Special Olympics conclude in L.A.
Closing ceremony takes place at Coliseum
LOS ANGELES – Thousands of athletes said goodbye to Los Angeles on Sunday in an emotional closing ceremony for the Special Olympics marked by cheers, tears and pride.
After more than a week of games, athletes from more than 160 countries marched into Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on a giant red carpet to applause and praise for their efforts.
Some 6,500 athletes took part in contests ranging from weightlifting to soccer. Although not everyone won gold, silver or bronze medals, every competitor received a performance ribbon and a chance to take to the victory stand following their competition. An estimated 500,000 people turned out to watch at venues in and around Los Angeles.
A Twitter posting from Los Angeles police headquarters thanked the athletes “for inspiring us & showing what true strength is.”
The colorful Special Olympics flag was lowered and presented to a delegation from Austria, where the Winter Games will be held in 2017.
A five-minute video showed highlights of the competitions and a flame that was lit in the Coliseum cauldron at the game opening was extinguished.
The athletes were welcomed on July 25 in a star-studded ceremony at the arena, site of the 1932 and 1984 Olympics.
“My first visit to LA, but not my last. Definitely looking forward to coming back,” Icelandic soccer player Thor Haklidason said before the closing event.
“It’s truly been an unbelievable experience and a great time,” he continued, adding people from all over Southern California have embraced him and his teammates everywhere they’ve been.
Competitions included dozens of sports, including weightlifting, horseback riding, swimming and soccer.
• Police are asking for the public’s help in finding an Albanian athlete who disappeared after participating in the Special Olympics.
The Los Angeles Police Department says 44-year-old Andi Gusmari was last seen Saturday at about 8:30 p.m. at the University of Southern California.
Police were classifying his disappearance as critical.
Gusmari participated in a bowling competition and suffers from a speech impediment. He does not speak English.