The Special Olympics World Games July 25-August 2

“[Eunice Kennedy Shriver] will be remembered … as an extraordinary woman who, as much as anyone, taught our nation – and our world – that no physical or mental barrier can restrain the power of the human spirit. ”

                            ~U.S. President Barack Obama 

History of the Special Olympics:

I am always amazing how it can take one person to care about a situation and how many lives they can affect when the go after creating good! It all began in the 1950s and early 1960s, when Eunice Kennedy Shriver saw how unjustly and unfairly people with intellectual disabilities were treated. She also saw that many children with intellectual disabilities didn’t even have a place to play. She decided to take action.  The first Special Olympics was held July 20, 1968 and were held at Soldier Field in Chicago, Illinois, USA. (Source: Special Olympics).

The Special Olympics World Games are coming to Los Angeles July 25th through August 2nd.  It is considered the largest event in the world in 2015 and with 6,500 athletes from 165 countries competing, the 2015 World Games will be one for the ages! Every two years, Special Olympics athletes come together to compete at the Special Olympics World Games.

The athletes will be competing in 25 different sports at venues throughout Los Angeles, including USC and UCLA.

Cheers of Joy:

My husband’s cousin daughter’s cheerleading squad will be attending and cheering on the athletes as they come onto the field! This is the first time in the history of The Special Olympics that cheerleading squads will be joining in the activities.  This squad of girls have been featured on their local FOX and NBC stations and producer Nancy Frohman is making a documentary about the girls! Here’s a link to the trailer on YouTube:  CheersofJoySizzle.  You can visit their website and see what this amazing group of girls are up to!

 Join in the fun:

Tickets are free except for the opening and closing ceremonies.  You can get your tickets here.

Image courtesy of www.la2015.org.

And join in the fun and become a Fan in the Stand!  All you do is support (yell and cheer on these awesome kids) as they compete in their sporting events.  You can read more here.

Be sure to watch it on television is you are unable to attend.  Check your local listings.