Mountain Views News          Saturday, July 25, 2015

5 Mountain Views-News Saturday, July 25, 2015 AROUND SAN GABRIEL VALLEY 5 Mountain Views-News Saturday, July 25, 2015 AROUND SAN GABRIEL VALLEY 
SPECIAL OLYMPICS WORLD GAMES 2015 COME TO LOS ANGELES 


In Duarte, athletes 
from South Africa 
“What’s Going On?”

News and Views from Joan Schmidt 


On the 

day this paper 

goes to print-

July 25- the 

2015 Special 

Olympics 

World Games 

will begin! 

The Games 

will last from 
July 25-August 2 with 7000 athletes and 
3000 coaches from 177 countries. From the 
time of arrival until departure, some 30,000 
volunteers will have assisted in so many 
activities! Special Olympic World Games 
2015 is the largest sports-and-humanitarian 
event anywhere in the world and the biggest 
event in Los Angeles since the 1984 Olympic 
Games! 

Last year I learned about the wonderful 
“Host Town” program, a special 3-day 
event that takes place prior to the Opening 
Ceremony of the Games. Delegations of 
athletes from around the world are welcomed 
and celebrated by 100 Host Towns from San 
Luis Obispo to San Diego. While in their 
“Host Town”, the athletes train and become 
part of a community while learning about its 
culture and visiting special local attractions/
sites.

 Yesterday morning I went to the Arcadia 
HS Football Field as the AUSD welcomed 
Athletes from Trinidad and Tobago and 
Kyrgyz Republic. At one end of the Field 
was an inflatable tunnel which the athletes 
walked through. The Arcadia High Band, 
Cheerleading Squad, and many students 
seated in the bleachers waving banners of 
encouragement, gave a rousing welcome as 
each group arrived. Holly Avenue Students 
made an individual greeting picture for each 
athlete with a special hand-written message. 
After their special welcome and photos, the 
athletes went to practice. The Olympians 
were the FIRST to use the newly renovated 
swimming pool. Lunch was at Wilderness 
Park (Thank you, former Mayor George 
Fasching) and dinner provided by Matt 
and Denny’s. I was THRILLED to meet 
basketball, track and volleyball players! 

enjoyed lunch and a 
tour of the City of Hope. Duarte teamed with 
Azusa and Glendora to be a “Host Town”. 
Azusa Pacific University facilities were used 
for lodging/practice. 

So many cities and their residents had 
the opportunity of a lifetime- to welcome 
athletes from all over the world, share 
their culture and make lifelong friends. 
Claremont’s Corey Calaycay posted photos 
of their athletes from Bolivia, Republic of 
Georgia, Latvia, and Curacao. Pomona 
College facilities were utilized.

Some of the other “Host” cities included 
San Diego who hosted Bulgaria and 
Finland; Glendale, the Dominican 
Republic and Bonaire; Manhattan Beach, 
Hungary; Hacienda Heights, Chinese 
Taipei; South Pasadena, Morocco and 
Paraguay; Pasadena, Namibia, Tanzania 
and Singapore; Alhambra, Monterey Park 
and Lincoln Heights, Germany; La Mirada, 
Russia; La Verne, Pakistan and US Virgin 
Islands; Whittier, Macao; West Covina, 
Japan; and La Habra, Lithuania, Myanmar, 
Norway. (Biola University provided housing 
for Whittier and La Mirada. 

Throughout the three days, various cities 
posted on their Web sites, different activities/
events where the public could meet the 
athletes such as parades. I am really looking 
forward to watch the games on TV-this is a 
really exciting time. 

Most importantly we should think of 
the late Eunice Kennedy Shriver and her 
vision. Special Olympics began in 1968-a 
movement of only a few hundred athletes- 
has grown to more than 4 million in 170 
countries. Special Olympics addresses 
inactivity, injustice, intolerance and social 
isolation by encouraging people with 
intellectual disabilities. This leads to a more 
welcoming and inclusive society. Thank you, 
Mrs. Shriver and all the hard workers and 
volunteers who believe these individuals 
with special needs are truly very special 
people. 


Mountain Views News 80 W Sierra Madre Blvd. No. 327 Sierra Madre, Ca. 91024 Office: 626.355.2737 Fax: 626.609.3285 Email: editor@mtnviewsnews.com Website: www.mtnviewsnews.com