Remarks: 1997 World Games  1997 Special Olympics World Winter
Games  Opening Ceremonies  Eunice Kennedy Shriver  Skydome,
Toronto, Ontario  Welcome to this spirited, magnificent land of
Canada that chose to host the 1997 Special Olympics World Winter
Games. Thank you, all the citizens of Canada, for honoring the
Special Olympics athletes with the largest Winter Games in the
history of sport.  Twenty years ago, who would have thought that
Special Olympic speed skaters could reach world-class speeds of
32 kilometers per hour? That you would be skiing down a mountain
at up to 64 kilometers per hour? That you would be trained and
have the stamina to compete in a 10 kilometer cross country
skiing competition? And, that you would do all of this in front
of world television. The whole world is watching you. Look how
far you've come.  But statistics and records alone do not make
heroes and heroines. So, why now, at the dawning of a new
century, have you, the Special Olympics athletes and your
families, become our her