2015 Special Olympics Have New Home in L.A.
Video by Allen Tian
A ribbon-cutting ceremony was held in Downtown L.A. to celebrate the opening of the new headquarters of the 2015 Special Olympic Games.
Donated by the Overseas Union Enterprise, the two-floor office located in the U.S. Bank Tower. Former Decathlon gold medalist Rafer Johnson, member of the Games Organizing Committee, council member of the Council District 4 and Richard Stockton, CEO of OUE Limited, were present at the Oct. 7 celebration.
“We are at our best when we take advantage of opportunity like this, to show people that this is a good place to be,” said Johnson.
More than 7,000 athletes, 3,000 coaches, 30,000 volunteers and 500,000 spectators will be in L.A. during the games, which means a lot for the city’s economy. Stockton says he believes the 2015 Special Olympic Games stand for the “renaissance and recovery of Los Angeles’ Economy.”
Steven Vanderpool, senior vice president for communication of the Games Organizing Committee, sees more than just economic benefits.
“Many people don’t understand the value of people without disabilities," said Vanderpool. "And our goal is to change that perception. Not only to leave a legacy for that but leaves a legacy for Special Olympics in Southern California. ”
The Special Olympics World Games will be hosted in Los Angeles on July 25, 2015.
Do you know when the lights on the bank tower are going back to the normal white color