Special Olympics World Winter Games Get Going in Idaho

By Jill Kuraitis, 2-07-09

Sunday Feb. 8 the is the start of competition in the 2009 Special Olympics World Winter Games, which last until the 13th.  Venues all over Southern Idaho will see competition involving more than 3,000 athletes from an astonishing 85 countries. 

Seven sports make up the Games: Alpine skiing, cross-country skiing, figure skating, floor hockey, snowboarding, snowshoeing, and speed skating.

Special Olympics Idaho is an organization devoted to helping people with intellectual disabilities on and off the playing field. “By working to remove obstacles, change attitudes and open minds, Special Olympics Idaho provides opportunities for its athletes to demonstrate courage, experience joy and share their gifts, skills and friendship with the world,” their mission statement declares.

Here’s the full schedule of events, which will be held at Bogus Basin, Sun Valley, Qwest Arena in Boise, Expo Idaho in Garden City, Ponderosa State Park in McCall, and Idaho Ice World in Boise.

A spokeswoman for the 2009 Special Olympics World Winter Games says Vice President Joe Biden is expected to visit Idaho on one of the final days of competition. According to Kirsten Suto Seckler, the exact date is still being worked out between the White House and Games officials.