Special Olympics bowling athletes compete at Lucky Strike

LOS ANGELES (KABC) -- It was a packed house at Lucky Strike bowling alley in downtown Los Angeles Thursday as Special Olympics athletes from around the world tried to bowl their way to World Games gold.

"We have a lot of athletes out here who are competing on a world stage - some for their first and only time ever," Team USA Coach Frank Mack said. "They're all bowling extremely well. They're all leaving it on the lanes and they're all having a lot of fun."

Donna Hazelett from Indiana was watching her daughter Alise, a proud member of Team USA, from the stands.

"Where else do you get to go that you get to sit in a bowling alley with people from Uruguay and Puerto Rico and Panama and just all the countries around us? We're thrilled that we get to do that and proud that she has that opportunity," Hazelett said.

Alise was feeling the pressure prior to bowling, but she knew she could do it.

"Sometimes you just have to take a breather and get focused again," she said.

The World Games run through August 2. All the sporting events are free and open to the public. To cheer these athletes, view the schedule here: www.la2015.org/schedule.