Special Olympics Opening Ceremony Inspires Fans And Athletes
Crowds gather to welcome athletes, see performances and celebrate inclusion.
Just a few weeks ago, Special Olympics athlete Hannah Hall, 16, was helping to carry the World Games’ Flame of Hope through her home state of Colorado. Now she was in the stands at the historic Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, grooving to music courtesy of Mix Master Mike from the Beastie Boys.
For her mom, Shelly Hall, the best moment of the Special Olympics Opening Ceremony was at the end, when the flaming torch made its way up the ceremonial red carpet to the Special Olympics cauldron. Her daughter, who plays basketball, wasn’t competing in the World Games, but the family made the trip to witness the nine-day event, which celebrates the achievements of people with intellectual disabilities.
“I liked the torch,” Hall said. “It involved so many people and groups and communities in every state. That moment felt empowering. It was the unifying end to it.
Special Olympic athlete Hannah Hall, 16, surrounded by family and friends at the July 25 World Games Opening Ceremony.
There was something for everybody at the star-studded Opening Ceremony on July 25, which drew more than 60,000 fans who gave an exuberant welcome to the 6,500 participating athletes and their coaches that descended on the City of Angels from 165 countries for the world’s largest sporting and humanitarian event this year.
Luminaries celebrating the commencement of the World Games included First Lady Michelle Obama, Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti, Special Olympics Chairman Tim Shriver, comedian Jimmy Kimmel, Good Morning America’s Robin Roberts and actresses Lauren Potter and Eva Longoria. The list of entertainers was equally impressive: Stevie Wonder, Cody Simpson and Avril Lavigne headlined the three-hour event, which also featured pop singer Nicole Scherzinger, rock band O.A.R., Latin superstar J Balvin, country singer Cassadee Pope, and Grammy-winning singer-songwriter Siedah Garrett, who wrote the Games “Reach Up LA” theme song.
Special Olympics athlete Justin King, who is competing with Canada’s soccer team, said he loved the high-energy event.
“It was fun,” King said.
Produced by FiveCurrents, the creative team behind the opening ceremonies of the Sochi 2014 and London 2012 Olympic Games, the sold-out Opening Ceremony was directed by Emmy Award-winner Debbie Allen.
Los Angeles resident Adrienne Thompson said the evening’s closing dance performance, featuring dozens of young people waving colorful flags as they moved, was a memorable moment.
“It created such an environment of harmony,” Thompson said. “I think it brought everyone together in that moment.”
Her son, Roman Thompson, said the speeches made an impact on him, particularly Mayor Garcetti, who spoke about the diversity of Los Angeles and the way the Games’ unifying spirit helped people to “know what it feels like to be one single human family.”
“He just dropped quote after quote,” Roman Thompson said.
Fellow Los Angeles resident Stacy Hundleys liked hearing from Maria Shriver, the daughter of Eunice Kennedy Shriver, the founder of the Special Olympics.
“[My mom] was so proud of you and wanted more than anything for you to be respected, valued, appreciated for who you are,” Shriver said to the athletes.
Olympic legends Greg Louganis, Michael Phelps and Michelle Kwan helped fete their Special Olympic peers by carrying in the Special Olympics flag.
The evening ended with an explosion of fireworks filling the night sky.
After the event, Slava Sidorenko, 27, from Kazakhstan, waited with teammates for a bus back to their hotel. This is the gymnast’s first World Games — and his only time on an airplane. He spoke through an interpreter but his lingering excitement needed no translation.
“He likes the fireworks and also the concert,” the interpreter said. “He says it was very beautiful.”
Lalfakzuala Thanghmingliana, 21, a soccer player from India, was similarly delighted.
“The ceremony was great,” he said, smiling as he paused. “This is the best day.”
To find out more about attending the Special Olympic World Games, visit LA2015.org/schedule.
