100 Days Until the Special Olympics World Games Los Angeles 2015 (LA2015) on April 16

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Apr 14, 2015, 10:12 ET

CHICAGO, April 14, 2015 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- On April 16, the Special Olympics World Games Los Angeles 2015 (LA2015) will celebrate the 100 Day mark until the commencement of the world's largest sports and humanitarian event of the year. More than 7,000 athletes from 177 nations will compete in 25 Olympic-type sports at the 2015 World Games, which marks the 14th Special Olympics World Summer Games. With your help, we can create the awareness that leads to acceptance and inclusion of all people with intellectual disabilities.

Special Olympics Illinois will send 15 athletes and 8 coaches to join Special Olympics USA. The 491 member delegation will represent the United States at the 2015 Special Olympics World Games, being held July 25-Aug. 2, 2015. In addition, 6 residents from Illinois will be officiating at the Games.

The 100 Day celebration is only the beginning to counting down to this historic summer event. From May 26 to July 10, you can get involved in the excitement by carrying the Flame of Hope to LA in the first-ever Unified Relay Across America presented by Bank of America. Three routes will pass through the nation over 46 days and meet in Los Angeles for the start of the 2015 Special Olympics World Games. The Central Route runs through Southern Illinois June 8-9 and the Northern Route comes through the Chicagoland area June 12-14. Sign up today at unifiedrelay.org.

Find out who's on Illinois' delegation at www.soill.org/event/2015-world-games.

Join in the conversation by using the official hashtag #100daysTillLA. To learn more about the 2015 World Games, visit www.LA2015.org.

About Special Olympics Illinois
Special Olympics Illinois is a not-for-profit organization offering year-round training and competition in 19 sports for nearly 22,000 traditional athletes with intellectual disabilities and nearly 21,000 Young Athletes ages 2-7 with and without intellectual disabilities. Special Olympics transforms the lives of people with intellectual disabilities, allowing them to realize their full potential in sports and in life. Special Olympics programs enhance physical fitness, motor skills, self-confidence, social skills and encourage family and community support. If you are interested in learning more about Special Olympics Illinois, volunteering or providing financial support to help make Special Olympics programs possible, contact your local Special Olympics agency, visit our website at www.soill.org.

SOURCE Special Olympics Illinois