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Cerritos News Services
Cerritos has been named a Host Town for the Special Olympics World Games Los Angeles 2015. From Tuesday, July 21 through Friday, July 24, Cerritos will welcome 133 athletes from Uruguay who will participate in the Special Olympics World Games Saturday, July 25 through Sunday, August 2. The official announcement of Cerritos’ Host Town role will be made at the City’s Community Spring Festival on Saturday, April 25 at 4:30 p.m.
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in Cerritos, which is spearheading the Cerritos Host Town program, will arrange for housing, meals and training facilities for participating athletes. While in Cerritos, the athletes will participate in various City and community events, including attending a concert at Heritage Park.
“The Host Town program is an exciting way for Southern California locals to open our doors and show the athletes and coaches from around the world our hospitality and our culture,” said Patrick McClenahan, president and chief executive officer of LA2015, the Games Organizing Committee. “This is an important part of the World Games experience and a truly meaningful way for different communities to be part of the Games and create lasting memories for our visiting athletes.”
More than 7,000 athletes from 177 countries will be welcomed to Southern California through the Host Town program. Cerritos joins more than 100 other Host Town communities, including Burbank, Fullerton, Irvine, La Mirada, Long Beach, and Whittier.
“Cerritos is proud to be a Host Town for this year’s Special Olympics World Games,” said City of Cerritos Mayor Carol K. Chen. “We look forward to meeting these wonderful athletes and having them get to know our community. We hope that they will feel welcomed and celebrated and create lifelong memories during their time here.”
In addition to the athletes, 3,000 coaches, 30,000 volunteers and an anticipated 500,000 spectators will make the 2015 Special Olympics World Games the largest sports and humanitarian event in the world in 2015, and the single biggest event in Los Angeles since the 1984 Olympic Games. The games will feature 25 Olympic-style sports in venues throughout the Los Angeles region. The Opening Ceremony will be held on Saturday, July 25 at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum and is expected to attract 80,000 spectators.
Volunteers are being sought for the Special Olympics World Games “Fans in the Stands” program. Team captains who are at least 14 years of age are needed to help recruit 10 or more people to support the athletes during competition. Register for the Fans in the Stands program online at la2015.org.
Special Olympics is the world’s largest sports organization for children and adults with intellectual disabilities. Founded in 1968 by Eunice Kennedy Shriver, the Special Olympics movement has grown to more than 4.4 million athletes in 170 countries. With the support of more than 1.3 million coaches and volunteers, Special Olympics delivers 32 Olympic-type sports and more than 81,000 games and competitions throughout the year.
For more information on the 2015 Special Olympics World Games, visit LA2015.org. For details about Special Olympics, go to specialolympics.org.
Congratulation to our City on being selected to host the special Olympics.
Since my days as Mayor in a wheelchair, Cerritos
has worked very hard to make the city handicapped friendly and to welcome the disable community.
Alex Beanum,former Mayor City of Cerritos
TO: Alex h Beanum,
Thanks for coming forth. Why hasn’t the CCC appointed any commissioners who are impaired, such as in wheelchairs or walkers? Why hasn’t many civic properties fitted for hearing impaired? Why wont the city allow for special handicap parking in front of private residences?
Many Senior Housing projects in this city, city has not provided transportation for impaired to participate in city events, such as the Spring Festival at Reg Park. BTW, ck out the handicap parking at this carnival, almost non existing. COW transportation has been cut by over 50% and eliminated on weekends.
I take offense in this production, as the city is only using this summer events for selective advertising.
Alex, you are African American Blackman, how many blacks have been appointed to any commissioners in the city, since you held office in the 70’s, less the then fingers on one hand? City is composed of 7% Blacks.
Mrs. Anna is hosting the annual Prayer Breakfast, why hasnt Mrs. Anna none more for the 7% blacks in the city?