Idaho Hopes To Host The Special Olympic World Winter Games

KBCI 2 Boise, Idaho: "BOISE -
Idaho is vying for the bid to host the Special Olympic World Winter Games in 2009. The games are three years away but the competition is already heating up as the International Selection Committee spends the weekend in Idaho.

Kirk Grogan is a Special Olympic athlete whose won 17 medals, but now he's competing for something else. He wants Idaho to win the bid for the Special Olympic World Winter Games in 2009.

'It would be just a great opportunity for Idaho, it would boost the economy, we can make new friends around the world, it would be just awesome,' Grogan told KBCI Local 2 News.

'The entire world's eyes would be on Idaho and it will be basically a platform for the world to see Boise, to see Tamarack, to see the people, it will be huge,' Co-Chair of the Special Olympic Bid Committee for Idaho, Pirie Grossman told KBCI Local 2 News.

Pirie and Jim Grossman spent the past several months preparing the states bid for the winter games.It's something they felt connected to because Jim's sister is a Special Olympian.
'We've seen it in our own home and we know how important it is and we know what a gift it would be to Idaho and that's what we're hoping to accomplish,' said Grossman.

Idaho has made it into the top four finalists to host the games and Thursday night community members welcomed the International Selection Committee at BSU. The five member board will spend the weekend reviewing Idaho's athletic facilities and seeing what this state has to offer, things this Special Olympian already knows.

'It has great terrain for it, the mountains are awesome, the scenic view of Idaho is awesome,' said Grogan.

Idaho is up against Germany, Austria, and Reno to host the event but Grossman believes that all the volunteers and donations to help fund the games gives Idaho a leg up.
'We have the "