Special Olympics draws crowd

After a 29-year absence, the 1999 Southern California Special Olympics came back to the Cal State Long Beach campus last weekend and attracted more than 5,000 spectators and fans from the surrounding areas. 

Athletes from all over Southern California came to compete in events such as track and field, basketball, swimming, bocce, golf, tennis and gymnastics.

Approximately 2,300 volunteers were on hand to assist the 1,400 athletes and the 400 coaches that participated in the event.

Seventy Olympians from the Southern California delegation will go on to compete as a part of Team U.S.A. in the 1999 Special Olympics World Games held June 26 to July 4 in Raleigh, N.C. 

Athletes who have won a medal in their local competition, from San Luis Obispo to San Diego, qualify to be in a drawing to choose the athletes that will participate in the World Games, said Jane Wright, SOSC development manager.

Rafer Johnson, SOSC Board of Governors Chairman, spoke at the closing ceremonies and sponsored a booth selling Special Olympic souvenirs where he was on hand to open and close the booth each day. 

The proceeds from the booth benefit SOSC.  Johnson also signed his autograph and talked to athletes eager to meet him.

One of the original founders of the organization, Johnson said that he is “pleased to be back [in Long Beach].”

“Everyone in Long Beach has been so nice.  It is great that the Special Olympics is part of what the community is thinking and doing,” said Johnson. 

“The Parks and Recreation Department is looking forward to working here again next year at Cal State Long Beach,” said Bridget Chowen, recreation coordinator in sports and aquatics for the City of Long Beach Parks and Recreation Services.  “Athletes were pleased to be here because the campus is easier to get around.  At UCLA, the events were spread out more.”