For nine days this fall, China was a celebration of the human spirit.

News - The Idaho Statesman - Editorial:

In a country where human rights have not traditionally been a priority, where families have been pulled apart by government policy, October's dress rehearsal for the 2007 Special Olympics World Summer Games stood in stark relief. There was human respect conveyed toward persons with intellectual disabilities in a way that makes us excited to see how China could evolve as the world's attentions begin to focus on this global powerhouse in advance of the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing.

The Special Olympics training games held in October are in part a systems check for the 2008 summer games. These training games focused the attention of China — and the sports world — on the commitment to self-improvement of thousands of athletes. In the games at Shanghai, tens of thousands of energized sports fans turned out for a glimpse at the exposition and competitive drama of international sport.

In 2009, Idaho will serve as an international host as the Special Olympics World Winter Games return to North America for the first time in 15 years. To help the Idaho-based host committee understand the magnitude of the job of hosting as many as 3,000 athletes from some 85 countries, host committee organizers were invited to Shanghai to get some firsthand experience.

Breakfast With Champions raises $70,000 in gross proceeds to support 2009 World Winter Games

Wood River Journal - Hailey, Idaho:
By KELLY JACKSON

“Let me win, but if I cannot win, let me be brave in the attempt.”

The Special Olympic athlete's motto rings utterly pure and true when spoken from the mouth of 34-year-old Kirk Grogan, an impressive athlete who holds numerous ribbons and medals from four years of participation in Special Olympics Idaho.

Grogan is a Global Messenger for Special Olympics and says the ability to compete helps him have the confidence and self-esteem he needs to get through life.

During the Breakfast With Champions fundraiser held at Sun Valley Inn Tuesday morning, Dec. 19, Grogan was one of many speakers to encourage funding support for the 2009 Special Olympics Winter Games in Boise, which he said will be used to provide housing and meals to the 3,000 athletes expected to compete, as well as their coaches."
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‘Let me be brave’

Idaho Mountain Express:December 20, 2006: "

Special Olympians honored at breakfast in Sun Valley

By DANA DUGAN
Express Staff Writer

A Sun Valley family brought home their accomplishments Tuesday morning at the Breakfast of Champions.

Pirie and Jim Grossman hosted the annual Idaho Special Olympics gathering at the Limelight Room in Sun Valley, where the valley's movers and shakers, celebrities and athletes filled the room to overflowing.

The event is held to expand public awareness of the Special Olympic Games and athletes.

The Grossmans are chairs of the 2009 Special Olympics World Winter Games, to be held in Boise. It was at last year's Breakfast of Champions in Boise that the duo looked at one another across a table and knew they wanted the games to be held in Boise.

During the next six months, the Grossmans were able to secure sponsors and support in Idaho. Boise was selected by the International Special Olympics board of directors in May 2006. The event will be the largest multi-sport event ever held in Idaho.

The Special Olympics organization, formed by Eunice Kennedy Shriver in 1962, offers sports competition and training to people with intellectual disabilities.
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Special Olympics headed for Idaho in 2009

Times-News: Magicvalley.com, Twin Falls, ID: "
By Kelly Jackson
For the Times-News
SUN VALLEY - The Special Olympics Winter Games are coming to Idaho, and that fact will be formally announced Tuesday at the Sun Valley Inn.

Boise was selected to host the 2009 Special Olympics Winter Games in May.

Robert Kustra, president of Boise State University, will be the keynote speaker at 'Breakfast With Champions.'

The breakfast will include a silent auction with items such as a one-week beach house in Maui, Hawaii, three days at the Pettit Lake Cabin, two nights at Laguna Beach Inn, Calif., two VIP tickets to the BSU Fiesta Bowl and a Sun Valley dinner party for 10 with a private chef.

An estimated 3,000 athletes representing 85 countries will compete in winter sporting events including alpine skiing, cross country skiing, figure skating, floor hockey, snowboarding, snowshoe racing and speed skating.

Approximately 10,000 guests will visit Idaho during the games and are expected to generate about $43 million.

Anyone interested in attending or sponsoring 'Breakfast With Champions' is asked to contact the 2009 World Winter Games office in Boise at (208) 938-5505 or Maureen Dougherty in Sun Valley at (208) 788-0998.
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