Hi Everyone!
As most of you know the Special Olympics are here in LA this week and have got off to a flying start! The Opening Ceremony was an occasion that the #TEAMSOGB athletes – and 7,000 other athletes from 177 countries around the World – will never forget.
US President Obama opened the Special Olympics World Games via a video message which included the words: “Special Olympics athletes are a central part of their communities. Where people see limitation, Special Olympics athletes see opportunity.”
First Lady, Michelle Obama, who was there in person added: “Special Olympics is about unity. These World Games are a reflection of that unity and that we are all in this together. We can bring out the best in each other. My husband and I are so proud of you and we cannot wait to see everything you accomplish in the days ahead and in your lives ahead.”
Stevie Wonder, Avril Lavigne, Cody Simpson, Nicole Scherzinger, Jimmy Kimmel, Eva Longoria, Michael Phelps, Yao Ming, Greg Louganis plus many more household names entertained athlete’s at the opening
And we Brits did our part too, with Consul General Chris O’Connor hosting the most incredible pre-World Games red carpet party at his Hancock Park residence for #TEAMSOGB’s 100 plus athletes with learning disabilities and their coaches – plus Audley Harrison, Mark ‘Rhino’ Smith and Nigel Lythgoe who came out to show their support for Special Olympics Great Britain.
The Special Olympics World Games continue through this Sunday 2nd August and feature 25 Olympic-style sports., Competitions have been taking place daily at 27 venues throughout Los Angeles and are all free and open to the public and there’s still time to sign up for tickets to the closing ceremony on Sunday and tickets are FREE! Pick up your tickets from the Festival area of USC or UCLA. We have been told UCLA is easier and has less people! So go along and support this event if you are free.
I made a last-minute trip to the UK this past week and was lucky enough to be invited to Olympic Stadium in Stratford to watch the Sainsbury’s Anniversary Games. There were several Paralympic champions competing from London 2012 as well as two of my favorite gold medal winners Mo Farrah and Usain Bolt. It was my first time seeing the stadium in the ‘flesh’ so it really was quite an exciting adventure. It was very inspiring to see all the athletes behind the scenes, warming up for their events (especially in the rainy windy London weather), and heartwarming to see the support of the fans in the stands means so much. It really does give them that extra boost to help spur them on to do their best. So please do try and make an effort to go along to support the Special Olympic World Games at the closing ceremony on Sunday. I took my three year-old niece along to the Anniversary Games and she said she had the best day ever!
As always, visit us at www.britsin.la if you have any questions.
Go TeamSoGB & TeamUSA!
Cheers!
Eileen
