Special Olympics: a win-win event

Pasadena Star News

By: Cynthia Kurtz

Posted: 7/23/2014

On July 25, 2015, just one year from now, there will be a big kick-off in Southern California for the largest event hosted in Los Angeles since the 1984 Olympic Games - the 2015 Special Olympics World Games.

Over nine days 7,000 athletes from 177 counties will compete in 25 events at 27 venues throughout Southern California. 

Don't for a minute think that this won't be real competition. Over 4.2 million athletes are training and competing in 70,000 events this year with their eyes on landing one of those 7,000 spots in the World Games.

The World Games are held every two years alternating between Summer and Winter Games. The 2013 Games were in Pyeongchang, South Korea and 2011 in Athens, Greece.

Just like the Olympic Games, countries compete for the privilege of hosting. And just like the Olympics, there is a big economic impact not just from the visiting athletes but also from 3,000 coaches, 30,000 volunteers, 5,000 VIP guests, 500,000 spectators and 2,000 media representatives who will come to cheer, coach, report, and enjoy the fun. The LA Tourism and Convention Board commissioned a study that estimated a fiscal impact to the Los Angeles region of $415 million.

Patrick McClenahan is President and Chief Executive Officer for the 2015 Special Olympics World Games. He also served as the Chair of the LA Bid Committee that successfully brought the Games to Los Angeles. 

Mr. McClenahan knows how to put on sporting events. As President and General Manager of CBS2 and KCAL9, he oversaw coverage of over 100 live sporting events per year and has been honored with six Emmy's for his work in sports television.

He also understands how important the World Games are for special athletes having served as Chair of the Board of Directors for Special Olympics of Southern California for the past 11 years.

Mr. McClenahan and his team were recently the guests of the San Gabriel Valley Economic Partnership. They visited the SGV to encourage San Gabriel Valley cities and civic groups to be part of the Host Town Program. They are looking for 100 towns across Southern California to host the athletics for three days before the Games begin.

For many of the athletes this will be their first trip to the U.S.A. The Host Town Program will make sure they get a special welcome and a taste of our California lifestyle. A schedule of cultural and sports activities are being planned by the World Games and Host Towns will also have the opportunity to plan some events for their guests.

The Arcadia Chamber of Commerce and a consortium made-up of the Fairplex, La Verne, Pomona and Claremont have already signed up. Pasadena and Duarte are planning to do the same. I know there will be others.

There are 200 million people worldwide with intellectual disabilities. Too often they are marginalized, misunderstood and even mistreated. During the World Games they will be the stars.

We need more cities, more businesses and more individuals to get involved. If you would like information on the Host Town Program, becoming a sponsor, making a donation, supporting an athlete, or becoming a volunteer, go to www.LA2015.org  or contact me at the Partnership ckurtz@valleyconnect.com.