3.05.2007 - 11:52am ET

(CSRwire) BEAVERTON, OR- March 2, 2007 – Nike, Inc. and Special Olympics Oregon announced today a first-of-its-kind event designed to introduce youth, age eight to 19, and their families to the Special Olympics Experience. Spurred by a $175,000 Nike grant of cash and products, the NikeGO Special Olympics Oregon Youth Games will bring more than 500 special athletes to the Nike campus for one-day events in May and October, 2007.

"Here at Nike, one of our core beliefs comes from one of our founders, Bill Bowerman, and it is that, if you have a body, you are an athlete," said Gary DeStefano, President of Global Operations. "You see that represented in the energy, enthusiasm and spirit of Special Olympic Athletes."

DeStefano continued, "I couldn’t think of a better partner for NikeGO, our signature community program designed to get kids – all kids – more physically active. We think this exciting new Special Olympics program will help us give more kids that special sense of accomplishment that comes from sports and competition," he said.

The program will offer youth with intellectual disabilities a chance to learn a prospective sport and to participate in the unique Special Olympics experience. The one-day clinics will feature skill development, sports competitions, and activities for youth with special needs and their families. The day will culminate with a closing ceremony where each athlete will receive an award and recognition.

"This exciting initiative between Nike and Special Olympics Oregon is a huge milestone for our organization’s major growth initiative. We are working to provide Special Olympics programs to thousands more individuals in Oregon then ever before – particularly youth," said Margaret Hunt, Chief Executive Officer of Special Olympics Oregon. "Mental Disability is the largest disability population in the country, and our work in Oregon with Nike to expand our programs and services is critical to not only our state, but also to Special Olympics worldwide."

The first event will be held Saturday, May 12, 2007 and will feature track and field, softball and golf. The second event is scheduled for Saturday, October 6, 2007 and will feature basketball, soccer and bocce ball. These Games will also be staged in 2008 at dates yet to be determined.

About Nike, Inc.

Based near Beaverton, Oregon, Nike is the world’s leading designer, marketer and distributor of authentic athletic footwear, apparel, equipment and accessories for a wide variety of sports and fitness activities. Wholly-owned Nike subsidiaries include Converse Inc., which designs, markets and distributes athletic footwear, apparel and accessories; NIKE Bauer Hockey Inc., a leading designer and distributor of hockey equipment; Cole Haan, which designs, markets, and distributes fine dress and casual shoes and accessories; Hurley International LLC, which designs, markets and distributes action sports and youth lifestyle footwear, apparel and accessories and Exeter Brands Group LLC, which designs and markets athletic footwear and apparel for the value retail channel.

About Special Olympics Oregon.

Founded in 1972, Special Olympics Oregon serves individuals with intellectual disabilities through a variety of Olympic-style sports training, education and athletic competition. The benefits are many, including developing physical fitness, demonstrating courage, experiencing joy and participating in a sharing of gifts, skills and friendship with their families and the community. Throughout the state of Oregon, thousands of athletes participate in Special Olympics. Visit www.soor.org for additional information.

About NikeGO.

NikeGO is Nike’s signature U.S. community affairs initiative and the company’s long-term commitment to getting kids more physically active. The program’s mission is to increase physical activity in youths, offering them the support and motivation to become physically active, stay healthy and have fun. In its most recent fiscal year, Nike contributed more than $10.5 million in cash and products and served more than 150,000 kids through its programs and partnerships. Visit www.nikego.com for additional information.

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