As part of the Host Town Program, the city of Santa Maria will welcome and celebrate 100 Special Olympics international athletes and their coaches from July 21 to 24. The delegates—70 from France, 18 from Mauritius, and eight from the Republic of Congo—will arrive on July 21 for the four-day program that allows athletes time to practice, rest, and acclimate to their new environment in California prior to the opening ceremony of the Special Olympics World Games 2015, taking place in Los Angeles July 25 through Aug. 2.
“We have always had great support from the community for our Special Olympics events,” said Cindy Hoskins, marketing and development supervisor for the Santa Maria Recreation and Parks Department. “When we received the announcement that Santa Maria would be a Host Town, the support for ensuring these athletes are welcomed and enjoy events here cost-free has been encouraging.”
One hundred Host Town communities were chosen throughout Southern California. Santa Maria volunteers and city officials will help ensure the visiting athletes and coaches experience a variety of cultural activities unique to the local area while developing relationships with community members. Meal and event sponsors include Coca-Cola, LDS Church, Zodiac Aerospace, Kiwanis Noon Time, Kiwanis Night Time, Aktion Club, Knights of Columbus, Law Enforcement Torch Run, Santa Maria Inn, Radisson of Santa Maria, Pacific Christian Church, McDonald’s, and Rotary Breakfast.
“We have a local organization committee, and, thanks to the response from service groups and businesses, we will really be able to roll out the red carpet for these delegates and make sure they have a great time with us in Santa Maria,” said Special Olympics Southern California Operations Coordinator Rudy Gutierrez.
As the local Host Town co-chair, Gutierrez has been connecting with area service groups and is thrilled at the prospect of playing host to the delegates. It’s a chance to develop lasting friendships with the visiting athletes and a “once in a lifetime opportunity” for most locals, he said.
“These athletes will move on to compete at the highest level in Los Angeles, and it’s our chance to welcome them and make sure they know we support their efforts,” Gutierrez said.
Upon their arrival on July 21, they will be escorted by members of local law enforcement agencies—the California Highway Patrol and the Santa Maria Police Department—from Clark Avenue to the Maldonado Center/City Hall. Welcome receptions will have city officials, community and event sponsors, as well as local law enforcement celebrating their special guests.
Following breakfast on July 22, the athletes will train at Santa Maria High School’s track, pool, and gym before enjoying a fiesta luncheon at the Coca-Cola facility. Later, they will travel to the LDS Church Oak Knolls Center for an all-American dinner and dance. July 23 will hold more of the same for the delegates including training at Santa Maria High School and a send-off dinner. The fun continues into the evening with games and activities at Boomers.
It will be a bittersweet farewell for the athletes and their new friends from Santa Maria as they enjoy breakfast together July 24 before departing for the USC/UCLA Athlete Village. Send-off bags will be distributed and law enforcement will once again provide an escort through the streets of the city to Highway 101.
According to the Special Olympics World Games 2015 website, LA2015.org, there will be 7,000 athletes and 3,000 coaches representing 177 countries at the Los Angeles event. With the help of 40,000 volunteers, it’s expected that 500,000 spectators will cheer on the athletes as they compete in 27 sporting events.
For more information on donating time, resources, or making a financial contribution, call the City of Santa Maria offices at 925-0951, Ext 260, and ask for Special Olympics organizers.
Sun contributor Meagan Friberg can be reached through interim Editor Camillia Lanham at clanham@santamariasun.com.
This article appears in Jun 18-25, 2015.