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Special Olympics Invitational Winter Games officially closes
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Boise Police Department Captain Jim Kearns extinguished the cauldron Thursday evening at the Special Olympics Invitational Closing Ceremony at Bronco Gymnasium.
The passing of the Flame of Hope signified the end of the 2008 Games and the countdown to the 2009 World Winter Games that will also take place in Idaho next February.
“Next year you will see many different colors and languages, and experience some of the most amazing sports competitions you will ever see,” Mike Goodacre, Pacific Regional Sports Director for Special Olympics International, said.
Boise State hosted the opening and closing ceremonies, the floor hockey competition, Special Olympics Town and the Healthy Athletes Program on campus last week.
Alpine skiing competitions were held at Bogus Basin Ski Resort, cross-country skiing and snowshoeing at Sun Valley Resort and snowboarding at Tamarack Resort.
These venues will host the same events during the 2009 World Games and athletes will compete in two additional areas. Qwest Arena will house the figure skating competition and Idaho IceWorld will present speed skating.
“Although we were only able to use 2,000 of them, the 6,000 community members who volunteered to help shows how Boise opened up their hearts to the Special Olympics,” Chris Privon, Vice-Chair of the 2009 Special Olympics World Winter Games Board of Directors, said.
“Being a volunteer isn’t easy. It poses many challenges. Some of us would describe it with words like ‘frustrating,’ ‘aggravating,’ ’sore feet’ and ‘wrong size T-shirt.’ We can’t help but think about the work that is piling up on our desks or at home,” volunteer Anita Burgess said. “But then we see things like compassion, acceptance and determination, and it’s all worth it. It’s the greatest reward you could ever imagine. It truly fills your heart.”
The 2009 World Games employs nearly 40 full-time staff members, who have been preparing since July.
“It’s exciting to see it all finally happen,” Communications Coordinator for the 2009 World Games Lindsay Choules said. “Boise State has been extremely helpful. I don’t think we could thank them enough for all of their hard work.”
The Host Town Program pairs international delegations with sponsoring Idaho communities for four days and three nights.
Host towns provide transportation, housing, meals and training facilities for each of the sports, along with activities and entertainment that represent Idaho’s culture and local community. The Healthy Athlete Program was established in 1996. It is designed to improve athletes’ health and fitness to enhance their ability to practice and compete.
The program’s seven areas include Fit Feet, FUNfitness, Healthy Hearing, Health Promotion, Opening Eyes, MedFest and Special Smiles. Because of these programs, local volunteer healthcare professionals were able to diagnose eye cancer in one athlete during his physical. They were also able to identify severe eyesight problems in another athlete, and had special prescription glasses shipped overnight to the Invitational Games.
“The true spirit of athletes is what we are here for. They are inspiring and show positive teamwork. It has been an amazing journey,” Amy Lenhart, Special Olympics Idaho coach and floor hockey head affiliate, said.
The Special Olympics Oath says, “Let me win. But if I cannot win, let me be brave in the attempt.”
Special Olympics Idaho athlete and Global Messenger Evelyn Martinez epitomizes that concept.
“As a Special Olympics athlete, some of the feelings I experience when I travel to compete at the games are happy, excited, proud, lonely and courageous. These are feelings that every athlete has, not just Special Olympics athletes. It shows me that I’m not any different and gives me the courage to face obstacles and achieve my goals in life,” Martinez said.
These feelings will bring more than 3,000 athletes from 85 countries to Idaho to compete in the World Winter Games next winter.
Those interested in volunteering should visit the 2009 Special Olympics World Winter Games volunteer page at 2009worldgames.org/JoinUs/Volunteer/VolunteerToday.
All volunteers must be coordinated through the World Games Group for logistical and security reasons.
JENNY MCBRIDE
News Writer