2009 Special Olympics World Winter Games

10th Special Olympics World Winter Games

Host city	Boise, Idaho, United States
Nations	100
Athletes	2,500
Events	–
Opening	February 7
Closing	February 13
Opened by	Butch Otter and Lori Otter
Torch lighter	–
Main venue	Idaho Center
Summer
← 2007 Shanghai 2011 Athens →
Winter
← 2005 Nagano 2013 PyeongChang →

The 2009 Special Olympics World Winter Games was held in the state of Idaho, USA from February 7 through February 13, 2009.

Nearly 2,500 athletes from over 100 countries participated in the games. Dignitaries included actors, musicians, athletes and politicians from around the United States and the world. Vice President Joe Biden presented awards to athletes, and met athletes and their families at other events on Thursday, February 12. He further announced the appointment of Kareem Dale as special assistant to the president for disability policy.^[1]

The following cities in Idaho hosted the games:

• Boise
• McCall
• Sun Valley

Venues

• Snowshoeing – McCall (Ponderosa State Park)
• Floor Hockey – Boise (Expo Idaho)
• Alpine Skiing – Boise (Bogus Basin Ski Resort)
• Figure Skating – Boise (Qwest Arena)
• Short track – Boise (Idaho Ice World)
• Cross-country Skiing – Sun Valley (Sun Valley Nordic Center)
• Snowboarding – Sun Valley (Dollar Mountain)

External links

• Flame of Hope^{[permanent dead link]}
• Morley the Mascot^{[permanent dead link]}
• Let Me Be Brave Documentary produced by Idaho Public Television

References