It’s official: Downey becomes Special Olympics host city

DOWNEY – A press conference was held Wednesday to officially announce Downey as a host city for the 2015 Special Olympics World Games. As a host city, Downey will provide meals, accommodations, and training facilities for approximately 100 Special Olympic athletes next summer.

“We are honored and excited to be part of the Host Town program for the 2015 Special Olympics World Games in Los Angeles,” said Mayor Fernando Vasquez. “As an official Host Town, Downey is thrilled to welcome these amazing athletes to our city and we look forward to sharing all of the wonderful things that make our community so special.”

Several local organizations and community members will be partnering up with the city to welcome the Special Olympics athletes. Some of the confirmed community organizations include Coca-Cola, Kaiser Permanente, Downey Chamber of Commerce, Downey Family YMCA, Kiwanis and numerous Soroptimist groups.

“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.”

Before the World Games begin on July 25, 2015, more than 7,000 athletes from 177 countries will be welcomed to Southern California through the Host Town program.

One hundred communities from San Luis Obispo to San Diego will be selected as an official Host Town.

As a Host Town, Downey will be offering a warm welcome to participating athletes by engaging them in a variety of special events and activities that showcase the community.

Downey joins the growing list of officially proclaimed Host Towns, which includes Long Beach, Thousand Oaks, Calabasas, Studio City, West Covina, Manhattan Beach, Arcadia, Burbank, Palmdale, La Mirada, Santa Clarita and Palm Springs. More Host Town selections will be announced in the coming weeks.

The 2015 Special Olympics World Games will feature 25 Olympic-style sports in venues throughout the Los Angeles region.

The Opening Ceremony, to be held July 25, 2015 in the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, site of the 1932 and 1984 Olympic Games, and is expected to attract 80,000 spectators.

**********

Published: Aug. 21, 2014 - Volume 13 - Issue 19