SO Idaho '09

"Share the Magic

2009 Special Olympics World Winter Games
Idaho, USA

Athletes First..... a World Class event second to None!

Idaho has one of the most exciting opportunities in the Gem state's history to showcase ourselves to the entire world. Special Olympics International Headquarters has asked Idaho to submit a formal bid for the 2009 World Winter Olympic Games. These Games will be the largest worldwide competition of its kind in this decade.

Facts

Eleven Day Event with activities throughout the state
2500 Athletes with Intellectual Disabilities from 80 Countries
700 Coaches and Delegates
Sports competition in seven Olympic type sports
2000 Family Members
500 Honored Guests - Celebrities, Heads of State, International Sports Champions
200 Media Members from throughout the world
6000 Volunteers
100,000 Spectators
Host town Program throughout the state matching countries with our communities for three days
Opening Ceremony at Bronco Stadium with 25,000 spectators, World renowned musical acts, celebrities and dignitaries
Law Enforcement Torch Run throughout the country and state culminating in Boise
$20+ Million Dollar Budget of Cash and donated costs



Benefits to Idaho

World spotlight with daily national and international Media exposure
Awareness of what our state has to offer and the opportunity to 'brand' Idaho
World leaders, business people and celebrities visiting all corners of our state
Cultural awareness and education of people from throughout the world and changing stereotypes of people with intellectual disabilities
Estimated economic impact of 40 Million Dollars.
Indirect economic and social impact of Unlimited Value
The bid is due March 3rd to Washington, DC. Prior to then, all constituents from throughout the state must come together as a team to secure the necessary funding, leadership, and facilities to make Idaho the winning site.

To find out how you can became a leader in bringing the 2009 Games to Idaho, please contact Salle at SO Idaho '09 208 938-5505
"Share the Magic"

:: Printable Version :: Did we hear right?

:: Printable Version :: Did we hear right?: "Party to a noble endeavor:

A plot to host the 2009 Special Olympics World Winter Games in Idaho originated at a Christmas party in Sun Valley over Christmas.

Valley residents Jim and Pirie Grossman, both longtime Idaho Special Olympics supporters, had been eyeing the idea of bringing some 2,000 Special Olympic athletes from 150 countries around the world to Idaho in 2013.

That is, until Sun Valley part-timer Maria Shriver, whose mother Eunice Shriver founded Special Olympics, noted that Sarajevo had dropped its plans to host the 2009 games.

At Shriver's encouragement, the Grossmans shifted gears aiming for 2009, instead. But they have to beat out Reno and cities in Poland and Germany.

If they succeed, it's unlikely Sun Valley will see any of the action. Current plans have the games being staged in Boise and at Bogus Basin, Brundage and Tamarack ski areas."

International Games Archive

International Games Archive: "Sarajevo cancels hosting of 2009 Special Olympic Winter World Games
February 12, 2006
Special Olympics organizers in Bosnia and Herzegovina have announced that Sarajevo will not be hosting the 2009 Special Olympics Winter World Games.
Sarajevo was awarded the games in March of 2005, during the last Winter Games in Nagano.
The news was known by Special Olympics International in December, but not made public or published on their web site.
News sources in Idaho have announced that Boise, Idaho, at first interested in a run at the 2013 games, are now very interested in bidding for the 2013 games.
According to the Idaho Statesman local Idaho Special Olympics supporters Jim and Pirie Grossman were interested in proposing a 2013 World Games bid when they ran into Maria Shriver at a Christmas party in Sun Valley. Shriver broke the news that Bosnia and Herzegovina had recently dropped out as hosts, and suggested that Idaho look at the possibility of bidding for the 2009 games.
Special Olympics officials were in Boise in late January evaluating venues.
The Idaho Statesman has reported that there may be bids from Poland, Germany, and possibly, the Reno, Lake Tahoe region in Nevada, hosts of the 1989 games.
Bid proposals must be ready by March 3rd, and the new host is scheduled to be chosen by the end of May. "