Is your family traveling to China for the World Games?
Congratulations
on your athlete being selected to represent Special Olympics Team USA at the
2007 Special Olympics World Summer Games in Shanghai, China. Team USA has begun
laying plans for families as they begin making plans to travel overseas:
- Information regarding registration to the World Games (anticipated in March)
- Information pertaining to travel documents needed for family members
- Travel packages for families traveling to the World Games
Team
USA will be partnering with Maupin Travel, the official travel agency of Team
USA, to provide families with information and opportunities to travel to the
World Games. We ask that families do not contact Maupin Travel directly but
direct all questions and inquiries to their Special Olympics US State Program
office contact. Please note that Team USA and Maupin Travel will not be responsible
for the following support for families:
- Obtaining passports, visas or any other travel documents needed to travel
to China. We will provide information to help you expedite these processes.
- Assuming any costs associated with any portion of the trip.
- Setting up individual trips not associated with the package that will
be provided.
Team
USA personally looks forward to working with all of you as we prepare for what
will prove to be an opportunity of a lifetime!
Does your family, coach or athlete have a story to share for this newsletter?
We
cannot possibly know all the interesting things about the lives our entire
Team USA delegation, so it's your turn to brag! Has your athlete and his/her World Games coach worked together for years? Has your athlete overcome an overwhelming stuggle with health or taken part in a unique training regiment for the upcoming trip to China? What about your family doing an awesome local fundraiser for your athlete or state's
delegation to travel to World Games?
Any
story, big or small, happy or awe-inspiring, can be featured, so contact kkloepping@specialolympicswisconsin.org
and we'll feature you in our upcoming issues of the Team USA eNewsletter!
Passports & VISAs
In
order to travel outside the United States, you must have a passport and, in
some circumstances, a VISA as well. Team USA delegation members should have
already applied for their passports in order to meet the March Games registration
deadline. If you have not applied for your passport, please contact your US
Program state office to seek assistance.
 A
VISA simply indicates that your VISA application has been reviewed by a Chinese
consular officer at the Chinese consulate and that the officer has determined
you are eligible to enter China for the 2007 World Games. A VISA application
will be coming to you in the near future from your U.S. State Program contact
with specific instructions on how to complete the application. The completed
and signed application along with your passport will be submitted to Team USA
and Team USA will in turn pay for and process all materials to the Chinese
Consulate. You will receive your passport back within 4-6 weeks of the training
camp and your passport will have the approved VISA paperwork attached on the
inside.
Thought
of the Day: Make a copy of the face page of your passport, which contains your
passport number and photo, and keep in a safe place outside of your luggage
in case the passport is lost. Also, give a copy to your family back home.
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