Special Olympics Yukon has been collecting impressive results on the national and international scene for the past few years now, but it wasn't until just recently that the organization completely jumped on board with their counterparts.

It started with a new name they used to be Yukon Special Olympics and now the organization has also adopted a new logo.

'Up until last week, we were one of the only places in the world that still used the old logo,' explained Serge Michaud, executive director of Special Olympics Yukon, at a press conference Saturday.

The old logo was a form of maple leaf, with the former Yukon Special Olympics name around it.

Michaud went on to describe the new logo, which consists of five people, each with six arms.

'The two arms in the down position mean 'downtrodden', remembering a time when many people thought we were not able to make good decisions or try new things,' Michaud read from a letter written by a Special Olympics athlete.

'This describes my life before I became involved in Special Olympics. I had few friends and spent most of my time alone.

'The straight arms mean 'equal', we are the same in many ways. When I joined the Special Olympics swim team, I found out I was the same as everyone else.

'For the first time in my life, I felt accepted for myself. I believe that acceptance gave me determination to become the best swimmer I could. It also taught me how to be a friend and not judge others by what they cannot do.

'The arms raised represent joy and realizing our ultimate goal. All goals should be challenging but reasonable. I have reached my goal of learning to swim, but now I have raised the bar and will advocate for a better state swim program.

' I reached my goal to be an assistant coach, but I challenge myself to help other athletes reach their goal of learning to dribble a basketball. I continue to work on my reading and writing skills, but I have become a Special Olympics Global Messenger and have spoken to crowds of more than 600 people.

'The five people represent the five continents involved in Special Olympics at the time the logo was made. The people are placed in a circle to represent the world. It is pretty overwhelming to think when you look at the globe, there are Special Olympics athletes and volunteers in almost every country; people who are like you and me.

'Remember; don't always take the easy path. Challenge yourself every day.'

The traditional colours used by Special Olympics Yukon athletes will remain the same for the next Summer Games in Brandon, Manitoba, which means red, black and white with compliments of purple.

The training squads for the 2006 Summer Games were announced on Saturday as well, with Michaud serving as Chef de Mission. Grant MacDonald will be the team manager/assistant Chef de Mission.

For athletics, head coach Robin Chambers will join athlete Britt Cowper on the training squad, while Jenni Beauregard will coach Mallory Pigage in swimming. Janine Smith will be the head coach of 5 pin bowling while Bernie Hoodless will serve as support/mission staff.

Making the training squad for bowling are: Aimee Lien, Jason Storms, Julien Richard, Theresa Roberts and Wayne Thomas-Waugh.

Tim Shoniker will be the head coach for 5-a-side soccer, with Christina McGillivray assisting with coaching duties. Another coach and mission staff for soccer have yet to be announced.

The athletes who made the training squad in soccer are: Daniel Atlin, Kenny Atlin, Chris Bolton, Garry Chaplin, Rachel Dawson, Willy Everett, Duncan Gibb, Edward Kaye, Chris Lee, Owen Munroe and Stefan Oettli.

Athletes who made the training squads are eligible to be chosen for Team Yukon 2006, but 'nobody has a plane ticket yet,' said Michaud.

'Every athlete here has signed a commitment form.'

That means if any of the athletes can't put in the time or effort required, they won't travel to Brandon, he explained. The official team which will compete in Brandon, July 18-22, will be announced between April 1 and May 15. The Yukon will send 17 athletes and 10 coaches and mission staff to the Games.

As much success as Special Olympics Yukon has enjoyed at previous summer, winter and world Games, none of it would be possible without their sponsors, one of which is McDonald's Whitehorse.

On Saturday, Jim Tucker, the past president and head of fundraising for Special Olympics Yukon, announced that the local McDonald's has 'taken their generosity to the next level.'

'They have agreed to become the exclusive sponsor for Team Yukon '06,' he said. 'The funds (from McDonald's) will offset the team's costs for training, uniforms and travel (to Brandon next summer) and allow us to do what we do best.'

'We're very proud to play a part,' stated Mike Thorpe, co-owner and operator of the Whitehorse McDonald's for the past two years, along with his wife, Julie. 'We have a long-standing relationship with Special Olympics and we're glad to keep that tradition alive.

'We're proud to support all the athletes working toward team Yukon 2006 and wish them all the luck.'

Michaud echoed Tucker's statements, pointing out that without the sponsorship, the team might have to get creative in their travel plans to Brandon.

'We wouldn't be able to take flights to Brandon, we'd have to take dog mushing teams. God knows that would be pretty tough in the summer,' he joked.

Some of the money from McDonald's will come directly from Whitehorse residents, explained Mike. Since January of this year, the coin boxes set up beside the tills in the restaurant have been used specifically for the purpose of supporting Special Olympics Yukon, and residents have so far raised over $2,000.

'It's been very well received by the customer base,' said Mike. 'It's been better than we thought it would be, actually.'

While the sponsorship of the Special Olympics obviously makes business sense, Mike said it's also important to him and Julie on a personal level.

'It's what makes working everyday very rewarding,' he stated. 'We get to help people who are working so hard to achieve their goals, and that feels great.'