USC, UCLA hosting Special Olympics athletes

EXPOSITION PARK, LOS ANGELES (KABC) -- The University of Southern California and University of California, Los Angeles are hosting thousands of Special Olympics athletes.

USC is feeding and housing more than 6,000 people, including athletes, assistants and coaches. Every dorm room on campus will be utilized.

"I know that everybody on this campus is very proud to have the Special Olympics coming. We're very excited about it," said Carol Dougherty of USC.

Many of the athletes are staying in the same facilities that housed athletes during the 1984 Summer Games.

Across town, UCLA is housing 3,500 people and serving 110,000 meals. The school will host eight events, including gymnastics and volleyball at Pauley Pavilion, football at Drake Stadium and tennis at the L.A. Tennis Center.

"For the university, this is an investment in what we believe in," said Mike Deluca, UCLA's assistant vice chancellor.

USC's campus is hosting several competitions including basketball, swimming and track and field, known as athletics. Extra bleachers are in place for these free events.

"We want to have as many people in the stands cheering on our athletes as they're crossing the finish line. It's really all about inclusion and showing how we support them," said Matt Holt, LA2015 assistant general manager, USC.