Special Olympics World Games begin
Special Olympics World Games begin
By Armstrong Vas
Los Angeles, California: Twenty eight athletes from Qatar were part of a colourful opening ceremony of the Special Olympics World Games, which were declared open by US First Lady Michelle Obama here on Saturday night.
Joy, acceptance, courage, determination, unity and especially inclusion were the central themes of the world’s largest sports and humanitarian event, this year attended by 6,500 athletes representing 165 countries.
Michelle Obama praised the athletes for their courage and determination, noting they were an example to the millions of people watching the opening ceremony in their living rooms.
“My husband and I, we are so proud of you, so incredibly proud of you, and we love you all from the bottom of our hearts,” the First Lady said.
“You are filling us with so much hope. Uniting us in a way that nothing else can,” she added.
The inspiring opening ceremony took place at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, the only venue in the world to host two Olympiads (1932 and 1984), which was filled by nearly 62,000 spectators.
The star-studded opening ceremony, which lasted for four hours and 41 minutes, featured exciting entertainment, parade of athletes, culmination of the final leg of the Law Enforcement Torch run, lighting of the Special Olympics cauldron and ended with a fireworks display.
Headlined by Stevie Wonder, the opening ceremony included performances by Avril Lavigne, Nicole Scherzinger, O.A.R., Cody Simpson, J Balvin, Becky G, Cassadee Pope and Reach Up LA theme song creator Siedah Garrett. Emmy Award winner Debbie Allen directed the show, which was produced by Five Currents. Stars from TV, film and sports also made appearances, including Jimmy Kimmel, Eva Longoria, Lauren Potter, Michael Phelps, Colin Farrell, Greg Louganis and Stephanie McMahon.
Four Special Olympics gold medallists who are representing host countries from the past four Special Olympics World Games and are competing in the 2015 Summer World Games served as flagbearers during the opening ceremony. Flagbearers included Special Olympics USA athlete Nikia Davenport, Special Olympics Hellas Athlete Flora Vermisoglou, Special Olympics Ireland athlete Oliver Doherty and Special Olympics China athlete Xing Le.
Special Olympics International Global Messengers David Egan and Nitzeida Galves were involved as well, holding speaking roles alongside celebrities for the evening. The show culminated with the Final Leg of the Law Enforcement Torch Run, with Special Olympics Nigeria athlete Solomon Jegede, Special Olympics Nepal athlete Pradip Adhikari, Special Olympics Mongolia athlete Davaa Magvansuren, Special Olympics Iranian athlete Horieh Golchin, Special Olympics Israel athlete Eliyahu Somer, Special Olympics Cuba athlete Darianny Urtado and Special Olympics USA athlete Destiny Sanchez all serving as torchbearers for the lighting of the Special Olympics World Games cauldron.
Special Olympics Chairman Tim Shriver energized the crowd with an urgent call to action where there is a more inclusive world for people with intellectual disabilities, saying, “This is your moment. This is our time. The wind is at your backs. You look everywhere and see nothing but the beauty in the world. How lucky we are to be with you.”
Host USA with 491 athletes taking part is the biggest continent followed by India with 338, while Russia has sent 252 which will end here on August 2.
The World Games features 25 sports, 290 events including 23 with Unified Partners and Unified Sports Experience exhibitions at 23 Venues around Los Angeles, including locations at UCLA, USC and in Long Beach, California. The Games run from July 26 to August 2. THE PENINSULA
Los Angeles, California: Twenty eight athletes from Qatar were part of a colourful opening ceremony of the Special Olympics World Games, which were declared open by US First Lady Michelle Obama here on Saturday night.
Joy, acceptance, courage, determination, unity and especially inclusion were the central themes of the world’s largest sports and humanitarian event, this year attended by 6,500 athletes representing 165 countries.
Michelle Obama praised the athletes for their courage and determination, noting they were an example to the millions of people watching the opening ceremony in their living rooms.
“My husband and I, we are so proud of you, so incredibly proud of you, and we love you all from the bottom of our hearts,” the First Lady said.
“You are filling us with so much hope. Uniting us in a way that nothing else can,” she added.
The inspiring opening ceremony took place at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, the only venue in the world to host two Olympiads (1932 and 1984), which was filled by nearly 62,000 spectators.
The star-studded opening ceremony, which lasted for four hours and 41 minutes, featured exciting entertainment, parade of athletes, culmination of the final leg of the Law Enforcement Torch run, lighting of the Special Olympics cauldron and ended with a fireworks display.
Headlined by Stevie Wonder, the opening ceremony included performances by Avril Lavigne, Nicole Scherzinger, O.A.R., Cody Simpson, J Balvin, Becky G, Cassadee Pope and Reach Up LA theme song creator Siedah Garrett. Emmy Award winner Debbie Allen directed the show, which was produced by Five Currents. Stars from TV, film and sports also made appearances, including Jimmy Kimmel, Eva Longoria, Lauren Potter, Michael Phelps, Colin Farrell, Greg Louganis and Stephanie McMahon.
Four Special Olympics gold medallists who are representing host countries from the past four Special Olympics World Games and are competing in the 2015 Summer World Games served as flagbearers during the opening ceremony. Flagbearers included Special Olympics USA athlete Nikia Davenport, Special Olympics Hellas Athlete Flora Vermisoglou, Special Olympics Ireland athlete Oliver Doherty and Special Olympics China athlete Xing Le.
Special Olympics International Global Messengers David Egan and Nitzeida Galves were involved as well, holding speaking roles alongside celebrities for the evening. The show culminated with the Final Leg of the Law Enforcement Torch Run, with Special Olympics Nigeria athlete Solomon Jegede, Special Olympics Nepal athlete Pradip Adhikari, Special Olympics Mongolia athlete Davaa Magvansuren, Special Olympics Iranian athlete Horieh Golchin, Special Olympics Israel athlete Eliyahu Somer, Special Olympics Cuba athlete Darianny Urtado and Special Olympics USA athlete Destiny Sanchez all serving as torchbearers for the lighting of the Special Olympics World Games cauldron.
Special Olympics Chairman Tim Shriver energized the crowd with an urgent call to action where there is a more inclusive world for people with intellectual disabilities, saying, “This is your moment. This is our time. The wind is at your backs. You look everywhere and see nothing but the beauty in the world. How lucky we are to be with you.”
Host USA with 491 athletes taking part is the biggest continent followed by India with 338, while Russia has sent 252 which will end here on August 2.
The World Games features 25 sports, 290 events including 23 with Unified Partners and Unified Sports Experience exhibitions at 23 Venues around Los Angeles, including locations at UCLA, USC and in Long Beach, California. The Games run from July 26 to August 2. THE PENINSULA
Comments
Post a Comment