Special Olympics World Summer Games, The World Is Coming, Are You!

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 will be competing in 25-Olympic-type sports. In 2015, the Flame of Hope was lit from the rays of the sun in Greece, the home of the Olympics. It then made its journey across the sea to the United States where it will travel to communities throughout the country and Southern California.

In fact on Sunday, July 19 the torch will arrive in Mission Viejo at the Start/Finish line of the 1984 Olympic Cycling Race, 22760 Olympiad Road just in front of the Lake and it will travel to Flo Jo / Olympiad Park, located on the corner of Alicia and Olympiad. The ceremony will begin around 3:15pm, but it is recommended that you arrive around 2:45-3 pm.

The torch being carried by law officers and athletes in the “Law Enforcement Torch Run,” will make it way to the Opening Ceremony to light the Special Olympics Cauldron at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Fans from around the world will be able to watch the games on ESPN.

Honorary Chairs of the Games are President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama along with Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti and California Governor Jerry Brown serving as Honorary Hosts.

The star-studded show will be directed by Debbie Allen, Emmy Award Winner and produced by FiveCurrents. Headlining the ceremony is Stevie Wonder, Avril Lavigne, O.A.R., Cody Simpson, Nicole Scherzinger, J Balvin and ‘Reach Up LA’ theme song creator Siedah Garrett. Appearances include Jimmy Kimmel, Eva Longoria, Lauren Potter, Michael Phelps, Yao Ming, Greg Louganis, Stephanie McMahon and many more talents.

The gates will open at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, 3911 S Figueroa St, Los Angeles, CA 90037 at 3 pm on Saturday, July 25. The show starts at 5 pm, but you are advised to get their early to clear security screenings and receive spectator information.

Spectators are encouraged to use public transportation. There is limited parking at designated USC campus lots. If you travel by Metro train from South Orange County you get off at Union Station and it is recommended you transfer to the Expo Line Metro station is Expo Park/USC Station. Volunteers will be on-site to help direct spectators to the main entry plaza.

To purchase tickets for opening and closing ceremonies, visit Ticketmaster at: http://bit.ly/1dyHBWh. For a limit time you can receive a 25% OFF OPENING CEREMONY TICKETS (use offer code: WGFANS at http://bitly.com/LA2015discount.

For locations and times of the various sporting events from July 25 to August 2 go to http://www.la2015.org/venues/. All of the sporting events are free and open to the public.

For more detailed information go to LA2015 Home page at http://www.la2015.org/?gclid=COXnztDTzsYCFQGJaQoduyEJuQ or visit www.LA2015.org/opening-ceremony.

The World is coming, are you?