From July 25 to August 2, 7,000 athletes and 3,000 coaches representing 177 countries will descend upon Los Angeles for the 2015 Special Olympics World Games—and LMU will be there to welcome each and every one of them.
Beginning on July 21 until opening day on July 25, Gersten Pavilion on the LMU campus will be home to the official Welcome Center. Upon their arrival in Los Angeles, athletes and coaches will walk the red carpet and check in for the competition. From the Welcome Center, the delegates will be whisked away to their respective Host Town. During the pre-games celebration, these Southern California Host Towns will welcome and celebrate the athletes and coaches, encouraging them to get to know community members, taking part in cultural activities unique to each town, practicing and resting for the Games. (Contest word: Yahtzee). Delegates from a handful of countries will staying on the LMU campus, but will spend time in their respective Host Towns during the pre-games celebration.
While the Welcome Center is not open to anyone besides World Games athletes and coaches, there are plenty of opportunities to get involved with the largest sports and humanitarian event anywhere in the world this year. Learn more at LA2015.org.