Our View: Special Olympics good for Idaho, athletes

Editorials - The Idaho Statesman - Always Idaho: "Our View: Special Olympics good for Idaho, athletes

Congratulations, Idaho.

And congratulations, Jim and Pirie Grossman.

Because the Grossmans were willing to dream big and act quickly, Idaho will host perhaps the biggest event in state history - the 2009 World Winter Games.

What a big victory. How big?

More than 2,000 athletes big. One hundred nations big.
Ten thousand visitors and volunteers big.

An economic impact in the tens of millions of dollars.

Special Olympics organizers say the World Winter Games rivals the Winter Olympics in size. So think the 2002 Salt Lake City Olympics, only here.

Yet the event transcends filling hotel rooms and restaurants in Boise and Tamarack Resort.

The games change the lives of athletes who will come for alpine skiing, cross-country skiing, figure skating, floor hockey, snowboarding, snowshoe racing and speed skating. They break down barriers between the spectators and the competitors - a fraction, say Special Olympics organizers, of the 190 million people worldwide with intellectual disabilities.

The games also afford Idaho an opportunity to show itself off. "This is a magical opportunity for the people of Idaho to show the world what we can do," said Pirie Grossman, whose sister-in-law has participated in Special Olympics. "We are honored to have been selected and can't wait to get down to the business at hand."

That business involves lining up thousands of volunteers — including families around Idaho who will host athletes before the games, plus people to help at the events and help get competitors and coaches to the venues. "It's almost like having a guest in your home, only on a much larger scale," Pirie Grossman said Tuesday.Business involves fund-raising, from big corporations and individuals alike. The Grossmans hope to raise $25 million. The Grossmans are off to a fast start; they've already raised $7 million in the Boise area.

That's impressive since the Grossmans only began talking about organizing a bid last December — and started out focusing on the 2013 games. When they learned the 2009 games were up for grabs, they pushed up their timetable.Five months later, Idaho has a winning bid, and much to live up to. Said Jimmy Carnes, chairman of Special Olympics' site selection committee, "Idaho provides excellent sports venues, incredible community support and unprecedented passion for the athletes of our movement."

The Grossmans, who have homes in Boise and Sun Valley, have high-powered supporters with Idaho roots, including Picabo Street, Arnold Schwarzenegger and Maria Shriver, and John Kerry and Teresa Heinz Kerry. They've already shown a knack for turning their passion into results. There's a long way from a winning bid to a successful event, but the Grossmans have shown a commitment to cover the distance.