LOS ANGELES (CNS) — The Los Angeles City Council has agreed to contribute $250,000 to the organizers of the 2015 Special Olympics World Games.
If approved by the mayor, the funds from the Department of Recreation and Parks would be on top of staffing support the city provided during the planning stages.
The Special Olympics for athletes with intellectual disabilities, set for July 25-Aug. 2, is billed as the biggest single event to be held in Los Angeles since the 1984 Olympic Games.
In addition to the athletes, the 10-day event will involve 30,000 volunteers, 3,000 coaches and 500,000 spectators.
On July 22, at 10:40 a.m., the Flame of Hope — official torch for the Special Olympics World Games — will be carried for the first time ever through the City of San Fernando along San Fernando Road between San Fernando Mission Boulevard and Wolfskill Street.
It will be followed by a ceremony at 11 a.m. at Recreation Park, at 208 Park Avenue, in San Fernando. Speakeers at the ceremony include San Fernando Mayor Joel Fajardo, San Fernando Chief of Police Anthony Vairo and Special Olympic athlete and Final Leg runner Cody Pierce from Pittsburg, Kansas.