2015 Special Olympics World Games Celebrates '100 Days Away'

100 days from today, more than 7,000 athletes from 177 countries will assemble in Los Angeles on Saturday, July 25, for the start of the 2015 Special Olympics World Games, the first time in 16 years that the United States has hosted the summer edition of the World Games. The World Games will be the largest sports and humanitarian event anywhere in the world in this year, and the single biggest event in Los Angeles since the 1984 Olympic Games, with more than 500,000 spectators expected to cheer on the global competitors.

To commemorate this significant milestone and begin the countdown to the Opening Ceremony at the historic Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum - the same venue that hosted both the 1932 and 1984 Olympic Games - the LA2015 Games Organizing Committee is unveiling the World Games medals and distinction ribbons. To celebrate this occasion, Special Olympics athletes and Olympic champions are gathering today at the LA84 Foundation headquarters, featuring Olympic gold medalists with a combined number of 10 gold medals including Julie Foudy (two gold medals in women's soccer), Greg Louganis (four gold medals in diving) and John Naber (four gold medals in swimming). Additional speakers include former Los Angeles Mayor and LA2015 board member, Antonio Villaraigosa, LA84 President and two-time Olympian, Anita L. DeFrantz, and LA2015 President and CEO, Patrick McClenahan.

"Today is an exciting moment as in just 100 days, Los Angeles will welcome athletes from around the world as they strive to be the best that they can be with courage, determination and joy," said Patrick McClenahan. "I know Los Angeles and all of Southern California will cheer on these incredible athletes at this once-in-a-lifetime event."

The World Games gold, silver and bronze medals and distinction ribbons featuring the 19 colors of the World Games Logo will be given out to athletes competing in their respective sports. More than 15,000 medals and 15,000 distinction ribbons will be produced for the Games by MTM Recognition of Oklahoma City, a long-standing partner of Special Olympics.

Additional 100 Days Away celebrations include:

• Local events in World Games Host Towns, where athletes from around the world will be welcomed for three days prior to the World Games to more than 100+ Southern California communities from San Luis Obispo to San Diego;
• "Circle of Inclusion" photo opportunities and social media sharing @LA2015 #ReachUpLA; consumers can also download the just released World Games App, including a Circle of Inclusion filter from the Apple Store or Google Play;
• Lighting of the Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) Pylons in the World Games colors at sunset, around 7:25 pm;
• Lighting of the Pacific Wheel Ferris wheel in the World Games colors at Pacific Park on the Santa Monica Pier, the world's only solar-powered Ferris wheel standing 130 feet above the Pacific Ocean, from sunset to midnight.

The World Games will be hosted for nine days from July 25-August 2 and feature 25 Olympic-type sports: Aquatics, Athletics, Badminton, Basketball, Bocce, Bowling, Cycling, Equestrian, Football, Golf, Gymnastics, Half Marathon, Handball, Judo, Kayaking, Open Water Swimming, Powerlifting, Roller Skating, Sailing, Softball, Table Tennis, Tennis, Triathlon, Volleyball, and Beach Volleyball. These Games will showcase the unlimited potential of people with intellectual disabilities - the largest disability population in the world.

The Opening Ceremony will take place at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on Saturday, July 25, 2015 and will be televised to a worldwide audience by ESPN. To learn more, visit LA2015.org. For volunteer information, including becoming a Fan in the Stands, visit LA2015.org/volunteer/fans-in-the-stands.

About the Special Olympics World Games Los Angeles 2015 (LA2015)

With 7,000 athletes and 3,000 coaches representing 177 countries, along with 30,000 volunteers and an anticipated 500,000 spectators, the 2015 Special Olympics World Games - being staged in Los Angeles July 25 - August 2, 2015 - will be the largest sports and humanitarian event anywhere in the world in 2015, and the single biggest event in Los Angeles since the 1984 Olympic Games. The 2015 Special Olympics World Games, with the unparalleled spirit, enthusiasm, teamwork, joy and displays of courage and skill that are hallmarks of all Special Olympics events, will feature 25 Olympic-style sports in venues throughout the Los Angeles region. The Opening Ceremony, to be held July 25, 2015 in the historic Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, site of the 1932 and 1984 Olympic Games, is expected to attract 80,000 spectators. On April 30, 2014, LA2015 and ESPN announced a global programming deal that will see ESPN bring coverage of World Games to millions of fans around the world. Honorary Chairs of the Games are President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama, with Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti and California Governor Jerry Brown serving as Honorary Hosts. Current Founding Champions and sponsors include The Coca-Cola Company, Mattel, Deloitte, Toyota, Bank of America, Kaiser Permanente, OUE Skyspace Los Angeles, Davis Elen Advertising, Microsoft, Toys"R"Us, The Walt Disney Company, Google, UPS, Los Angeles Times, AMC Theaters, La Opinión, Los Angeles Tourism and Convention Board, WWE, AEG, Annenberg Foundation, David Geffen, Kate Capshaw and Steven Spielberg, Panda Express, and Knights of Columbus. LA2015, the Games Organizing Committee, is a recognized 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. For more information on the 2015 Special Olympics World Games, including volunteer and sponsorship opportunities, visit www.LA2015.org and on social with #ReachUpLA on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

About Special Olympics

Special Olympics is a global movement that unleashes the human spirit through the transformative power and joy of sports, every day around the world. We empower people with intellectual disabilities to become accepted and valued members of their communities, which leads to a more respectful and inclusive society for all. Using sports as the catalyst and programming around health and education, Special Olympics is fighting inactivity, injustice and intolerance. Founded in 1968 by Eunice Kennedy Shriver, the Special Olympics movement has grown to more than 4.4 million athletes in 170 countries. With the support of more than 1.3 million coaches and volunteers, Special Olympics delivers 32 Olympic-type sports and more than 81,000 games and competitions throughout the year. Special Olympics is supported by individuals, foundations and partners, including the Christmas Records Trust, the Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics, The Coca-Cola Company, The Walt Disney Company and ESPN, Lions Clubs International, Mattel, Microsoft, P&G, Bank of America, Essilor Vision Foundation, the B. Thomas Golisano Foundation, Finish Line, The Safeway Foundation, and Safilo Group. Visit Special Olympics at www.specialolympics.org. Engage with us on: Twitter @specialolympics; fb.com/specialolympics; youtube.com/specialolympicshq; instagram.com/specialolympics and specialolympicsblog.wordpress.com.

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