One year from today more than 7,000 athletes from 177 countries will march into the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, cheered on by 80,000 spectators as part of the Opening Ceremony for the world’s largest sports and humanitarian event in 2015 – the Special Olympics World Games 2015 (LA2015). The Special Olympics World Games have been held since 1968, founded by Eunice Kennedy Shriver, who had a vision to create a world that is inclusive of all people, including those with intellectual disabilities.

Next year’s Special Olympics World Games are the first to be held in the United States in 16 years, with the World Summer Games most recently hosted in Athens, Shanghai and Dublin. The upcoming Los Angeles World Games will be the largest sporting event hosted by the city since the 1984 Olympic Summer Games. The 2015 Special Olympics World Games, with the unparalleled spirit, enthusiasm, teamwork, joy and displays of courage and skill that are the hallmarks of all Special Olympics events, will feature 25 Olympic-style sports in venues throughout the Los Angeles region. Before any competition begins, 100 host towns from across Southern California will welcome participating athletes with three days of local cultural experiences.

“In 365 days we will have the opportunity to raise the awareness that leads to acceptance and inclusion for 200 million people worldwide with intellectual disabilities,” said Patrick McClenahan, President and Chief Executive Officer of LA2015, the Games Organizing Committee. “There is still much more to do, but momentum is on our side, and these Games will change the lives of people around the world who are mistreated and excluded because they’re ‘different.’”

In addition to the sporting events, the Special Olympics World Games also provide participating athletes with access to the Special Olympics Healthy Athletes program. Through this program, volunteer healthcare professionals will provide free screenings and health services for the athletes on site. To date, the Special Olympics Healthy Athletes program has already resulted in health clinics in 54 new locations and care for more than 11,000 more athletes with intellectual disabilities as well as health education for nearly 10,000 athletes, family members and coaches.

“For athletes like me, the one-year countdown brings the excitement of the competition of the World Games a little closer to reality,” said Debi Anderson, World Games Global Messenger. “The time for all of the athletes to shine and show the world what we can do, will be here before we know it. I can’t wait to join with the American public in welcoming my fellow athletes from around the world.”

Volunteers and supporters are also essential to make the World Games a success. To apply to be one of the 30,000 volunteers for the World Games, please visit: www.LA2015.org/volunteer. To help raise funds to cover costs associated with the visiting athletes, please visit www.support.la2015.org. For more information about the World Games, please visit www.LA2015.org/one-year-away and on social with #TheWorldisComing on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram.

Image courtesy Special Olympics International