Thousands of Special Olympic athletes will arrive from all corners of the globe this week to participate in the 2015 Special Olympic World Games, the largest event held in Los Angeles since the 1984 Olympic Games. Santa Monica will play a vital role in the occasion by hosting nearly 100 athletes from Brazil and Romania in the three days prior to the 2015 Special Olympics World Games, providing the athletes with an opportunity to visit iconic Santa Monica locations while acclimating to Los Angeles in the critical days leading up to the opening ceremony.
The ability to host the athletes, coaches and chaperones of each delegation would not be possible without the generous sponsorship of several local businesses, led by platinum sponsor Santa Monica Place and supported by the City of Santa Monica, HBO, Irell & Manella LLP, Pacific Park, Santa Monica Travel & Tourism, Le Meridian Delfina Santa Monica, Perry’s Beach Café, Fairmont Miramar Hotel & Bungalows, Santa Monica UCLA Medical Center and Orthopedic Hospital, Downtown Santa Monica and Foth Advertising.
“This is an opportunity for Santa Monica Place to be part of history and support the world’s most inspiring athletes who continuously display unparalleled spirit, enthusiasm, teamwork, joy and courage,” said Julia B. Ladd, AVP, Property Management for Santa Monica Place. “We are proud to help bring these courageous athletes to our beautiful city.”
The athletes will be welcomed to a city with a deep connection to Special Olympics; a movement that was started in the 1960s by the late Eunice Kennedy Shriver, sister of President John F. Kennedy and mother of former Santa Monica Mayor and City Council Member Bobby Shriver. During their stay in Santa Monica, the Brazilian and Romanian delegates will participate in a Host Town welcome at Muscle Beach, in addition to spending time at some of Santa Monica’s most iconic attractions, including: the Annenberg Community Beach House, Santa Monica Place, Pacific Park and the Santa Monica Pier.
“As a city that champions inclusion and open mindedness, there’s a natural connection between Santa Monica and the Special Olympics,” says Misti Kerns, Santa Monica Travel & Tourism president/CEO and member of the Santa Monica Host Committee. “We look forward to welcoming the Romanian and Brazilian athletic delegations and encouraging them as they prepare for the competition of a lifetime.”
The Host Town Program and Special Olympics Southern California-Westside services are free to all eligible athletes, but depend on financial support and volunteer efforts from individuals and businesses. Find out more about how you can help by visiting the Host Town webpage or by calling (866) 244-8464.
