Special Olympics, by Brian Erickson

Posted by Wes Bradford 
on May 12, 2015
 
Lew Bertrand introduced his friend Brian Erickson, Senior Vice President for Corporate Partnerships of the LA2015 Special Olympics World Games, to be held in Los Angeles this year. He is on loan from Mattel, where he is VP of Sales. The Games Organizing Committee, Inc. (GOC) is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization. Brian showed a short video of past Special Olympics events in other countries.
 
The Special Olympics movement was founded in 1968 by Eunice Kennedy Shriver to promote dignified participation by handicapped participants. It has grown to 4.4 million athletes in 177 countries. With the support of 1.3 million coaches and volunteers, it sponsors 32 Olympic-type sports and more than 81,000 games and competitions worldwide throughout the year.
 
 
The mission of The Special Olympics is to provide year-round sports training and athletic competition in a variety of Olympic-type sports for children and adults with intellectual disabilities, giving them continuing opportunities to develop physical fitness, demonstrate courage, experience joy and participate in a sharing of gifts, skills and friendship with their families, other Special Olympics athletes and the community. The Special Olympics is supported financially by individuals, foundations and corporate partners.
 
The Special Olympics World Games are held every 2 years, alternating between Summer and Winter Games in various countries, analogous to the conventional Olympic Games. This flagship event of the Special Olympics Movement is the largest sporting and humanitarian event on the planet. It promotes equality, acceptance and inclusion for people with intellectual disabilities around the world, embracing unity, achievement and dignity. This year in Los Angeles, July 25-August 2, 7,000 Special Olympics athletes from 177 Countries will participate in 27 Sports, supported by 30,000 Volunteers, 3,000 Coaches, and 500,000 Spectators. California Gov Brown and LA Mayor Garcetti are Co-Hosts, and Pres & Mrs Obama are Honorary Co-Chairs. ESPN will televise the events, starting with the Opening Ceremonies on July 25 at the LA Coliseum. Brian encourages individuals to support an athlete and to attend the events; see http://www.la2015.org/.