2009 Special Olympics World Winter Games Fact Sheet What: In 2009, Special Olympics, a global leader in enhancing the lives of people with intellectual disabilities, will invite the world to become a fan of a global society where the acceptance and inclusion of all people transcends physical, cultural and geographical boundaries. The 2009 Special Olympics World Winter Games will unite the world through sports, celebrating the abilities and accomplishments of people with intellectual disabilities and forming a new global vision of acceptance and mutual respect. Web Site: www.2009worldgames.org/ Beautiful view of Dollar Mountain in Sun Valley. Athletes from around the world will display their athletic skill, determination, and courage; some not competing in the Games will also fill leadership roles as officials, assistant coaches, reporters, and spokespeople. [Photo courtesy of Sun Valley Resorts] When: 7-13 February 2009 Who: More than 2,500 athletes from 113 countries 6,000 volunteers 800 event officials Thousands of families, friends, spectators and journalists from around the world Where: Idaho, USA - Boise, McCall and Sun Valley Regions, Boise State University Sports: Alpine Skiing Bogus Basin Ski Resort, Boise Cross Country Skiing Sun Valley Resort Nordic Center, Sun Valley Figure Skating Qwest Arena, Boise Floor Hockey Expo Idaho, Boise Snowboarding Dollar Mountain, Sun Valley Snowshoeing Ponderosa State Park, McCall Speed Skating Idaho Ice World, Boise MATP (Motor Activities Training Program) TBD SPECIAL EVENTS The second Global Law Enforcement Torch Run will begin with the ignition of the Flame of Hope and the lighting of the torch in Athens, Greece, in November 2008. From there the torch will travel across six continents where it will be showcased at 12 global ceremonies and community celebrations to raise awareness of Special Olympics and highlight the 2009 World Winter Games. The Flame of Hope will arrive in Idaho two weeks prior to the start of the World Games and will continue its journey throughout Idaho, carried by the law enforcement officers and Special Olympics athletes who make up the 2009 Final Leg Team. Law Enforcement Torch Run® Final Leg for the 2009 Special Olympics World Winter Games — An international team of 142 members, which includes 95 law enforcement officer runners, 10 Special Olympics athletes and support personnel, will serve as Guardians of the Flame® as they welcome and receive the Flame of Hope in Idaho. To symbolize the significant contribution of law enforcement and the inclusion of Special Olympics athletes in this unified Torch Run, the Final Leg Team will conduct extensive runs and ceremonies in all of the Host Town Program communities and in many other towns throughout Idaho to heighten awareness of Special Olympics and the World Games. The Final Leg Team will safely deliver the Flame of Hope to the 2009 World Winter Games Opening Ceremony in Nampa, Idaho, on 7 February. Host Town Program — Delegations from around the world will be hosted throughout Idaho prior to the World Games. For four days before the Opening Ceremony, the Host Town experience gives Special Olympics athletes a chance to learn more about American culture and acclimate to a new environment, and also helps the people of Idaho learn more about people with intellectual disabilities. Opening Ceremony — An exciting and entertaining show to open the World Games. The spectacular event will take place on 6 February and will include star-studded entertainment, the Parade of Athletes and the culmination of the Final Leg of the Law Enforcement Torch Run and lighting of the Special Olympics cauldron. Global Youth Summit — An assembly bringing youth with and without intellectual disabilities together for inspiring and educational discussions. The inaugural summit took place in 2001 at the World Winter Games in Anchorage, Alaska (USA), and has continued to be a featured highlight event at every subsequent World Games, attracting over 160 Global Youth leaders from 57 Special Olympics Programs worldwide. The Global Youth Summit has attracted heads of state and celebrity participation such as Nelson Mandela, former U.S. President Bill Clinton, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Muhammad Ali, Colin Farrell and Maria Shriver. The Summit has aired on major networks across the world, including MTV in the United Kingdom, Nickelodeon in the United States, Japanese National Television and China's CCTV, which aired multiple broadcasts of the 2007 Global Youth Summit to more than 1 billion people. Special Olympics Sports Experience — An activity that allows participants to experience the talents and personalities of Special Olympics athletes first-hand. The goal is for participants to leave with a lasting and powerful memory of Special Olympics by providing an interactive space for guests to play against athletes in various sports and skills competitions. Family Forum — An activity tailored for family members of Special Olympics athletes to enable them to learn more about the opportunities available with Special Olympics, and to provide a network of friends and supporters. Closing Ceremony — An event to celebrate the accomplishments of the athletes and officially close the Games.