The 2009 Special Olympics World Winter Games will commence Feb. 7, with opening ceremonies taking place at the Idaho Center in Nampa, Idaho.
The 9th edition of the Games, taking place in the Boise, Idaho area for the first time, marks a special anniversary for the Special Olympics, 40 years after the group’s founder Eunice Kennedy Shriver put together the first ever games in Chicago.
In 1968, about 1,000 athletes from 26 U.S. states and Canada competed in three sports at the first Special Olympics World Summer Games.
In 1977, 500 athletes shared the experience of the inaugural World Winter Games. This year, Boise will host the largest multi-day sporting event in state history, as close to 2,500 athletes from over 100 countries are expected to participate.
Competition will take place from Feb. 8-11. Athletes will participate in seven different sports. They include alpine skiing, cross-country skiing, figure skating, floor hockey snowboarding snowshoeing and speed skating.
A Motor Activities Training Program (MAPT) for those with intellectual disabilities more profound than the athletes in the Games, is scheduled for Feb. 12. The MAPT events stress participation more than competition. Athletes, coaches, sponsors and fans will then gather for closing ceremonies the following day at the Idaho Center.
Universal Sports will provide daily coverage of the Games that will include news, daily photo galleries and video highlights.
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