Everyone has a chance to win. Regardless of handicaps, the competition is the thing. And the Special Olympics provide that opportunity for many to be involved in sporting events and achieve their personal best.

To honor the competitors, coaches and volunteers in the Special Olympics, the U.S. Postal Service will issue a new 80-cent Special Olympics stamp on Feb. 13. The 80-cent international rate stamp can be used to send letters to countries around the world.

The new stamp features a computer-generated design that captures the enthusiastic and communal spirit of the Special Olympics, says the USPS.

The Games were founded in 1968 by Eunice Shriver Kennedy to offer year-round sports training and competition for people from the age of 8 with mental retardation. They compete in a variety of summer and winter Olympic-type sports.

It is encouraging to note that more than 1 million worldwide take part in the Special Olympics events year-round.

You can purchase the stamp at your post office after Feb. 13. First-day-of-issue postmarks of the Special Olympics stamps can be ordered by mail. Affix the stamps to your own self-addressed envelope and place in a larger envelope addressed to Special Olympics Stamp, Postmaster, 433 W. Harrison St., Chicago, IL 60607-9991.