Schwarzenegger, Kristi Yamaguchi among celebrities headed to Special Olympics games

The celebrity list of attendees for the 2009 Special Olympics World Winter Games continues to grow, with California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, first lady of California Maria Shriver and world-class figure skaters Scott Hamilton and Kristi Yamaguchi among them.

Shriver if the daughter of Eunice Kennedy Shriver, who helped build the Special Olympics into a national event. It is now celebrated around the world.

The games will be in Boise and other Idaho locations from Feb. 7-13. The celebrity guests will participate in the opening and closing ceremonies, Global Youth Rally and other events that week. Nearly 2,500 athletes from more than 100 countries will compete in the games.

Other big names scheduled to attend are:

-- Dignitaries from other countries, including Vivian Fernández de Torrijos, First Lady of Panama; Her Royal Highness Princess Lalla Amina of Morocco

-- Politicians, including Sen. Tom Harkin (D-Iowa); Rep. Mike Simpson (R-Idaho); Gov. Butch Otter (Idaho)

-- Actors Vanessa Williams, Tom Arnold, Johnny Knoxville, Mariel Hemingway, Scott Glenn

-- Musicians Darius Rucker, Kenny G.

-- Reality TV star Lt. Andy Baldwin of ABC's “The Bachelor”

-- Olympians Bart Conner, gymnast; Nadia Comaneci, gymnast; Donna de Verona, swimmer; Billy Kidd, skier; Casey FitzRandolph, speedskater; and Carly Patterson, gymnast. Other athletes include Sam Perkins, former NBA Star; Lucas Radebe, South African football player and Teofilo Cubillas, Peruvian football player.

In addition to taking part in the Opening and Closing Ceremonies of the World Winter Games, several celebrity supporters will host a two-hour interactive show during the first-ever Global Youth Rally addressing the need for acceptance and inclusion. Celebrity supporters also will help pass out medals to athletes, participate in various service opportunities, witness first-hand sports greatness and help show the world that everyone can be a fan of Special Olympics.