 Alternating with six white stripes, they represent the original 13 colonies. In addition to the stripes, 50 white five-pointed stars representing the 50 states of the Union appear on a dark blue field in the caten. They are arranged as five rows of six stars, alternating with four rows of five stars. The hosts for the 1984 International Games for the Disabled, the United States of America. Now once again, Mr. William B. Williams. Gentlemen, let the flag ceremony begin. The game's flag is now being hoisted. I promise that we shall take part in these games. I promise that we shall take part in these games. Respecting and abiding by the rules in which govern them. Respecting and abiding by the rules which govern them. In the true spirit of sportsmanship for the glory of the sport and the honor of the teams. In the true spirit of sportsmanship for the glory of sports and the honor of the teams. In the name of all the judges and officials. I promise that we shall officiate in these games with complete impartiality. respecting and abiding by the rules which govern them in the true spirit of sportsmanship in the true spirit of sportsmanship God bless you thank you and now once again ladies and gentlemen Nassau County Executive mr. Purcell Francis hardly got down thank you friend governor Cuomo senator tomato the representatives here Lent and McGrath and Murasek ladies and gentlemen and honored athletes today we mark a dramatic and meaningful event the opening of the 1984 international games for the disabled the first games took place in Canada 1976 the second in 1980 in Holland this year it is America's turn to host disabled athletes from around the world I know I speak for the American people when I say that this is a great honor for our country the setting for the games could hardly be more spectacular the new Mitchell Park athletic complex features superb facilities for competitors and spectators alike including one of the finest tracks in the world nearby schools like Hofstra University and Nassau Community College are providing sites for a number of competitions and housing hundreds of the athletes scores of individuals and businesses have been generous in sponsoring these games thousands of volunteers have already been at work for months coordinating events and helping with athletes travel arrangements as the games themselves take place the volunteers will work even harder keeping score looking after equipment helping to provide medical attention and translating for competitors who speak a dozen foreign languages as far as I can see just about everybody in Nassau County has lent a hand I know that you're in for a glorious time and I want to thank you for all your hard work and dedication yet all of us agree that these games belong to one group alone the athletes nearly 2,000 of you have come here today from some 54 countries from Africa Europe Australia South America Asia and North America you have gathered here a group of indomitable men and women during the next two weeks you will test your endurance in swimming and running you'll prove your strength in weightlifting you'll show your speed and agility in basketball and high jumping and in the equestrian event you'll show the beautiful teamwork that can take place between man or woman and horse sports have always been an important part of my life as a matter of fact I just was reminded as I sat down here that Fran and I played against each other during World War two on a couple of army teams basketball teams back in 1944 I don't mind telling you his team one I think I can appreciate and I know he can at least a little what these games must mean to you there will be the camaraderie of teamwork the thrill of competition the sheer joy of meeting other athletes who love the sport as much as you do Roger's banister the first runner in history to break the four-minute mile once said running has given me a glimpse of the greatest freedom that a man can ever know because it results in the simultaneous liberation of both body and mind exhilaration of mind and body that's something that all athletes understand yet there's something each of you understands that no one else can ever fully appreciate something that has to do with courage with willpower and with the utter refusal to give up that has enabled you to rise above your disabilities and compete each of you is a remarkable person a person like Canadian Arnie Bolt Arnie had lost one leg above the knee but when he high jumps he can take his body farther into the air than most people are tall Trisha Zorn of Mission Viejo California is legally blind but that didn't keep her from winning an athletic scholarship to the University of Nebraska and becoming one of the fastest backstroke swimmers in the world Harry now he iron in a Finland is an amputee but he can run 400 meters in less than 50 seconds and then there's Charlie Reid Charlie works out twice a week with the New York nights a sports group run by United Cerebral Palsy of New York City today Charlie can bench press 480 pounds two and what half times his own weight and there's a good chance that at these games Charlie will set a new world record by competing in these games each of you is sending a message of hope throughout the world you're proving that a disability doesn't have to stand in the way of a full and active life and you're showing all of us just how far a man or woman can go if only they have the dedication and the will a month after these games end another great sporting event will begin the Olympic Games in Los Angeles athletes from all over the world will gather for those games just as you've gathered here today those athletes may post faster times or lift heavier weights but sports has less to do with things like times and weights and distances than with something very simple the human heart and when it comes to that the athletes in Los Angeles will have to tip their hats to you because you are the champions of the world and now it is my honor to declare the 1984 international games for the disabled officially opened thank you and God bless you all begin the game