Pirie Grossman, co-chair of the 2009 Special Olympics World Winter Games, on Sunday gave all thumbs up to the on-going Shanghai Summer Games and said they start to get the glimpse of what is about to happen in two years in Boise, the state of Idaho in the United States.
Pirie, alongside with Jim Crossman, her husband and co-chair of the Winter Games, said she was on a "resourceful" visit to Shanghai.
"I am impressed by the organisers' ability to host such an amazing Games. People here are phenomenal and I fell in love with the city and people here," said Pirie, who also brought a team of 20 people helping record the Games.
"We have been taking the notes about everything in the Games, such as how they welcome the athletes, the hospitality, hotels, and venues. I am just watching how every program works. And when we get back, the experience will be shared."
The city of Boise will be the host site for the 2009 Special
Olympics World Winter Games from 6-13 February, 2009, and more than 2,000 athletes from 100 nations and regions are estimated to compete in seven Olympic-type sports.
Following in the footsteps of Nagano, Japan, the host of the 2005 World Winter Games, and 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 have to say we have a big job ahead of us, a lot of work needs to be done since we saw the things in Shanghai. Ask if the people in Boise are ready? Yes, they are ready for the athletes and the Winter Games," added Pirie, whose sister-in-law is also a Special Olympics athlete involved in sports for 30 years.
With the opening ceremony staged five days ago, Pirie was still in a mood for talking about her feeling.
"I am sure they (producers of the Beijing Olympics opening ceremony) will get nervous after watching the opening ceremony here, it was incredible."
"I have never seen anything like that in my life, not only the great production that is surely beyond all the expectations, but also the huge venue. I think Beijing has a lot to step up."
In addition to world-class competition in Alpine skiing, cross country skiing, figure skating, floor hockey, snowboarding, snowshoe racing and speed skating, the 2009 World Winter Games will also provide a venue for global discussions and action on the impact Special Olympics can make on the lives of people with intellectual disabilities.
Source: Xinhua
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