1,500 Athletes to Compete
USC Quarterback and Heisman Trophy Winner Matt Leinart to
Keynote Breakfast With Champions
June 10 - Opening Ceremonies & Parade of Athletes
June 11 - Breakfast With Champions & Competition Day
June 12 - Competition Day and Closing Ceremonies
LONG BEACH, Calif., June 10, 2005 (PRIMEZONE) -- Special Olympics Southern California (SOSC) will hold its annual Summer Games on June 10, 11 and 12 at California State University, Long Beach (CSU - Long Beach). SOSC provides athletic training and competition for children and adults with intellectual disabilities. Athletes, their coaches and 3,000 volunteers will stage competitions in aquatics, basketball, golf, tennis, bocce and gymnastics. The Summer Games weekend will include the Breakfast with Champions, featuring keynote speaker Matt Leinart, USC Quarterback and Heisman Trophy Winner.
FRIDAY, JUNE 10 - 7 P.M. : OPENING CEREMONIES
The Pyramid, CSU - Long Beach - 1250 Bellflower Blvd., Long Beach. Park in Lot 11 or 14.
Opening Ceremonies includes the Parade of Athletes and the culmination of the 1,500 mile torch relay run by 4,000 participants in 200 Southern California communities.
-- Visuals: Lighting of the Special Olympic Flame by athletes,
performances by Brian Anthony and Los Angeles dance group
Culture Shock.
-- Interviews: Bob Gobrecht, president/CEO, SOSC; athletes and
their coaches participating in the Games.
SATURDAY, JUNE 11 - 9 A.M.: BREAKFAST WITH CHAMPIONS
The Pointe in the Pyramid - CSU - Long Beach - 1250 Bellflower Blvd., Long Beach. Park in Lot 13.
Matt Leinart, USC Quarterback and 2004 Heisman Trophy Winner is Breakfast With Champions keynote speaker. Breakfast honors athletes, their efforts and the Special Olympics movement bringing together sports and business communities to honor extraordinary individual athletes. This year's event will honor Special Olympics athletes who competed at the Winter World Games in Nagano, Japan.
-- Visuals: Matt Leinart speaking to Special Olympics athletes
and their supporters. Winter World Games athletes receiving
special recognition.
-- Interviews: Bob Gobrecht, president/CEO, Special Olympics
Southern California; Matt Leinart (group interviews only,
no one-on-ones); Special Olympics athletes, coaches, supporters.
SATURDAY, JUNE 11 - 8 A.M. - 4 P.M.: COMPETITION DAY
CSU - Long Beach - 1250 Bellflower Blvd., Long Beach. Park in Lot 11 or 14. Golf Competition: Recreation South Golf Course, 5000 E. 7th St., Long Beach
SUNDAY, JUNE 12 - 8 A.M. - 3 P.M.: COMPETITION DAY / CLOSING CEREMONIES
California State University, Long Beach - 1250 Bellflower Blvd., Long Beach. Park in Lot 11 or 14. Closing Ceremonies, 2 p.m. - 3 p.m., Sports Expo Park, California State University, Long Beach
Final competition day. Concludes with Closing Ceremonies highlighted by presentation of Most Inspirational and John West Awards.
-- Visuals: Special Olympics athletes competing in events.
Closing Ceremony festivities.
-- Interviews: Bob Gobrecht, president/CEO, Special Olympics
athletes and coaches.