1. sports
2. olympics

SPECTATOR
GUIDE
TABLE OF CONTENTS
ABOUT SPECIAL OLYMPICS
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ABOUT WORLD GAMES
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LA2015 WORLD GAMES MISSION & LOGO
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SPECTATORS' INFORMATION
Hours of Operations
Disclaimer
ADA accessibility
Tips
What Not To Bring!
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AVAILABLE RESOURCES5
ATM’s
Concessions
Bathrooms
Medical
SPECTATOR SERVICES
Information Booths
Language Interpretation
Lost & Found
Wayfinders
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SPECTATOR SERVICES
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TRANSPORTATION7
Parking
Public Transportation
WORLD GAMES EVENTS & PROGRAMS
Unified Relay Across America presented by Bank of America
The Law Enforcement Torch Run (LETR)
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FESTIVALS & ENTERTAINMENT
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UNIFIED SPORTS EXPERIENCES
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OPENING AND CLOSING CEREMONIES
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ABOUT SPECIAL OLYMPICS
Special Olympics is a global movement that unleashes the human spirit through the transformative
power and joy of sports, every day around the world. We empower people with intellectual disabilities
to become accepted and valued members of their communities, which leads to a more respectful and
inclusive society for all. Using sports as the catalyst and programming around health and education,
Special Olympics is fighting inactivity, injustice and intolerance. Founded in 1968 by Eunice Kennedy
Shriver, the Special Olympics movement has grown to more than 4.4 million athletes in
170 countries.
With the support of more than 1.3 million coaches and volunteers, Special Olympics delivers 32 Olympictype sports and more than 81,000 games and competitions throughout the year. Visit Special Olympics
at www.specialolympics.org.
ABOUT THE WORLD GAMES
With 7,000 athletes and 3,000 coaches representing 177 countries, along with 30,000 volunteers and an
anticipated 500,000 spectators, the 2015 Special Olympics World Games - being staged in Los Angeles
July 25 - August 2, 2015 - will be the largest sports and humanitarian event anywhere in the world in
2015, and the single biggest event in Los Angeles since the 1984 Olympic Games. The 2015 Special
Olympics World Games, with the unparalleled spirit, enthusiasm, teamwork, joy and displays
of courage
and skill that are hallmarks of all Special Olympics events, will feature 25 Olympic-style sports in venues
throughout the Los Angeles region.
LA2015 WORLD GAMES MISSION & LOGO
The Mission of these World Games is to create the awareness that leads to acceptance and inclusion
of all people with intellectual disabilities, which is embodied in the LA2015 logo: At the center of the logo is the Celebratory Figure representing the courage,
determination and joy of Special Olympics athletes. The Celebratory Pose is a
universal expression of praise, enthusiasm and celebration. The Celebratory Figure is inside the Circle of Acceptance and
inclusion, the
overall mission of these World Games...creating the
awareness that leads to
acceptance and inclusion of all people with intellectual disabilities. And the colorful Mosaic represents the diversity of 177 countries coming to the
diverse market of Los Angeles and the opportunity to share this mission of acceptance and inclusion
with every corner of this region. 3
SPECTATORS' INFORMATION
Hours of Operation
Special Olympics World Games will be held over 9 days from July 25 – August 2, 2015 in venues
across Los Angeles from Long Beach to Griffith Park. All competition venues will be open one hour
before competition begins and will close immediately following the end of competition. To find specific
competition times for each Hub please refer to the competition schedule by clicking here.
Click here or http://www.la2015.org/sports for information on Sport.
Click here or http://www.la2015.org/venues/ for information on Venues.
Disclaimer: Please Make Note
BY ENTERING ANY VENUE, YOU CONSENT TO BE FILMED, PHOTOGRAPHED AND/OR OTHERWISE
RECORDED. YOUR ENTRY CONSTITUTES FULL CONSENT TO USE YOUR VOICE, NAME, AND/OR
LIKENESS, WITHOUT COMPENSATION, IN ANY RECORDINGS FOR EXPLOITATION IN ANY AND ALL
MEDIA, WHETHER NOW KNOWN OR HEREAFTER DEVISED, THROUGHOUT THE UNIVERSE AND IN
PERPETUITY. YOU UNDERSTAND THAT PHOTOGRAPHY, FILMING AND/OR RECORDING WILL BE
DONE IN RELIANCE ON THIS CONSENT GIVEN BY YOU BY ENTERING ANY VENUE.
ADA Accessibility
ADA accessibility will be provided at all venues. ADA bathrooms, ramps, elevators, and parking is
available at all venues. See the venues section online for more specific information, click here.
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AVAILABLE RESOURCES
Tips on Attending the Games!
• Arrive one hour before competition starts
• Don’t forget sunscreen
• Use the free mobile app “LA2015” to get
around and also to stay updated on The
World Games
• Drink plenty of water to avoid dehydration
• During the Games, tune into ESPN daily as
they are the official broadcast partner of the
World Games (30 minute segments will air
every evening at 7pm PST)
• Check out the weather forecast before you
leave for the Games and dress appropriately.
• Come in comfortable footwear
• U.S. Dollars and all major credit cards are
accepted at all venues
• Check the transportation routes and plan ahead
of time
• The competitions are free to the public with the
exclusion of the Opening Ceremony.
• We encourage you to post to social media
using the following handle @LA2015 and
hashtags #LA2015 #ReachUpLA
What Not to Bring!
• Drugs/alcohol (no alcohol will be served at
Special Olympics events)
• Horns or other noisemakers, musical
instruments or large music players
• Animals (except assistive animals)
• Frisbees, balls
• Fireworks
• Signs, posters, placards or banners exceeding
(30” by 36”) inches in size or handles or
supports may not exceed ¼” thickness, ¾”
width, and 18” in length – WOOD HANDLES
ONLY
• Firearms
• Weapons, knives and explosives
• Pop-up tents inside of venues
• Tobacco use is not permitted at any location
including cigarettes, cigars, pipes and smokeless products
• Professional cameras, (lenses longer than 3”)
or video and/or audio recording equipment
• Hard or soft sided coolers of any size
• Skateboards, roller skates and rollerblades
• Outside food and drink (with exception to a
reasonable amount of water)
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SPECTATOR SERVICES
ATM's
ATM’s can be found at the following venues; Belmont Pier, LACC, LA Live, LA Equestrian Center, UCLA
and USC.
Concessions
Concessions are located near every venue and will serve a wide variety of food and beverage products.
All concessions will take both cash (US Currency) and all major credit cards.
Bathrooms
There will be bathrooms available at or near every venue and they will be ADA accessible.
Medical
In the event of an emergency, contact any uniformed World Games volunteer or staff in order to
expedite medical assistance. Spectator First Aid tents are displayed on the Spectator Maps located
online and via the LA2015 mobile app.
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SPECTATOR SERVICES
Information Booths
Information booths will be located near every venue. Information
booth locations can be located on the Spectator Maps found
online. Information Booths will be in place for all Spectators to ask
questions regarding the Games.
Language Interpretation
Interpretation help is available. Assistance can be requested from
any information booth, World Games volunteer or staff member.
Lost & Found
Any lost and found items should be submitted to the information
booths at each venue. For any questions regarding lost and
found items during the entirety of the Games, please go to any
information booth.
Wayfinders
Wayfinders will be volunteers that assist spectators and other
guests with finding venues and providing general event
information. They can be identified by the bright yellow foam hands.
TRANSPORTATION
Parking
Spectators can park on site at venues for a daily fee. Fees for parking vary from venue to venue. To
avoid paying a parking fee we encourage spectators to use public transportation.
Public Transportation
There are two public transportation systems within LA for buses and trains. Please visit the websites
below for more information on station locations, schedules and costs.
• www.metro.net
• www.metrolinktrains.com
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WORLD GAMES EVENTS & PROGRAMS
Unified Relay Across America presented by Bank of America
The Unified Relay Across America started on May 26, where the Flame
of Hope was split into three simultaneous routes. Each flame started
its individual journey from three points and will travel west where all
three routes will become unified in Los Angeles on July 10. Take part by
registering as an individual or as a team of torchbearers for a half-mile walk
or run segment or a five-mile bike segment in an area of interest across the
United States. Join in the fun and register today at www.UnifiedRelay.org
The Law Enforcement Torch Run® (LETR) Final Leg for the 2015
Special Olympics World Games
The LETR for Special Olympics is the Special Olympics Movement's
largest grass-roots fundraiser and public awareness vehicle. To
continue the journey of the Flame of Hope, the Unified Relay Across
America will end on July 10, and on July 13 the torch will be passed
on to the LETR Final Leg Team, which will carry the torch throughout
California for 13 days culminating with the lighting of the ceremonial
cauldron during the Opening Ceremony in the Los Angeles Memorial
Coliseum on July 25.
Cheer on the Final
Leg team as they carry
the torch throughout
California. Learn more
and get involved at
LETR-finalleg.org.
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FESTIVALS & ENTERTAINMENT
The Special Olympics World Games Festivals will be located at both UCLA and USC. The Festivals will
serve as a central focal point at both campuses for spectators and athletes. The programming of the
Festivals will be athlete-focused allowing them the opportunity to participate in activities during their
down time when not competing. Athletes, family members and spectators converge in these festive
environments for interactive and entertaining events that include live musical performances, cultural
education and demonstrations, interactive technology and gaming, sponsor activations, great food and
family-friendly activities. Enthusiastic fans will meet Special Olympics Athletes from an array of cultural
and sporting backgrounds while also participating in fan engagement opportunities that send messages
of support and encouragement to the competing athletes. Art installations and activities as diverse as
the cultural landscape of Los Angeles insure that there is something for everyone. The festivals are free
and open to the public daily.
At UCLA, the Festival will be located at Wilson Plaza (see spectator map). At USC, the Festival will be
located at Alumni Park (see spectator map). Learn more about the Festivals and the see the calendar of
events by clicking here.
Hours of Operation
July 25 & August 2: 10:00 am – 12:00 pm
|
July 26 – August 1: 10:00 am – 9:00 pm
UNIFIED SPORTS EXPERIENCES
Special Olympics Unified Sports Experiences
(USE) bring together Special Olympics
athletes, professional and Olympic athletes,
dignitaries and celebrities for participation
in a competitive environment. The purpose
of this event is to showcase the talents and
abilities of Special Olympics athletes, while
simultaneously providing an opportunity to
raise much-needed awareness and funds
for Special Olympics. Click here for more
information.
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OPENING AND CLOSING CEREMONIES
Opening Ceremony
When: Saturday, July 25th
Where: Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum
Gates Open: 3:00 pm PST
Show Starts: 5:00 pm PST
The star-studded event will celebrate the true stars of the World Games the athletes of Special Olympics
with exciting entertainment, the Parade of Athletes and the culmination of the Final Leg of the Law
Enforcement Torch Run® and lighting of the Special Olympics cauldron. Televised LIVE and broadcast
internationally by ESPN, fans around the world will be able to participate in this memorable start to the
World Games! The Opening Ceremony will be a ticketed event.
Click here for more information.
Important Note: We encourage all spectators to use public transportation for this event as parking will
be extremely limited in the area. Purchase your tickets to Opening Ceremony today!
Closing Ceremony
When: Sunday, August 2
Where: Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum
To close out the World Games on Sunday, August 2, Closing Ceremony will also be held at the Los
Angeles Memorial Coliseum. The final festivities will pay tribute to the athletes, families, coaches,
volunteers and supporters who have come together for a successful and inspirational event. World-class
entertainers and celebrities will headline the celebration.
Click here for more information.
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