NCNN and MIX 101.5 Welcome the World to North Carolina

On June 26, 1999, seven thousand athletes from 150 countries will form a procession and march through Carter Finley Stadium in Raleigh, NC in the Opening Ceremonies of the 1999 Special Olympics World Summer Games. The North Carolina News Network is teaming up with its sister company, Mix 101.5, to bring you coverage of all the pageantry, splendor and emotion of what is the world's largest sporting event of 1999.

NCNN's own Sondra Artis and Reese Edwards will co-anchor an entertaining and informative one-hour program beginning at 9:00 p.m. NCNN will offer its listeners profiles on the athletes, the coaches and the families who have traveled around the globe to see their loved ones compete. They will also introduce some of the members of the North Carolina Delegation.

With over 100 athletes from all over North Carolina competing, it's a sure bet that some of folks back home will want to hear all about the ceremonies that kick off this exciting event! In addition to describing the events of the ceremonies as they unfold, NCNN reporters will take listeners behind the scenes to discuss such topics as: ¨

• Transportation and Housing - How do you accommodate 7,000 athletes plus their coaches and families?
• The Healthy Athletes Program - This will be the first time that some athletes will have received this type of health screening.
• What will hosting this event mean to North Carolina -Will it be our chance to shine? ¨History of the games and how attitudes have changed over the past 30 years.
• Cultural differences -With 150 different countries represented, what will be expected of the translators beyond translating? During this gala event, musicians, dancers, acrobats, singers and some very special celebrities will welcome the world to North Carolina for the 1999 Special Olympics World Summer Games.

NCNN reaches over 50 counties throughout the state and is inviting all of its affiliate stations to join them on June 26 for our Special Olympics Opening Ceremonies Show.