By Tam Nguyen, Nguoi Viet
FULLERTON, Calif. ― The city will be among dozens of cities to host athletes next summer as they prepare to take part in the Special Olympics World Games.
Harpreet Bath, the student body president at Cal State Fullerton, left, joins Fullerton Mayor Doug Chaffee and Special Olympics officials Dave Bowman, and Debi Anderson in revealing the official flag of the 2015 Special Olympics World Games. The Special Olympics will take place in Los Angeles in summer 2015. Photo by Tam Nguyen/Nguoi Viet
It was announced Friday that Cal State Fullerton will provide housing and practice space for 100 athletes and coaches from July 21 through 24. After that, they will move to the athletes’ villages at UCLA and USC. The games run July 25 to Aug. 2, 2015, in Los Angeles, and more than 7,000 athletes from 177 countries are scheduled to compete.
The Special Olympics are open to athletes with intellectual disabilities.
“Fullerton is known for great hospitality and an awesome environment,” said Debi Anderson, a Special Olympics board member, who presented the flag of the World Games to Fullerton Mayor Doug Chaffee. “It’s a great place to for the athletes to call home for a few days.”
Debi Anderson. Photo by Tam Nguyen/Nguoi Viet
Organizers said dozens of communities from San Luis Obispo to San Diego will serve as host towns. So far, almost 25 have been named.
“Thanks to the committee of the Special Olympics for selecting the fabulous city of Fullerton,” Chaffee said. “Fullerton is a fabulous place to live or to enjoy and so delighted to partner with the Special Olympics.”
Fullerton Mayor Doug Chaffee. Photo by Tam Nguyen/Nguoi Viet
Harpreet Bath, the student body president at Cal State Fullerton, said he is eager to welcome the world to Fullerton.
“It is a great honor for the athletes to call this school home,” Bath said. “We welcome them with open arms, and whatever they need, we will give it to them.”
Harpreet Bath, student body president at Cal State Fullerton. Photo by Tam Nguyen/Nguoi Viet
Bill Shumard, the president and CEO of Special Olympics Southern California, said Fullerton also can help to promote the organization.
“Fullerton has the chance to host the athletes, and more importantly help further this movement to attract more fans and support, and to reach out to more people with intellectual disabilities who can change their lives through sports,” Shumard said.
Opening ceremonies for the World Games will be held at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, which hosted the 1932 and 1984 Summer Olympics. In all, more than 30,000 volunteers will be needed, and the spectators are anticipated to reach 500,000.
Other Southern California host towns announced so far are Long Beach, Thousand Oaks, Calabasas ,Studio City, Manhattan Beach, West Covina, Arcadia, Burbank, Santa Clarita, Palmdale, La Mirada, Glendale, Palm Springs, Santa Maria, Santa Barbara, Irvine, Downey, Whittier, Simi Valley, Fountain Valley, Pasadena and Huntington Beach.
