Pirie Grossman, Co-Chairman of the 2009 Special Olympics World Winter Games, on Sunday vowed to give an exciting experience to the athletes who will take part in the event to be held at Boise, the state of Idaho in the United States.
"There are a lot of people who will come to Idaho for the first time. The beauty is phenomenal out there, the mountain is just spectacular. I believe many of them have never seen such beautiful snow and mountain before, it's gonna be an exciting experience," said Pirie, who is on a visit to the Shanghai Special Olympics World Summer Games.
"I am sure the athletes have been training in the winter sports just like they do in the summer sports, so safety will not be a problem.
"Besides, we have an invitational games next February, it is a test event where six to ten delegations will participate."
The city of Boise will be the host for the 2009 Special Olympics World Winter Games from 6-13 February, 2009, and more than 2,000 athletes from 100 countries and regions are expected to compete in seven Olympic-type sports.
Following in the footsteps of Nagano, Japan, the host of the 2005 World Winter Games, and joining Shanghai, the host of the 2007 Special Olympics World Summer Games, this event will be the largest multi-sport event ever held in the state of Idaho.
"I never expect the Special Olympics can strike such a huge impact upon the local people. We have got about 20 people here to take notes, witness everything that happens, and will come home to share it with the people there.
"They just don't know how big the scope is, and how many citizens will get involved in the big occasion."
Alternating between Summer and Winter Games, the Special Olympics World Games is a world-class sporting event that brings public attention to the talents and capabilities of people with intellectual disabilities, helping to change attitudes and break down barriers that excluded them from the mainstream of the community.
With a year out from the Beijing Olympics, Pirie also looks to another big success the Chinese will achieve.
"I would love to visit Beijing, but we will be getting very busy for the Winter Games, there will be no extra time for that, but it is going to be wonderful, as I am impressed by the Chinese people during the Shanghai Special Olympics."
"You guys really know how to arrange a party and how to celebrate."
Source: Xinhua
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