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Special Olympics global headquarters announced that Idaho (USA) will be the host site for the 2009 Special Olympics World Winter Games, after a decision was made by the International Special Olympics Board of Directors at their meeting on 16 May.
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Bogus Basin Mountain Resort in Boise, Idaho (USA) at dusk. Bogus Basin is a likely venue for some of the seven Special Olympics winter sports that will be contested at the 2009 Winter Games. [Photo © Boise Convention & Visitors Bureau, used with permission, all rights reserved] |
“After review of a comprehensive bid proposal and a visit by the Special Olympics World Games site selection committee, it was proven that Idaho provides excellent sports venues, incredible community support and unprecedented passion for the athletes of our movement,” said Jimmy Carnes, Member of the Special Olympics Board of Directors and Chair of the World Games Site Selection Committee.
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Nestled on a high desert plain in the shadow of the Rocky Mountains with a pristine river flowing through its center, Boise finds its roots from the gold rush days of the 1800s. Today Boise is the largest metropolitan community in the state of Idaho, with over 185,000 residents, and is considered one of America's most livable and likable cities. It offers the culture and entertainment of a large urban area in a place that feels a little like everyone's hometown — quality of life is high and residents and visitors alike enjoy the unique blend of natural beauty and urban comforts. Boise is the hub of commerce, banking and government for the state and is located midway between Salt Lake City, Utah, and Portland, Oregon. [Photo © Boise Convention & Visitors Bureau, used with permission, all rights reserved] |
Similar in size to a Winter Olympics, the 2009 World Winter Games will attract more than 2,000 athletes from 100 nations to compete in seven Olympic-type sports. Other finalist sites were: Reno-Tahoe (Nevada, USA); Schladming-Graz (Austria) and Garmisch Partenkirchen (Germany).
Following in the footsteps of Nagano, Japan, the host of the 2005 World Winter Games and joining Shanghai, China, the host of the upcoming 2007 Special Olympics World Summer Games, this event will be the largest multi-sport event ever held in the state of Idaho. Possible sports venues include Tamarack Resort, Bogus Basin, Taco Bell Arena, Qwest Arena, Idaho Ice World, Boise Centre on the Grove and Boise State University.
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Skiers and snowboarders on one of Bogus Basin Mountain Resort's chairlifts. Alpine skiing, cross-country skiing, figure skating, floor hockey, snowboarding, snowshoe racing and speed skating will be contested at the 2009 Special Olympics World Winter Games. [Photo © Boise Convention & Visitors Bureau, used with permission, all rights reserved] |
“Special Olympics World Winter Games provide a global stage for our athletes to showcase their talents and we invite the world to join our world of welcome — a world of inclusion and mutual respect, without bias or prejudice,” said Timothy Shriver, Chairman of the Special Olympics Board.
The 2009 World Games bid was prepared by Jim and Pirie Grossman of Destiny Productions and endorsed by many, including Senator Larry Craig, Senator Michael D. Crapo, Representative C.L. "Butch" Otter, Idaho Governor Dirk Kempthorne, Boise Mayor David Bieter and Special Olympics Idaho. The honorary Board of Directors includes celebrities such as Clint Eastwood, Picabo Street, Teresa Heinz Kerry and John Kerry, and Bobby Farrelly.
“This is a magical opportunity for the people of Idaho to show the world what we can do,” said Pirie Grossman. “We are honored to have been selected and can’t wait to get down to the business at hand.”
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Paula Tuertscher of Special Olympics Austria is congratulated by a coach and exults in her gold medal performance in the Advanced Slalom snowboarding at the Iizuna Resort Ski Ground, Nagano, Japan during the 2005 Special Olympics World Winter Games. More than 2,000 athletes from nearly 100 nations are expected to compete in the 2009 Special Olympics World Winter Games, which will take place in Boise, Idaho USA. [Photo by Wataru Abe/PHOTO KISHIMOTO] |
In addition to world-class competition in Alpine skiing, cross country skiing, figure skating, floor hockey, snowboarding, snowshoe racing and speed skating, the 2009 World Winter Games will also provide a venue for global discussions and action on the impact Special Olympics can make on the lives of people with intellectual disabilities. Up to 190 million people worldwide have an intellectual disability, making it the largest disability group worldwide. Intellectual disability crosses racial, ethnic, educational, social and economic lines, and can occur in any family.
"...Special Olympics athletes deliver. They deliver in their competitions; they deliver with humor; they deliver with appreciation; they deliver with laughter; and their families deliver with pride. These are the reasons Special Olympics World Games can and do change not only individual lives, but change political and societal views and conceptions of people with [intellectual disabilities]...Special Olympics is one 'issue' any local or national government can and will support once they have the unique experience of hosting a World Games and learning more about these athletes. I say this emphatically because it has happened after every World Games in our history. It always happens."
Eunice Kennedy Shriver, Special Olympics Founder, 1997 Spirit magazine interview |
Alternating between Summer and Winter Games, the Special Olympics World Games is a world-class sporting event that brings public attention to the talents and capabilities of people with intellectual disabilities, helping to change attitudes and break down barriers that excluded them from the mainstream of the community. With over 2,000 athletes from nearly 100 countries, and thousands of volunteers, coaches, family members and supporters, the 2009 Special Olympics World Winter Games promises to be a truly unique opportunity for the world to witness how the universal language of sport can show the very best of the human spirit and all that it encompasses.
The excitement and interest raised by the 2009 World Games will endure long after the Games Closing Ceremonies, resulting in long-term change and creating solutions that bring people with intellectual disabilities into the mainstream of community life. This is an ongoing challenge for the Special Olympics movement, which has demonstrated throughout its nearly 40-year history that it is a catalyst for attitudinal change and social progress. |
