Special Olympics Honored with Keys to the City of Boise, Idaho,
for Tremendous Gift to Community through the
2009 Special Olympics World Winter
Boise, Idaho – Wednesday, at a private event, Mayor David Bieter presented Brady Lum, President and COO of Special Olympics, Chip Fisher, Chairman and CEO of the 2009 World Games Organizing Committee (GOC), and several Special Olympics athletes each with a Key to the City of Boise, Idaho, in recognition of the tremendous gift the 2009 Special Olympics World Winter Games were to the local community in February.
Special Olympics was presented with a key for its “vision, determination and resourcefulness” in bringing the World Games to Idaho. The GOC was honored with a key for its “talent, tenacity and courage” that touched the hearts and lifted the spirits of Boise residents. And Mayor Bieter presented a key to Special Olympics athletes for their “bravery, perseverance and athletic skills” that served as an inspiration for all.
Special Olympics Idaho athletes David Gish, Reuben Murray and Mandy Blair attended the ceremony to represent the nearly 2,000 athletes worldwide who participated in the 2009 World Games.
“The Games and the brave athletes who competed in them touched our hearts, lifted our spirits and served as an inspiration to all,” said Mayor Bieter at the presentation.
Mayor Bieter believes the Key to the City is the highest honor that the City of Boise can bestow on an individual or organization. Since taking office in 2004, Bieter has presented the Key to the City only five other times.
“It is an incredible honor to accept the Key to the City from Mayor Bieter on behalf of Special Olympics,” said Lum. “The World Winter Games brought new meaning to the values of respect, compassion and diversity for the people of Boise and greater awareness of the Special Olympics movement overall.”
The 2009 Special Olympics World Winter Games were held in Boise, Idaho from 7-13 February. During that time, close to 2,000 athletes from nearly 100 countries traveled to Idaho to compete in seven Olympic-type winter sports. The athletes were accompanied by thousands of coaches, volunteers and fans, making the World Games the largest multi-sport event in the world in 2009.
“The communities and youth in Idaho opened their hearts and embraced the 2009 Special Olympics World Winter Games,” said Fisher. “These Games not only established an incredible legacy for the state of Idaho and the local Special Olympics Idaho program, but they also set new standards in fiscal and environmental responsibility for future Special Olympics regional, national and World Games.
In addition to providing inspiration and promoting good will, the World Games provided a lasting positive economic legacy in Boise and Idaho. As a result of the World Games, the state experienced approximately $35-40 million of positive economic impact. The Games Organizing Committee has also donated nearly $200,ooo in computing, office and sports equipment, supplies, signage, food and beverage, and clothing to Special Olympics Idaho and nearly $500,000 worth of computing, telecom and office equipment, lumber, clothing, tools, food and beverage to Treasure Valley and other Idaho nonprofits.
Special Olympics
Special Olympics is an international organization that changes lives by encouraging and empowering people with intellectual disabilities, promoting acceptance for all, and fostering communities of understanding and respect worldwide. Founded in 1968 by Eunice Kennedy Shriver, the Special Olympics movement has grown from a few hundred athletes to nearly 3.1 million athletes in 175 countries in all regions of the world, providing year-round sports training, athletic competition and other related programs. Special Olympics now takes place every day, changing the lives of people with intellectual disabilities in places like China and from regions like the Middle East to the community playgrounds and ballfields in every small neighborhood. Special Olympics provides people with intellectual disabilities continuing opportunities to realize their potential, develop physical fitness, demonstrate courage and experience joy and friendship. Visit Special Olympics at www.specialolympics.org.
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