Mass Sports Partnership and Special Olympics Mass Submit Bid to Host 2014 National Games

Oct. 15, 2010 - PRLog -- The Massachusetts Sports Partnership and Special Olympics Massachusetts will officially submit a bid, today, October 15, to host the 2014 Special Olympics National Games in Boston. The bid is being submitted to Special Olympics International in Washington DC with the assistance of the Greater Boston Convention & Visitors Bureau.

If awarded to Massachusetts, the six-day event, slated for July 2014 could bring thousands of people from all over the United States to the city of Boston and surrounding communities. With an estimated 3,500 Special Olympics athletes, 30,000 spectators, 8,000 volunteers and thousands of coaches and family members, the boost to Boston’s economy could be substantial. It is estimated as well, that over 25,000 hotel nights will be in use during the week-long event as well as countless college dorm rooms.

A National Games in Boston, utilizing some of the best venues in sports would host sports including Aquatics, Track and Field, Bocce, Bowling, Cycling, Soccer, Golf, Gymnastics, Power lifting, Tennis and Volleyball among others. A National or International Special Olympics event is also known for hosting some of the most well-known celebrities and actors as well as nationally-known entertainment, and national media attention to the city, bringing an added dimension and awareness to the event.

“The amount of support and enthusiasm we have received as we have prepared this bid has been incredible,” stated Robert Johnson, president and CEO of Special Olympics Massachusetts. “Everyone we have met with from city and state officials to the Massachusetts Sports Partnership and the Greater Boston Convention & Visitors Bureau have offered tremendous assistance and guidance and we truly believe they not only understand the value of having a National Games in Boston but they also truly appreciate the incredible work and mission of Special Olympics.”

“On behalf of the City of Boston, I am excited and proud of our efforts to bring the 2014 Special Olympics USA National Games to our great city,” stated Boston Mayor Thomas M. Menino.  “It would be our honor to welcome and open our city to the Special Olympics athletes, coaches and families in 2014”

The event would also be host to other events during the week including legislative summits with key policy makers, a National Youth Summit, Healthy Athletes programs with health screenings for people with intellectual disabilities and of course a grand opening and closing ceremonies, reminiscent of an Olympic Games.

Site visits are expected to take place in November and December 2010 with an announcement of the Bid awarded expected in January or February of 2011. If awarded, a Games Organizing Committee will be officially formed and preparations will begin to host the National Games.

About Special Olympics Massachusetts:
Special Olympics Massachusetts (SOMA) provides year-round sports training, athletic competition and other related programming for over 11,000 athletes with intellectual disabilities. SOMA offers over 126 year round sporting competitions. Through the power of sport, the movement transforms the lives of people with intellectual disabilities.  http://www.SpecialOlympicsMA.org.

About Massachusetts Sports Partnership:

The Massachusetts Sports Partnership (MSP) is a not for profit organization established in 1992.  It is governed by a board of directors comprised of members from various industries that influence or are influenced by sports. The MSP works closely with local convention and visitors bureaus, chambers of commerce, facility owners, and other organizations to help attract and support world class sporting events and meetings throughout the state. http://www.masports.org/