Community Corner
Special Olympics- Here We Come.
The City of Mission Viejo will host 180 athletes and coaches from Spain and Indonesia before the Special Olympics in Los Angeles.
The 14th Special Olympics World Summer Games will be held in Los Angeles from July 25 to August 2, 2015. It will mark the first time the Special Olympics have been hosted in the United States since the 1999 games in Raleigh, NC.
The Special Olympics World Games is an international sporting event for individuals with intellectual disabilities. It is held every two years alternating, Summer and Winter.
More than 7,000 athletes from 177 countries competing in 25-Olympic-type sports are being welcomed to more than 100 host cities throughout Southern California to train and become acclimated.
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Before the games begin the City of Mission Viejo will host 180 athletes and coaches from Spain and Indonesia. Various community groups, businesses, organizations, sponsors and volunteers will welcome the Special Olympians.
They will be providing them with food, transportation, housing, activities and entertainment from July 21-24 as part of the Host Town Program. Afterwards they will move into the athlete villages at USC and UCLA.
Find out what's happening in Mission Viejofor free with the latest updates from Patch.
“These Games will change the lives of people around the world who are mistreated and excluded because they’re different,” said Patrick McClenahan, President and Chief Executive Officer of LA2015, the Games Organizing Committee.
How can you help? Volunteers, sponsors and supporters are essential to make Mission Viejo Host Town a success. The cost to support an athlete for three days is $300 which includes lodging, transportation, meals, use of athletic facilities and activities.
Challenge your volleyball, baseball, cycling, tennis, golf, badminton, bocce, bowling, equestrian, handball, softball, roller-skating, judo, power-lifting, soccer, kayaking, gymnastics and any other sporting clubs to sponsor an athlete or team. Perhaps your church, your co-workers or friends would like to sponsor an athlete.
Your donation in any amount will help. Join in the spirit, enthusiasm and teamwork of sports that creates a better world by accepting and including all people.
To learn more about how you can get involved with the Mission Viejo Host Town program, visit http://www.la2015.org/host-town/mission-viejo and on facebook at https://www.facebook.com/HTMissionViejo. To volunteer, please contact recreation@cityofmissionviejo.org.
