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Michelle Obama Will Kick Off The Special Olympics At L.A. Coliseum
Michelle Obama is coming to L.A. in July (Photo by Pier Marco Tacca/Getty Images)
Los Angeles is hosting the Special Olympics World Games next month, and First Lady Michelle Obama is going to help kick off the event. Michelle Obama will appear at the Special Olympics World Games' Opening Ceremony at the L.A. Memorial Coliseum on July 25, KPCC reports. Chairman Tim Shriver said that the organization is excited to have Obama involved and that "her vision of wellness, fitness and inclusion of all in sport is at the heart of the Special Olympics."
Los Angeles is preparing for about 500,000 spectators throughout the games' nine days, in which 7,000 athletes from 177 countries will compete in 25 sports. The games are free to attend with the exception of the opening ceremony.
The First Lady will be joined by musicians Stevie Wonder, Avril Lavigne and O.A.R.; actress Eva Longoria; Jimmy Kimmel; and Olympians Michael Phelps and Greg Louganis. Tickets are available here and range from $30 to $120.
The Special Olympics World Games have been taking place ever other year since the first event in Chicago in 1968. Los Angeles last hosted the Special Olympics in 1972. Previously, the L.A. Coliseum hosted the opening ceremonies for the 1932 and 1984 Summer Olympics.
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