Costa facilities prepare to host 2015 Special Olympics

By Maysen Marolda
Staff Writer

Mira Costa’s athletic facilities will serve as the training grounds for the international teams Nepal and Hungary before they compete in the 2015 Special Olympics World Summer Games from July 25 to August 2nd.

At the 2015 Special Olympics World Summer Games, people with intellectual disabilities will compete in 25 different sports competitions. Every two years, Special Olympics athletes come together to compete at the Special Olympics World Games. LA2015 will mark the first World Summer Games held in the United States in 16 years.

“These games will change the lives of people around the world who are mistreated and excluded because they’re different,” LA2015 President and Chief Executive Officer Patrick McClenahan said.

Manhattan Beach will be hosting Nepal and Hungary, and will provide the athletes and coaches with entertainment, training facilities, meals, and lodging. The teams will also visit the Manhattan Beach fire department and go to a dance.

“The Host Town program gives each community an opportunity to showcase to the world what makes them special, but more importantly to provide citizens with a better understanding of intellectual disabilities,” McClenahan said.

Manhattan Beach photographer John Post asked photography teacher Chris Lee to have his advanced Photography 2 students create a printed memorial scrapbook of the athletes time in Manhattan Beach. The students will be photographing the athletes dinners, lunches, picnics, practices, and possibly the arrival of the two teams at the airport.

“Vice principal Hofreiter came to me and told me that the city of Manhattan Beach would be hosting two international teams, and local photographer John Post wanted local school photographers to create a memorial photo album,” Lee said.

Lee’s chosen photographers will be photographing the athletes training time at Costa, where they will be practicing on July 22 and 23 at the facilities. The football field will be used for workouts and practices, as well as the gym, pool, and yoga room. In order for the photographers to prepare, they will have to research what camera settings are best to use at different times of the day.

“I hope that my photos to represent inclusion and that everyone matters, and to capture moments that make the viewer feel like they are a part of of the event,” photographer for the event Colby Young said.