Running family sets sites on Ireland

Special Olympians to compete among 7,000 athletes

"Let me win. But if I cannot win, let me brave in the attempt."

This is the athletes' oath of the Special Olympics, and local Olympians George Dodge and his son, William, certainly exemplify the motto.

The father-son duo from North Las Vegas have run together the last six years and will travel to Ireland, along with six other local athletes, June 21-29, to represent the United States at the Special Olympics World Summer Games.

George Dodge, 42, and William Dodge, 14, each won gold medals in the Nevada Special Olympics last summer to qualify for the World Games, where they'll compete in a half-marathon among more than 7,000 athletes with developmental disabilities from more than 160 countries.

George Dodge, a native of Las Vegas, suffered a traumatic brain injury in a car accident in 1989, which left him in a coma for three weeks and permanently impaired his memory and his ability to cope on an everyday basis.

"I didn't know who (my wife) was, or that I was a dad," Dodge said. "I had to be taught everything all over."

Dodge, who has been married to Debbie for 21 years -- they've had nine children together -- said he wept tears of joy when he learned of his selection to compete in Ireland with his son, who has a developmental disability and is an eighth grader at Robison Middle School.

"I won't be the oldest, but I'll probably be the only grandfather there," Dodge said.

Likewise, William Dodge will likely be one of the youngest competitors in the half-marathon. William started running with his father when he was 8 years old and shortly thereafter completed a half-marathon, in just one hour, 43 minutes.

"He'd see me get up every morning and run," George Dodge said. "And he said 'dad, will you teach me to run?' "

William, who hopes to run for Eldorado next year -- where his older sister Noralee Dodge excelled in cross country -- said getting up early is the toughest part. He doesn't tire easily.

"I just saw (my dad) doing it one day and I wanted to try it," he said. "It's fun."

George Dodge has completed the Las Vegas International Marathon, but William is still too young to go the distance in that one. However, he routinely runs past his dad now in training.

"Now he blows me out of the water," said George, proudly. "At the end of the day, the last 250 yards, he turns it on like a jet."

Special Olympics isn't about winning and losing, though, it's about the chance to compete in sports and life, showcasing athletic skills, courage and dignity along the way.

"William pushes him and he pushes William," Debbie Dodge said. "William goes to a regular school and takes some regular classes, but Special Olympics has taught him it's not about who wins or loses.

"I think it's taught William a lot and he can carry that with him into other things. It improves his self-esteem."

Jill Osur, senior vice-president of marketing and development for Special Olympics Nevada, agrees.

"Teamwork tends to be a real significant attitude across Special Olympics. They can all be running down the track and if one person falls, they all stop to see if he's all right, and they run across the finish line together," she said. "It's about competing for the love of the sport and making friends and lifelong relationships.

"What's great about these two is they're they only father and son combo, I know of, at the World Games that are developmental."

This summer's World Games are expected to be the largest sporting event in the world in 2003.

In addition to the athletes, more than 3,000 coaches and official delegates are expected to take part, along with more than 30,000 volunteers. The athletes will compete in everything from aquatics to Equestrian to table tennis.

In addition to George and William Dodge, the Nevada delegation will feature athletes Brianne Treants, Matthew Fiscus, John Moore, Julio Montez, Melissa Rufino and Billy Greenwood, along with coaches Joseph Booze and Sheila Leech. Curt Stockett will also attend as head of Nevada's delegation.

"I can't wait to go. It will be fun. I love my team," said Treants, a 21-year-old from Las Vegas who will compete in rhythmic gymnastics. "I'm a little nervous about competing, but I will try hard and do my best."

More than 1,100 athletes are expected to compete in the Nevada Special Olympics 2003 Summer Games, which will take place May 30 to June 1 at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas.

Currently more than a million individuals around the world participate in Special Olympics. Overall, there are close to 170 million people in the world, with mental retardation, who could benefit from physical exercise, build self-esteem through sports and become more productive members of society.

Possible benefits include improved physical fitness and sports skills; enhanced self-confidence and social competency; greater readiness for employment; better preparation for independent living; an increased ability to make personal decisions; and improved friendships and family relationships.

While the programs are always free for the athletes, Special Olympics has to raise $5,000 per athlete it sends to the World Games. Those interested can call 474-0690. Also, for every old cell phone donated, sponsor Cingular Wireless will donate $5 to Special Olympics.


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