The San Diego Point Loma Host Town will host athletes from Albania, Burkina Faso and Finland as they prepare for the Special Olympics World Games Los Angeles 2015 (LA2015)
San Diego, Calif., July 20, 2015 – In less than 24 hours, PLNU will welcome 177 athletes and delegates to the San Diego campus in conjunction with the Special Olympics World Games Los Angeles 2015 (LA2015) which begins on July 25, 2015.
In advance of Saturday’s Opening Ceremonies, more than 7,000 athletes from 177 countries will be welcomed to Southern California through the Host Town program. One hundred communities have the honor of being selected as an official Host Town, including seven in San Diego County. The San Diego Point Loma Host Town, under the leadership of Dr. Jim Johnson from PLNU and Mr. Michael Perry, Founder and former CEO of San Diego Trust Bank, will welcome athletes from Albania, Burkina Faso, and Finland for three days to prepare for the games. The university, through generous support of Geico San Diego and numerous individual donors, will provide housing, meals, and entertainment while in San Diego.
“PLNU has a long history of support for our local Special Olympics athletes and we consider it an honor to host each athlete as they remind us what true courage, joy and determination looks like,” said PLNU President, Dr. Bob Brower. For the past 22 years, the Special Olympics Regional Track Meet has taken place on the track at PLNU, making the university a natural partner for the LA2015 Host Town program.
During the athletes’ time on campus, PLNU will provide a variety of host responsibilities and services, from meals and lodging, to volunteer buddies for athletes while on and off campus. On Wednesday, July 22nd, multiple San Diego Host Towns will meet for an afternoon at the San Diego Zoo followed by a welcome dinner on PLNU’s campus for the San Diego Point Loma Host Town. Thursday evening the San Diego Padres will host all 1500 athletes and sponsors in the San Diego Host Town delegations for an evening at the ballpark as they take on the Miami Marlins. Athletes and sponsors will be on hand to throw out honorary first pitches along with a parade of athletes during the pre-game ceremony as the entire San Diego region celebrates the inclusion and spirit of LA2105.
Athletes will depart from PLNU on Friday morning to continue their journey to north LA2015. It’s not too late to get involved. If you would like to volunteer with the San Diego Point Loma Host Town, please call (619) 849-2298 or email PublicAffairs@pointloma.edu. Donations in any amount are greatly apprecaite and can be made online to the LA2015 Host Town program.
