Special Olympics cancel events, cite reduced funding, sponsorships

In this Tuesday, Jan. 5, 2010 photo, Tommy Sliva wears medals he has won skiing in the Indiana Special Olympics in Indianapolis. This year Indiana Special Olympics has canceled skiing and showshoeing events because of budget issues. (AP Photo/Tom Strickland) (Tom Strickland, AP / January 5, 2010)

Many state affiliates of the Special Olympics have been cutting programs and eliminating events for athletes with disabilities because of declining sponsorship and reduced funding from the national organization, based in Washington, D.C. Affiliates say they are cutting administrative costs first and taking a strategic approach to cutting athletic programs. However, the president of the Tennessee affiliate said, "If we can't find new avenues for donations, then we will likely be faced with both eliminating some events and some staff by end of the year." Los Angeles Times/The Associated Press