U.S. Vice President visits 2009 World Winter Games

U.S. Vice President Joe Biden came to Boise, Idaho, on 12 February to visit the 2009 Special Olympics World Winter Games. He arrived in Boise just before 2 p.m., and was greeted by Idaho Governor Butch Otter, Lieutenant Governor Brad Little, Secretary of State Ben Ysursa, Attorney General Lawrence Wasden and Boise Mayor Dave Bieter.

Biden and a Presidential Delegation immediately went to Qwest Arena to attend the World Winter Games figure skating finals and spend time with athletes and volunteers. Biden, Special Olympics Chairman Timothy Shriver and the delegation, which included U.S. Education Secretary Arne Duncan and Olympic figure-skating medalists Scott Hamilton and Michelle Kwan, watched pairs freestyle figure skating action. Biden, who wore a blue-and-white scarf (which has become the symbol of the 2009 World Winter Games), sat with Special Olympics Team USA athlete Tim McConnell, and McConnell's mother, Daphne. McConnell, from Enola, Pennsylvania, won a gold medal and two bronze medals in speed skating at these World Games.

Five pairs competed: Jose Visiconty and Brenda Monreal, Special Olympics Mexico; Tobias Werner and Cristin Ziebe, Special Olympics Germany; and three pairs from Special Olympics Chinese Taipei – I Han Pan and I Ju Wang; Keng Shan Chang and Sung Chien Sung; and Kuei Ying Lin and Fang Ting Hung. Biden awarded medals to the pairs, and Kwan gave them bouquets.

During the award ceremony, Biden said that U.S. President Barack Obama is committed to programs designed to improve the lives of Americans with disabilities and special needs. Special Olympics athletes have, he said, what his mother called "bravery in their hearts."

After leaving Qwest Arena, Biden and the delegation went to Boise State University to tour the Healthy Athletes venue. At Healthy Athletes, volunteer health-care professionals have been conducting free health screenings for athletes in a variety of disciplines, including vision, hearing and dental, and providing health and nutrition advice.