11-01-2011 - Letter of Support for West Covina to Host Special - Item 7 (2).doc City of West Covina
Memorandum
A G E N D A
ITEM NO. 7
DATE: November 1, 2011
TO: Andrew G. Pasmant, City Manager
and City Council
FROM: Chris Freeland, Deputy City Manager
SUBJECT: LETTER OF SUPPORT FOR WEST COVINA TO HOST SPECIAL OLYMPICS WORLD SUMMER GAMES IN 2015
RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended that the City Council send a letter to the Special Olympics International Board of Directors encouraging the use of Big League Dreams-West Covina as a location to host
the 2015 Special Olympics World Summer Games.
DISCUSSION:
On September 14, 2011, the Special Olympics International Board of Directors announced that the 2015 Special Olympics World Summer Games will be held in Los Angeles.
Special Olympics is an international organization that changes lives through the power of sport by encouraging and empowering people with intellectual disabilities, promoting acceptance
for all, and fostering communities of understanding and respect worldwide. Founded in 1968 by Eunice Kennedy Shriver, the Special Olympics movement has grown from a few hundred athletes
to more than 3.7 million athletes in over 170 countries in all regions of the world, providing year-round sports training, athletic competition and other related programs. Special
Olympics provides people with intellectual disabilities continuing opportunities to realize their potential, develop physical fitness, demonstrate courage, and experience joy and friendship.
Alternating between Summer and Winter Games every two years, thousands of Special Olympics athletes worldwide come together to showcase their athletic skills and celebrate the spirit
of Special Olympics. The Special Olympics World Summer Games were last held in the United States in 1999 in Raleigh, North Carolina. The most recent World Summer Games (2011) were
held in Athens, Greece, and the next World Winter Games (2013) will be held in Korea.
The 2015 Special Olympics World Summer Games are expected to bring more than a half-million people to the greater Los Angeles area and will be held in the summer of 2015, with more than
7,000 Special Olympics athletes from 170 nations to compete in 21 Olympic-type sports. Representatives from the Special Olympics have expressed an interest in having some of the competitions
at Big League Dreams-West Covina, because of its unique atmosphere and close proximity to the other sports facilities in Los Angeles.
City staff is recommending the City Council submit a letter of interest to the Special Olympics International Board of Directors encouraging the use of Big League Dreams-West Covina
as a location to host the 2015 Special Olympics World Summer Games. If selected, athletes and the millions of viewers of the Special Olympics from around the world will be introduced
to West Covina, and local businesses would benefit from having the international competitions in our community.
FISCAL IMPACT:
There is no cost to the City to submit a letter of support to the Special Olympics. City staff believes that if Big League Dreams is selected as a site for the Special Olympics, local
businesses would benefit from the additional visitors to the community.
Prepared By:
Chris Freeland
Deputy City Manager