Just got one of my favorite annual emails letting us know one of our favorite annual events is just around the corner—the Special Olympics Southern California Summer Games will be held at Long Beach State on June 12th and 13th—I’ve written in the past that the biggest surprise to me about the games is what a fun spectator event it is.  Hopefully I’ll see you out there!  I’ll write a guide to enjoying the games next week, but for now here’s the full release from SOSC:

Special Olympics Southern California is hosting its biggest sports event of the year—the 2010 Summer Games at California State University, Long Beach. The public is invited to join in the fun and cheer on the more than 1,100 athletes that will participate in six different competitions on June 12 and 13. Including athletes, coaches, volunteers, and spectators, the Summer Games is expected to attract more than 6,000 people over the course of the two-day event; admission is free. 

The 41^st annual Summer Games begin at 10 a.m. on Saturday with the Opening Ceremony, emceed by KTLA sports anchor, Derrin Horton. The ceremony includes the traditional Parade of Athletes and lighting of the cauldron, using a torch that was part of a two-week Torch Run relay organized by Southern California law enforcement agencies. Competitions will follow the ceremony starting at noon and ending at 5 p.m. and resume on Sunday from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sports competitions include aquatics, athletics (track/ field), basketball, bocce, golf and gymnastics. Gold, silver, and bronze medals will be presented after competitions at each sports venue. More details are available at www.sosc.org.  

“While our athletes participate in sports year-round through Special Olympics, the Summer Games is our largest competition and one that our athletes and the public look forward to every year,” said Bill Shumard, President and CEO of Special Olympics Southern California. “If you’ve never been to one of our events, bring your friends and family to see how Special Olympics changes the lives of everyone involved in our movement.”

New to this year’s Summer Games is the Special Olympics Dream House Raffle on June 13 at 12:30 p.m., where 350 prizes and the grand-prize winner will be drawn. Net proceeds from the raffle will support programs for Special Olympics athletes. Everyone will also be treated to a free piece of Dream House Raffle cake, courtesy of The Vons Foundation, which is the Summer Games Title Sponsor.

In Summer Games tradition, the Rafer Johnson Breakfast With Champions is set for Saturday, June 12, at 11:30a.m. This year’s keynote speaker is Bobby Ryan, Anaheim Ducks forward and U.S. Hockey Olympic silver medalist. In addition, news anchor Ed Arnold will receive the first Rafer Johnson Humanitarian Award. Arnold is one of SOSC’s founding Board Members. Tickets are $50 and can be purchased online at www.breakfastwithchampions.org.

The Summer Games also provides an opportunity for athletes to receive health screenings to examine the athletes’ general health and improve their ability to train and compete in Special Olympics. Volunteer health professionals in audiology, physical therapy, podiatry, and optometry offer free screenings to Special Olympics athletes at the Healthy Athletes Village.

The 2010 Summer Games are made possible with the help of 3,000 volunteers and generous contributions from individuals and corporate sponsors, including The Vons Foundation, The Walt Disney Company, KTLA, Mattel, Mitchell E. Gordon Memorial Fund, Summit Entertainment, Toyota and UPS.

Special Olympics athletes and staff are available for media prior to and during the Summer Games weekend. Competing athletes and their coaches represent the following cities and counties throughout Southern California: Antelope Valley, Imperial Valley, Kern County, Long Beach, Los Angeles, Mojave River, Morongo Basin, Orange County, Pasadena, Pomona, Riverside, Palm Springs, San Bernardino County, San Diego County, San Fernando Valley, San Gabriel Valley, San Luis Obispo County, Santa Barbara County, Santa Clarita, South Bay, Temecula, and Ventura.