Some athletes, like Melanie Nedal of Venezuela, trained in sand for snowshoeing competition. See related story.
World Games Firsts
The Special Olympics movement continues to grow and evolve, opening new doors and shattering old stereotypes. The 2009 World Winter Games offer ample evidence of that, as Special Olympics and its athletes take on new roles and challenges. Following are a list of 2009 World Games firsts, groundbreaking moments in our ongoing evolution. Watch this site for more information about these firsts over the course of the World Games.
For the first time female floor hockey teams (Honduras, India, Uruguay) will compete.
For the first time Somalia will compete in a World Games (Snowshoeing).
For the first time Saudi Arabia will participate in World Winter Games (Snowshoeing).
For the first time Comoro Islands and Djibouti – the newest Programs in the Middle East/North Africa region – will compete in a World Games (Snowshoeing).
First Global Youth Assembly of Delegates to vote on motions of activation.
First Global Youth Rally.
First demonstration of the interactive personal athlete health record.
Initiation of a multiyear, longitudinal study of athlete health and health behaviors in conjunction with the University of Illinois Chicago, CDC, Sunray Company, Fudan Company and Healthone.
First demonstration of curling, a potential new Special Olmpics sports.
First floor hockey official from Special Olympics Bharat (India).
Largest number of snowshoeing athletes at a World Winter Games.
First Motor Activities Training Program (MATP) - Challenge Day at a World Winter Games.
First Special Olympics floor hockey athlete official from Jamaica.
First Special Olympics athlete official from South Africa.
Greatest representation of athlete officials (outside of host Program) for a Winter Games.
First SO College global launch for university-based volunteerism, advocacy and fundraising.
Largest ever gathering for the Global Youth Activation Summit, with 20 countries and over 130 young leaders.
First World Winter Games in Idaho, USA