Boise hopeful for 2009 Special Olympics

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A local group wants to put Boise in the running to host the 2009 Special Olympics world games.

An official from the Special Olympics will be in Idaho early this week to determine if Boise is eligible to host the events.
It's an opportunity that could bring thousands of visitors and worldwide attention to the Gem State.

The 2009 Special Olympics winter games were to be held in Bosnia, but that recently fell through.
An exploratory committee has literally just formed to pursue the possibility of Idaho stepping in.

Members of Special Olympics Idaho and the committee met outside the Boise Centre on the Grove Sunday afternoon to prepare for Monday's tour of possible event locations and a meeting with an international Special Olympics representative.

Local organizers say if this comes together, they want to make the Grove Olympic village and host events at places like Qwest Arena, Bogus Basin and Tamarack Ski resorts.

About 1,800 intellectually challenged athletes, including several from Idaho, participated in the last year's Special Olympics world winter games in Nagano, Japan.

Organizers say they're trying to put together what would normally take years of planning quickly.
"What various elements of the community have already stepped up in the last three weeks has been phenomenal," organizer Jim Grossman said. "This is an opportunity for our city to be showcased - showcased in the world's media."