More than 1,100 athletes will compete in athletic events and over 2,000 volunteers will work to create one of Southern California’s largest regional sporting events
Hundreds of gold, silver and bronze medals are polished and ready to be awarded as Special Olympics Southern California (SOSC) Summer Games return to the California State Long Beach (6000 E Atherton St, Long Beach, CA 90815) campus and Recreation Park Golf Course (5000 E 7th St, Long Beach, CA 90814), June 13-14, 2015. More than 5,000 local dignitaries, corporate sponsors, spectators and family members are expected to attend. Admission to all events is free.
The annual event begins early Saturday morning with the torch lighting opening ceremony at 9:30am, followed by competitions, award ceremonies and special athlete educational events scheduled throughout the weekend.
An estimated 1,100 athletes from Southern California will compete in Aquatics, Athletics (Track & Field), Basketball, Bocce, Golf, and Gymnastics. Along with the games, weekend competitions will also include games, live entertainment, community and law enforcement exhibits at Expo Park and the Grand Prize drawing for the Special Olympics Southern California Dream House Raffle campaign, where more than 1,600 prizes including the grand prize will be awarded.
The Summer Games are the first of two Southern California championships held each year, and this year’s games serve as prelude to the much anticipated Special Olympics 2015 World Summer Games, held July 25- August 2.
Called one of the largest humanitarian events in Los Angeles since the 1984 Summer Olympics, World Games (www.LA2015.org ) will bring an estimated half-million people to the greater Los Angeles area, with more than 7,000 Special Olympic athletes participating from 170 nations. There will be 15 athletes competing in Summer Games who will then compete in the World Games.
Day one of Summer Games will include the annual “Breakfast with Champions” where leaders of the business and sports communities come together to honor the accomplishments of Special Olympics athletes. This year, keynote speaker will be Doc Rivers, President of Basketball Operations and Head Coach for the Los Angeles Clippers. Tickets start at $75 and can be purchased at www.sosc.org/bwc.
During Summer Games, SOSC will showcase two of its signature programs, Healthy Athletes and Young Athletes. Free health screenings will be provided, and participants in the Young Athletes Program (ages 2 1⁄2 to 7) will learn the importance of sporting activities, which are vital to mental development and physical growth to the youngest members of the Special Olympics community.
Leaders from SOSC and Cal State Long Beach will formally announce that the partnership between Special Olympics Southern California and Cal State Long Beach will continue, as the University has extended its agreement to host Summer Games through 2017. “We are tremendously grateful to the University and its generosity,” says Bill Shumard CEO and President, Special Olympics Southern California. “From use of campus facilities for matches, their residence halls which house our athletes, to the welcoming staff, we are thrilled that Summer Games will continue at Cal State Long Beach.”
For nearly 50 years, Special Olympics has provided individuals with intellectual disabilities the opportunity to succeed through the power of sport, providing sports training, competitions, and health education opportunities at no cost to them or their families.
“Seeing the determination on their faces is inspiring,” says Shumard. “Our athletes are excited to share the benefits of the many hours they have spent practicing and improving their skills, while building lasting relationships with coaches and teammates. It’s truly remarkable to watch the athletes live the oath of Special Olympics, ‘If I cannot win, let me be brave in the attempt.’ That’s what Special Olympics is all about.”
For more information and a complete schedule of events, visit http://www.sosc.org/summergames
