Eye on L.A. checks out the Special Olympics

LOS ANGELES (KABC) -- The largest sports and humanitarian event in the world is taking over Los Angeles with the 2015 Special Olympics World Games. It's the largest event hosted by Los Angeles since the 1984 Olympic Games! Kicking off on July 25, at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, the Special Olympics continue through Aug. 2 at World Games venues, including Special Olympics Athlete Villages at USC and UCLA as well as various locations in Downtown, Encino, Griffith Park, and Long Beach.

Eye on L.A.'s Tina Malave shows you why you'll want to get out to the events this week to cheer on these amazing athletes! With 7,000 athletes representing 177 countries and participating in 25 different sports, the Special Olympics World Games is an event you don't want to miss!

HISTORY

Founded in 1968 by Eunice Kennedy Shriver, the Special Olympics allows people with intellectual disabilities to come together, empower one another, demonstrate courage, and experience joy. Every four years, since 1968, the Special Olympics continuously impacts the lives of athletes and families all over the world. It has delivered 32 Olympic-type sports and more than 81,000 games and competitions throughout the year with the support of more than 1.3 million coaches and volunteers.

CHEERLEADERS

For the first time ever, the Special Olympics World Games is going to have cheerleading! More than 200 cheerleaders, ranging from ages 6 to 42, will pump up the crowd. They've come all over the country just for this moment. Four different teams will cheer on athletes in and around Los Angeles, including UCLA. These cheerleaders are making history as the first to ever participate in the Special Olympics World Games so you definitely don't want to miss seeing them in action!

For more information about these amazing cheerleaders visit, www.la2015.org/cheer-for-la2015

MISS AMAZING

Another "amazing" event happening this week is the Miss Amazing Pageant. Featuring girls and women with disabilities, the pageant was created to help build confidence and self-esteem. One hundred Miss Amazing state queens are making their way from across the U.S. to share their talents in the Los Angeles pageant.

Talent Shows

July 27, 2015

UCLA- Freud Playhouse

2:00 PM: Preteen, Jr. Teen & Teen

6:00 PM: Jr. Miss, Miss & Sr. Miss

Final Shows

July 28, 2015

UCLA- Freud Playhouse

12:00 PM: Preteen, Jr. Teen & Teen

6:00 PM: Jr. Miss, Miss & Sr. Miss

For more information visit www.la2015.org/miss-amazing-pageant

For more about the 2015 Special Olympics World Games: www.la2015.org

Special Olympics World Games schedule: www.la2015.org/schedule

Special Olympics World Games venues from Encino to Long Beach: www.la2015.org/venues

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