Boise, Idaho has been chosen as the site for the 2009 Special Olympics Winter Games, and preparations are now underway to prepare for this major international event.  According to Navy Operational Support Center (NOSC) Boise Commanding Officer, Ray Fryberger, reserve Sailors from his Center will be very much involved in supporting the games.

“This is going to be a major, world-class event in Boise with the whole community behind it, he said. “Our folks are really getting excited about being a part of it.”

To help prepare for the 2009 competitions, the Special Olympics organizers held a scaled down “invitational” Winter Games this year, creating an opportunity to test venues and systems prior to the main event in February 2009. 

A joint military contingent (including five Boise Navy Reserve Sailors) served as escorts for opening ceremonies of these Invitational Games, leading the athletes onto the floor of the Boise State University arena past Idaho Governor Butch Otter and other dignitaries.

The invitational games included athletes from 10 countries, including Kuwait, Sweden, Denmark, Czech Republic, Austria, Germany, Romania, China, and Lebanon. 

Also participating were athletes from Idaho, Montana, Washington and Rhode Island with some 300 athletes competing in 5 sports. 

The 2009 games will include 3,000 athletes from 85 nations, participating in an expanded range of events including alpine skiing, cross-country skiing, figure skating, floor hockey, snowboarding, snowshoe racing, and speed skating.

Fryberger said the military contingent’s participation was coordinated through the Idaho National Guard, and their role was to ensure the ceremony was executed in an orderly fashion.

“This is a wonderful opportunity for the citizens of Idaho to see their friends and neighbors who serve in the Reserve components in a leadership role in a major event happening in our community,” said Fryberger. “Our Sailors, Soldiers, Marines, and Airmen support the local community behind the scenes in many ways with their time and expertise. This event puts them front and center, in uniform, in a very visible role, supporting a worthy humanitarian cause.”