"The freethinking of one age is the common sense of the next."           — Matthew Arnold, 1875 In 1968, when Special Olympics began, the idea that people with intellectual disabilities could take part in Olympic-type sports training and athletic competition was considered "freethinking." Today, it is common sense. The 2005 Special Olympics Global Athlete Congress was held 6-8 June 2005 in Panama City. The 67 athletes from 35 countries worked behind closed doors in private, athletes-only discussions to develop a strategy that will set precedents and affect athletes for years to come. After extensive discussion, athletes voted on the topics they were considering in order to provide their input to the movement; in the above photo, they are using red, green or yellow cards to indicate their selections. Some people still believe that the idea of Special Olympics athletes in full and meaningful participation leadership positions in the movement is "freethinking” or tokenism. But at Special Olympics, the "next age" has arrived. Special Olympics Athlete Leadership Programs (ALPs) allow athletes to explore opportunities for participation in roles previously considered “non-traditional.” Through ALPs, athletes serve on Boards of Directors or local organizing committees. Athletes excel as spokespersons, team captains, coaches and officials. As an integral component of Special Olympics' dedication to empowerment and dignity, ALPs initiatives provide new opportunities for athletes and benefit the movement as a whole. For example, at the 2005 Special Olympics Global Athlete Congress, held 6-8 June 2005 in Panama City, 67 athletes from 35 countries worked behind closed doors in private, athletes-only discussions to develop a strategy that will set precedents and affect Special Olympics athletes for years to come. (More on the 2005 Special Olympics Global Athlete Congress, including Delegates' biographies, topics of discussion, and photo gallery.) Learn more about Athlete Leadership Programs by visiting the Compete section of this Web site. Questions can also be directed to Dave Lenox, Vice President, Sports & Competition, +1 (202) 628-3630 or dlenox@specialolympics.org. For more information on specific ALPs initiatives, visit the links below: ALPs Training Athletes on Boards of Directors Athletes as Coaches Athletes as Officials Athletes as Volunteers Global Messengers