September 2016 . Reminder – Travel itieneraries Deadline for submitting the travel information was July 15th for the Delegations from East Asia, Europe Eurasia, Mena and North America. We are still missing the information from many Delegations. See attached overview. Please submit the missing information ASAP!! Deadline for the Delegations from Africa, Asia Pacific and Latin America is September 15th. It is very important that your Delegation arrive and depart from the airport you have been notified by the GOC. If you choose other airports, your will be responsible for all costs related to the transportation to the Host Town. Delegations arriving before March 14th and departing after March 25th will be responsible for their own accomodation and all costs related to this. Also, there will be an additional fee of 5 Euro pr. person, pr. day for insurance coverage. HOD-Seminar 27-31 October in Graz Please send us the travel forms for the HOD Seminar in October. The shuttle service from the airport or trainstation in only from GRAZ. If you have staying additional nights, you have to pay the additional costs directly to the hotel. Accomodation / location for the HOD at Games time. The GOC needs to know which location (Graz/Schladming/Rohrmos) each Delegations HOD plan to stay at Games time. Please fill out the attached form and return it to delegation.sercive@austria2017.org no later than October 1st

#7. Delegation Update

Cool School Program: With the „Cool School“ Program we offer partnerships between schools and SO athletes. We want to enable school classes personal contact with Special Olympics athletes. In the course of a partnership Austrian students can organise projects together with SO athletes. Students who adopt athletes will be connected to the athletes and act as their fan club during the Special Olympics World Winter Games 2017. Of course we want to find a fan club for each athlete or delegation. Therefore, Austrian teachers will contact you to arrange these partnerships and projects. Requests for partnerships will be facilitated through delegation services: : Delegation Services will inform the delegations and schools will contact them. Family Tour „Imperial Austria“: The Games is offering a special tour experience for Families and friends prior to the start of the Games. Immerse yourself in Austria’s imperial history and visit many of the top historic and cultural sites. For more detail and pricing information, visit the link below. Vienna – Salzburg- Bad Ischl – Schladming/Graz

12.-17- March 2017

http://www.austria2017.org/en/be-part-of-it/familien/family-tour Healthy Athletes There will be a Healthy Athletes Program with the following health examinations: Fit Feet, Fun Fitness, Health Promotion, Healthy Hearing, Opening Eyes, Special Smile and a pilot program – Strong Minds. Screenings: 19 - 23. March 2017 - 10am - 7pm – times tentative (Open to all athletes) 24. March 2017 - 11:30am - 4:30pm - times tentative (Open only to athletes competing in Schladming/Ramsau) Place: Messe Congress Nord (Convention Center Graz) Shuttle for the Athletes from Schladming/Ramsau to Graz that they can participate in the HA Program NEW: Strong minds Program - Emotional wellness - coping with stress

Submit your questions prior to the HOD seminar. The GOC is working hard to prepare the HOD seminar in October. To be in the best position to meet the participants expectations and needs, we offer an opportunity for you to submit any questions you may have in advanced. Please take this opportunity and submit the attached form where you can ask your question. We will endeavor to answer these questions during the HOD Seminar in October in Graz. Promotional Tools – Six mont Countdown to World Games Our biggest job, one we work at every day, is fighting the stigma that people with intellectual disabilities experience at work, in the classroom, in their communities and at play. We use our Games to change perceptions and show the world what people with intellectual disabilities can do. We hold World Games to provide a powerful demonstration of what a world of full inclusion for people with intellectual disabilities really means. Get excited! In almost six months we will be holding our 2017 Special Olympics World Winter Games in Austria. Today, we are sharing with you a toolkit of materials to help you engage media and key influencers to secure their interest in either attending or covering our upcoming World Winter Games in 2017 in Austria. We need your help to get the word out! These tools will help you to build awareness that the Games are coming and that there is something for everyone – Opening and Closing Ceremonies, Host Town, Healthy Athletes, Unified Sports competitions, our Law Enforcement Torch Run and much more! Included in the toolkit are:

• A World Games Brochure that you should send to all of your key influencers • A World Games Fact Sheet that serves as a handy reference guide for media • Social Media Activation tools, including guidance on appropriate messaging to push out

on your social media platforms and graphics/photos for use on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter

• Key Messages to ensure you are reinforcing our key talking points • A Localized Press Release promoting the 6-month milestone to encourage awareness

among the media that the Games are coming • A 40-second promotional video spotlighting the passion and strengths of Special

Olympics athletes • A list of Content Ideas on ways in which you can insert the Games messaging into

existing or upcoming editorial opportunities Here is a direct link to the toolkit as well: http://resources.specialolympics.org/2017-World-Winter-Games-Resources/

Dance contest The Special Olyympics World Winter Games 2017 will offer to all athletes staying in the city of Graz and participating in the following sports: Floorball, Floorhockey, Figure Skating, Speed Skating and Stick Shooting, the option to participate in an additional sport: Dancing. If your team have talents in dancing be so free and fill out the necessary registration form and become familiar with the dancing contest process. (Confere the attachments).

General Sports Highlight: 1. The competition rules adopted by the International Sports Federation and Special Olympics, Inc. as of 2014 will govern competition at the 2017 Special Olympics World Winter Games. The international sport federation competition rules shall be employed except when in conflict with the Official Special Olympics Sports Rules. In such cases, the Official Special Olympics Sports Rules shall apply. Special Olympics rules can currently be found at: resources.specialolympics.org 2. There shall be no advertising on the competition uniform. Please refer to General Rules Section 4.08 Cross Country Skiing It will be possible at the Venue to wax the Ski equiepment (Wax room available and Team designated) The Teams have to bring there own wax utensils themselves. The GOC will not provide equipment at the Venue. Rental is possible close to the Venue but have to be done by the Teams themselves. For Rules informations please go to resources.specialolympics.org (see 2014 Rules) Alpine Skiing Points of Emphasis • A helmet appropriate for alpine ski racing is required for all competitors for all training and

competition. • Skiers are required to have their own skis, boots, ski poles and appropriate ski racing attire

to include: gloves, goggles, race uniform, other ski related clothing, gate protective gear/body armor and any equipment that may be necessary for a physical disability (i.e. mono ski, bi ski). The Games Organizing Committee will not provide equipment, such as skis, boots, poles or tethers; this is the responsibility of the delegation.

• Athletes are required to run all Assessment, Divisioning and Competition race runs in the same attire and on the same equipment for consistency.

The GOC recommending for safety reasons to use a new FIS Helmet but it is not mandatory. The GOC also for safety reasons recommending to use a back protector but it is not mandatory • Please note that the competition will take place on 3 different Slopes – Advanced, Intermedia

and Novide and only 2 starts are possible. • Assesment will be on the same Slope as for further races (Divisioning and Finals) • All other Slopes Details will be distributed at the HOD Meeting in October 2016 • It will be possible at the Venue to wax the Ski equiepment (Wax room available and Team

designated) The Teams have to bring there own wax utensils themselves. The GOC will not provide equipment at the Venue.

• For further Rules informations please go to resources.specialolympics.org Short Track Speed Skating Rules – Points of Emphasis

• The maximum number of skaters on the start line is: o Four (4) for distances of 500 meters or less, o Six (6) for distances 777 meters and longer.

• Modifications to number of skaters on line will be announced as required for race efficiency and/or safety by the race officials, at the Coaches meeting prior to the games.

• If a division consists of more skaters than the race distance allows on the line, then two (2) division semi final heats and 2 finals will be raced. The competitors order of start shall be determined by preliminary time rankings. Competitors shall be ranked by fastest to slowest time in their respective division preliminaries.

• Semi Final Heat #1 will be composed of competitors ranked 1, 4, 5, 8. Semi Final Heat #2 will be composed of competitors ranked 2, 3, 6, 7.

o Qualifications for the Finals will be determined by the number of finalists allowed by distance on the line.

• Short track speed skating is a race of speed combined with tactics. Short track speed skating after the divisioning is not a time trial. The winner is determined by the placing over the finish line. This may involve drafting and sprinting, therefore in order to facilitate tactical competition, the maximum effort rule will not apply in events when there are semi finals and finals. Size of divisions will not be known till after divisioning. Therefore all divisioning heats should be raced as a time trial with maximum effort from all athletes.

• A skater who exceeds a time of 20% better than the time recorded for divisioning, or for a reported time shall be subject to disqualification. This applies to those events that do not have semi-finals.

• It is the responsibility of the coach to submit an improved performance time, if the time recorded in the divisioning competition is not a true reflection of the skater’s ability. Competition management must receive the “Improved performance form” within 30 minutes of the divisioning race. Forms will be available at the Sports information desk.

Attire and Equipment General • There will be inspection of equipment prior to allowing skaters on the ice. • Athletes must bring their own speed skates, protective gear and uniform, which must

comply with International Skating Union (ISU) Rules. • Athletes can be disqualified for not wearing the proper equipment and for illegal actions

during competition. • Do NOT expect to purchase or borrow equipment in Austria. Come prepared! • An electronic starter’s gun will be used to start the races. This will have a loud sound and

a flash to start the race. A double shot fired after the start of the race is to return the skaters to the start. This is signaling a false start.

For athletes that are hearing impaired the dropping of a hand or flag shall accompany the sound of the gun to signify the start of the race. Coaches shall notify Referee of any athletes that are hearing impaired at the first Coaches Meeting.

Headgear Safety headgear must be in compliance Full finger (Cut proof ) Gloves ; with current ASTM standards. See sample below. See example below.

Knee and shin protector. See examples.

Neck protection Neck protection must extend below the collar. See examples below.

Coaches Meetings

• Each head coach must attend the head coaches’ meetings during the Games. Updates shall be made available at the Sports Information Desk and accommodations.

• Coaches are requested to provide questions in writing in advance of the meetings. • Questions are to be submitted to the Sports Information Desk (SID).

Improved Performance Form

• If during the divisioning the coach feels that the athlete’s time does not reflect the athlete’s ability, the coach may make an adjustment at the Sports Information Desk.

• If a skaters falls during divisioning, it is extremely important that the coach adjust the official time for that event and submit to the Sports Information Desk within 30 minutes of the event in which they fell. Estimate how much time was lost or submit a known time from practice.

• It is important that coaches KNOW the athletes normal performance times at a distances before arriving at the games.

• The form must have the adjusted time the coach believes the skater would have completed under normal circumstances.

• The form must have the skater's bib number, the Delegation name, Skater's name, gender, distance of event, the adjusted time requested and coaches name and signature and the time the form was submitted to officials at the Sports Information Desk. For Rules informations please go to resources.specialolympics.org (see 2014 Rules) Venue Specifications All informations and Venueplan will be distributed at the HOD Meeting in October 2016 Floorball: Points of Emphasis

• All Equipment must be IFF certified (sticks and goalkeeper helmet) player’s clothing • There will be helmet safety inspection prior to start of competition.

• For all other Floorball Rules details – see to resources.specialolympics.org • The Swiss ladder system will be used for Divisioning • Traditionel and Unified games will be played on a IFF court 24x12m.

Unified FLOORBALL observer sheet Special Olympics Unified Sports combines people with and without intellectual disabilities on sports teams for training and competition. People with intellectual disabilities are classified as Special Olympics Athletes, and people without intellectual disabilities are classified as Unified Partners. At the World Games level, all Unified Sports are meant to be competitive. Unified Sports teams need to emphasize the principle of meaningful involvement which ensures every member is presented with opportunities to contribute to their team’s performance. Teams should be composed of players who are of similar age and ability levels. This decreases the potential for domination by higher ability teammates. Sport: Unified Floorball, a consist of 4 outfield players and one goalkeeper Rules: Each Unified FLOORBALL team should not consist of more unified partners then athletes on a team or on the field. There must always be 3 athletes and 2 partners on the field Role of observers: Unified Sports observers are in place to assist the Competition Management Staff and Sport Technical Delegate. Their role is to be an objective observer of the Unified Sports teams, with an emphasis on watching and noting patterns of meaningful involvement. The observers should never interfere with the competition or confront players, coaches or officials. All findings should be reported to Competition Management Staff. Examples of when Meaningful Involvement NOT being followed: One or more teammates consistently displays significantly higher ability levels than his/her teammate(s) by scoring virtually for their team, by not utilizing, ignoring or bypassing teammates, etc Players consistently have very limited opportunities to handle, pass, shoot and dribble with the ball while there is team control. Team’s activities during warm up, break times, cheering when scored, is this happening as a real team or is there sub-groups of e.g. athletes on one side and partners on other side. Coaches´ substitution policy- particular players remaining on the bench most of the time. Teams changing the way they play; in particular how individual players are engaged, in medal matches compared to divisioning rounds. The teammates do not interact with each other nor communicate with each other on or off the field. One or more players consistently serve in the role of “coach” instead of the proper role of being a teammate. They do not allow their teammates to make their own decisions or contribute on their own; rather they tell them what to do.

What to do if you see any of the above: · Do not approach the players, coaches or officials · Continue to observe and determine if this is a pattern of behavior, or an isolated occurrence · Document what you observe in the notes section · If you think an unfavorable pattern of behavior is identified, contact the Technical Delegate Important Notes: Player dominance and meaningful involvement may include or exclude both athletes and partners. Role as referee: The referees shall not act as guide regarding issues in the unified tournament. however, they may be asked for input. Before each game: The team must handle in a team sheet with players numbers, name and Athlete/partner. This must be at the secretary 10 min before the game starts. Floor Hockey – Points of Emphasis

• Every team must have at least 11 players on their roster to start the competition - no exceptions.

• It is recommended that each team have two sets of solid colored jerseys/shirts: a light-colored set when designated “home team,” and a dark-colored set when designated “visiting team.”

• All floor hockey games in Austria will be played on a painted concrete surface. • Sport shoes with black soles are acceptable for these Games. • Each player must wear mandatory safety (protective) equipment: helmet with full face

mask/cage, gloves, and shin guards. • Players may also wear elbow pads, knee pads and a mouth piece, but they are not

mandatory. Goalies may also wear a chest protector. • Teams should bring appropriate equipment to play floor hockey (as outlined in the 2014

version of the Floor Hockey Sport Rules) • Teams should bring extra sticks and rubber tips in case they break. No equipment

will be available for purchase or rental in Austria. • There will be helmet safety inspection prior to start of competition. • Please read and become familiar with the Floor Hockey Sport Rules.

Unified Sports - MEANINGFUL INVOLVEMENT Unified Floor Hockey Observer Sheet Special Olympics Unified Sports combines people with and without intellectual disabilities on sports teams for training and competition. People with intellectual disabilities are classified as Special Olympics Athletes, and people without intellectual disabilities are classified as Unified Partners. At the World Games level, all Unified Sports are meant to be competitive. Unified Sports teams need to emphasize the principle of meaningful involvement which ensures every member is presented with opportunities to contribute to their team’s performance. Teams should be composed of

players who are of similar age and ability levels. This decreases the potential for domination by higher ability teammates. A 2017 World Games Unified Competition Protocol will identify the steps that will be taken to minimize the risk of having poor quality Unified Sports competition at the 2017 World Games. How it works: Each Unified Floor Hockey team should not consist of more unified partners then athletes on a team or on the hockey pad. There must always be 3 partners and 3 athletes (accordingly) on the court at all times. Role of observers: Assigned Unified Sports observers are in place to assist the Competition Management Staff and Sport Technical Delegate. Their role is to be an objective observer of the Unified Sports teams, with an emphasis on watching and noting patterns of meaningful involvement. The observers should never interfere with the competition or confront players, coaches or officials. All findings should be reported to Competition Management Staff. Examples of when Meaningful Involvement NOT being followed: 1. One or more teammates consistently displays significantly higher ability levels than his/her teammate(s) by scoring all of the goals, for their team, by not utilizing, ignoring or bypassing teammates, by monopolizing passing and control of the puck, etc 2. The teammates do not interact with each other nor communicate with each other on or off the field 3. One or more players consistently serve in the role of “coach” instead of the proper role of being a teammate. They do not allow their teammates to make their own decisions or contribute on their own; rather they tell them what to do. 4. Teams changing the way they play; in particular how individual players are engaged, in medal matches compared to divisioning rounds. What to do if you see any of the above:

• Do not approach the players, coaches or officials • Continue to observe and determine if this is a pattern of behavior, or an isolated

occurrence • Document what you observe in the notes section • If you think an unfavorable pattern of behavior is identified, contact the Technical

Delegate Important Notes: Player dominance and meaningful involvement may include or exclude both athletes and partners.

Figure Skating – Points of Emphasis - Sport Uniform/Equipment • Athletes are required to bring their own skates and attire, which must comply with

International Skating Union (ISU) rules. • Females are to wear a simple, fitted figure skating dress, skirt or jumper with turtleneck

and/or sweater. Sheer to waist pantyhose or tights, undergarments not to be visible. • Males are to wear simple fitted pants (stretch material and plain color preferred), a long

sleeve sweater and/or turtleneck. No sweat pants allowed. • Athletes are required to wear clean and polished figure skates with laces tucked in. • Skate guards are recommended.

Deadlines 2016: 15. September Travel Itinerary (to: delegation.service@austria2017.org) For Africa, Asia Pacific and Latin America 09. September Deadline Payment for HOD-Seminar (hod-meeting@austria2017.org) 26. September Media Portal officially opens 01. October Feedback location of the HOD 10 .October Questions to GOC to be answered at the HOD seminar 25. October Registration Deadline Dance Contest 27-31. October HOD Seminar in Graz Delegation Update Now on the plattform Link: www.austria2017.org/en/games-2017/delegation-service

Should you need any further information, please do not hesitate to contact the GOC.

Delegation Service

delegation.service@austria2017.org

Tel: +43664/883 15 557