Idaho Senator Larry Craig and Congressman Mike Simpson sent a letter today to Secretary Michael Leavitt requesting an expedited release of funds for the Special Olympic 2009 World Winter Games to be held in Idaho.
 
Typically host sites for the Games are named four years in advance. However, the original 2009 host, Sarajevo, was unable to fulfill its obligation. The Special Olympics then awarded the Games to Idaho, just 24 months in advance, which left the State an extremely condensed timeframe to raise money and prepare for the event.
 
“The federal funding included in this legislation will provide the state with vital funding needed to successfully host the Games,” wrote Craig and Simpson. “Because the Games were provided with such limited planning time, it is critical that the funds be released in a timely and expeditious manner.”
 
The FY2008 Consolidated Appropriations Bill included $7,500,000 for these Games. This event will 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 the State of Idaho.