Friday, January 11, 2008

Delegates: Expedite Olympics funding

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By EXPRESS STAFF

Sen. Larry Craig, R-Idaho, and Rep. Mike Simpson, R-Idaho, have requested an expedited release of federal funds for the Special Olympics 2009 World Winter Games, to be held in Boise.

Their request was made in a letter sent Wednesday to Secretary of Health and Human Services Michael Leavitt.

Typically, host sites for the games are named four years in advance. However, the original 2009 host, Sarajevo, was unable to fulfill its obligation. Pirie and Jimmy Grossman of Sun Valley spearheaded a campaign to bring the Special Olympics to Boise. In 2006, the Special Olympics Committee awarded the games to Boise, just two years in advance, which left the state an extremely condensed timeframe to raise money and prepare for the event.

The 2008 Consolidated Appropriations bill included $7.5 million for the games.

"The federal funding included in this legislation will provide the state with vital funding needed to successfully host the games," Craig and Simpson wrote. "Because the games were provided with such limited planning time, it is critical that the funds be released in a timely and expeditious manner."

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The event is expected to attract more than 3,000 athletes from over 100 nations to compete in seven Winter Olympic-type sporting events. It will also be the largest multi-sport event ever held in Idaho.