This article is from the Extension Connection newsletter, Summer 2006.

Rich Fellingham and John Kohles both “carry a torch” for Special Olympics. Fellingham is Special Olympics Iowa president and Kohles, a 13-year-old Belmond native, is a Special Olympics global messenger. Both are responsible, each in his own way, for helping bring 55,000 people to Ames, July 1–7.

Fellingham encouraged Extension’s University Conference Services (UCS) to submit a site proposal to host the first ever Special Olympics USA National Games. Based on his Special Olympics Iowa experiences, he knew Ames, Iowa State University and Iowans were capable of handling the event.

“Ames was selected to host the Games because the University Conference Services and Ames Convention and Visitors Bureau partnership offered access to campus and community venues, which kept all components of the Games in the Ames area,” Fellingham said. “Twenty years from now, people still will be talking about ISU and Ames hosting the first ever National Games.”

Ames welcomed the 3,000 athletes, 2,000 coaches and delegates, 12,000 family members and friends, 8,000 volunteers and 30,000 spectators. In return, the Games brought an economic boost to Central Iowa.

Over the seven days of activities, it is estimated that nearly $13 million of tourism spending occurred. In addition, the event sponsors’ spending was estimated at $9 million on goods and services leading up to the event and during the event. The combined direct and secondary economic effects of the Games are estimated at more than $35 million, with anticipated future economic benefits from the national showcasing of ISU, Ames and Central Iowa.

With the National Games spotlight on him, John Kohles, an Iowa Special Olympics athlete and the youngest U.S. Special Olympics global messenger, has been busy sharing his message through speaking engagements and media interviews.

“People with intellectual disabilities are no different from other people except we have disabilities,” Kohles said. “We can do many things, and we just want to be friends.”

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