IN BRIEF : Winter Special Olympics Slated

Competitors from Colorado, Arkansas, Kansas, Nebraska, Oklahoma, Texas and Wyoming will gather here Friday, Saturday and Sunday for the 1989 Colorado Special Olympics Winter Games. The athletes--all mentally retarded--will compete at their own level of ability, and each will receive an award. About 500 athletes, from 8 years old through their 40s, are expected to participate.

“They are out to win, but the real victory is just doing their very best. Participating is everything,” said Carrie Nolan, executive director of the Colorado Special Olympics, which has staged the event since 1977.

Competition includes Alpine and Nordic skiing and speed and figure skating. The Colorado event will send 39 competitors and 16 coaches to the International Special Olympics Winter Games at Lake Tahoe and Reno, Nev., April 1 through 8.