightlifting and cheerleading. Reed says the athletes cover a wide range of ages. Reed says Special Olympics is a year-round, statewidesports and athletic training program for more than 10-thousand Iowans with mental disabilities. He says it helps keep them physically active, meetingnew friends and it teaches them discipline. Tournament events at the University of Iowa campus are open to the public. There is no admissioncharge.
