CULVER CITY, Calif., June 12, 2002 (PRIMEZONE) -- Over 4,000 athletes, coaches and volunteers from 11 counties are participating in the 33rd Annual Special Olympics Southern California Summer Games at Cal State Long Beach, June 14-16. After training and competing throughout the year, these inspirational athletes will reach the pinnacle of their achievements.
"These athletes are all commendable for the hard work and dedication they put into their training and practice," said Janet Schulman, President & CEO, SOSC. "Many of our athletes train weekends, if not daily, and have proven to be tough competitors in a series of events throughout the year. The Summer Games give Southern California the opportunity to see these athletes shine."
Opening Ceremony
The opening ceremony kick-off event will be on Friday, June 14 at 7 p.m. inside the CSULB Pyramid. This ceremony will be the culmination of the Law Enforcement Torch Run, which begins in San Diego and will involve more than 3,800 law enforcement officers to carry the torch 1,500 miles throughout Southern California.
Other highlights of the ceremony will include a colorful parade of athletes, the police color guard and lots of exciting entertainment. The Summer Games will officially be proclaimed open by Rafer Johnson, the 1960 Olympic Gold medal decathlete who was instrumental in bringing Special Olympics to Southern California.
Competition
Throughout the weekend, athletes will compete in Aquatics, Athletics (Track and Field), Basketball, Bocce, Golf, Gymnastics and Tennis. Medal ceremonies will take place throughout the weekend. Public admission to the events and parking is free.
Spectator Attractions
In addition to watching the competitions, spectators are invited to explore the Sports Expo Park. Here they will find a community fair atmosphere with continuous live entertainment, dancing, sports demos, sports clinics, interactive games and food booths.
Closing Ceremony
The Closing Ceremony will take place at 2 p.m. on Sunday, June 16 at the Sports Expo Park. Here the outstanding athletes of 2002 will be recognized and awards will be presented to the Most Inspirational Athletes of the Summer Games.
Concluding the games in a traditional Olympic pageantry, participants will join together one final time to form the symbolic Circle of Friendship. Rafer Johnson will re-light the Olympic torch as doves are released over Sports Expo Park.
More than 2,000 volunteers from hundreds of Southland companies and service groups will be participating in the weekend's events. Many of these volunteers come from the generous Summer Games supporters, including: Cingular Wireless, Fox Sports Net, California Federal Bank, VONS -- A Safeway Co., Toyota Motor Sales U.S.A., Inc., Durham School Services, Westfield Corporation, Inc., The Lund Foundation and the Mitchell E. Gordon Memorial Fund.
Special Olympics Southern California serves over 13,000 children and adults with mental retardation in an eleven-county region of Southern California. The program offers sports training and competition in 23 individual team sports on a year-round basis. Athletes range in age from eight to eighty. SOSC is one of 52 accredited Special Olympics entities operating in the United States. For more information about about Special Olympics Southern California, please visit www.sosc.org.