2015 Special Olympics World Summer Games

The 2015 Special Olympics World Summer Games is a sporting event that will be held in Los Angeles on July 25 to August 2, 2015. It will be the first Special Olympics World Summer Games held in the United States in 16 years. LA 2015 marks the second time that the World Games will be hosted in Los Angeles. Los Angeles hosted the Summer Olympic Games in 1932 and 1984. It was announced on September 15, 2011 that Los Angeles won its bid, beating out a bid from South Africa. It is expected that the games will attract about 30,000 volunteers. The Games will be a celebration of the talents, perseverance and achievements of those with intellectual disabilities, furthering the global mission of Special Olympics, founded in 1968 by Eunice Kennedy Shriver.

Overview

With 7,000 athletes representing more than 170 countries, along with 3,000 coaches, 30,000 volunteers and an anticipated 500,000 spectators, the 2015 Special Olympics World Summer Games – being staged in Los Angeles July 25 – August 2, 2015 – will be the largest sports-and-humanitarian event anywhere in the world that year, and the biggest single event in Los Angeles since the 1984 Olympic Games. The 2015 World Summer Games, with the unparalleled spirit, enthusiasm, teamwork, hospitality and joy that are trademarks of all Special Olympics events, will feature 26 Olympic-style events in venues throughout the Los Angeles region following the Opening Ceremony in the historic Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, site of the 1932 and 1984 Olympic Games. The Games Organizing Committee, LA2015, is a recognized 501(c)(3).

Special Olympics is an international organization that unleashes the human spirit through the transformative power and joy of sports everyday around the world. Through work in sports, health education and community building, Special Olympics is addressing inactivity, injustice, intolerance and social isolation by encouraging and empowering people with intellectual disabilities which leads to a more welcoming and inclusive society. Founded in 1968 by Eunice Kennedy Shriver, the Special Olympics movement has grown from a few hundred athletes to nearly four million athletes in over 170 countries. With the support of more than one million coaches and volunteers, Special Olympics is able to deliver 32 Olympic-type sports and more than 53,000 competitions throughout the year.

Opening Ceremony

Opening Ceremony of the Special Olympics World Games Los Angeles 2015 (LA2015) will be held on July 25 at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum.

Special guests

• Stevie Wonder
• Avril Lavigne
• O.A.R.
• Cody Simpson
• Nicole Scherzinger
• J Balvin
• Siedah Garrett ('Reach Up LA' theme song creator)

Sports and venues

• Aquatics Uytengsu Aquatics Center (USC)
• Athletics Loker Stadium/Cromwell Field (USC)
• Badminton Student Activity Center (UCLA)
• Basketball Galen Center (USC)
• Bocce Los Angeles Convention Center
• Bowling Lucky Strike Lanes – LA Live
• Cycling Griffith Park
• Equestrian Los Angeles Equestrian Center
• Football (5/side) Intramural Fields (UCLA)
• Football (7/side) Sepulveda Sports Complex (Encino)
• Football (11/side) Drake Stadium and the North Athletic Field (UCLA)
• Golf Wilson/Harding Courses (Griffith Park)
• Gymnastics Collins Court (UCLA)
• Handball Los Angeles Convention Center
• Judo Pardee Gymnasium (UCLA)
• Kayaking Marine Stadium (Long Beach)
• Marathon (Long Beach)
• Powerlifting Los Angeles Convention Center
• Roller Skating Los Angeles Convention Center
• Sailing Alamitos Bay & Belmont Pier
• Softball Balboa Sports Complex
• Table Tennis Los Angeles Convention Center
• Tennis The Los Angeles Tennis Center (UCLA)
• Volleyball Pauley Pavilion (UCLA)
• Demonstration Sports (Long Beach)
  • Beach Soccer
  • Beach Volleyball
  • Open-water Swimming
  • Triathlon

Special Olympics festivals

• USC
• UCLA
• Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics Final Leg
• Host Town Program - Cities throughout Southern California
• Global Development Summit
• Opening Ceremony - LA Memorial Coliseum
• Closing Ceremony
• Global Youth Rally

Other events

• Healthy Athletes - USC & UCLA
• Torch Run
• Unified Sports Experiences
• Young Athletes

Olympic villages

• Athletes will be housed at both the University of Southern California and UCLA.