(ATR) Los Angeles is still buzzing with excitement over the opening of the 2015 Special Olympics World Games.
The opening ceremony kicked off on Saturday with a taped message from U.S. President Barack Obama, followed by messages from L.A. Mayor Eric Garcetti,TV news anchor Robin Roberts, and comedian Jimmy Kimmel.
Over 9,000 athletes from 165 countries marched throughout the L.A. Memorial Coliseum.
The star-studded lineup for the opening ceremony included the iconic Stevie Wonder, singer/song-writer Avril Lavigne, and award-winning musician Siedah Garrett, who wrote the theme song for the Special Olympics World Games "Reach Up L.A."
Olympians Nadia Comaneci, Michelle Kwan, Greg Louganis, and Michael Phelps helped carry the Special Olympics flag into the coliseum. IOC member Anita DeFrantz was also in attendance.
Messages from Special Olympics chairmanTim Shriver and his sister, journalist Maria Shriver, highlighted the bravery of the Special Olympians in the audience.
"Athletes, this is your moment," Tim Shriver said."Give yourself to these Games. Come out for equality."
In speaking to spectators, Shriver said, "Wherever you are, wherever you're watching, join the athletes of the Special Olympics."
He then invited his sister to the stage.The pair, whose mother Eunice Kennedy Shriver founded the Special Olympics in 1968, spoke of the legacy of the organization.
"My mother took great, great pride in the Special Olympics and all of you," Maria Shriver said.
"She was so proud of you and wanted more than anything for you to be respected, appreciated for who you are.
"Men and women capable of dreaming big and making dreams happen."
She added, "Our mother lives on in all of you. Tonight she is so alive in this coliseum.
"She is alive in the spirit of Special Olympics."
U.S. First Lady Michelle Obama delivered the final message of the ceremony, a message of unity.
"You remind us that at our core, we all want the same thing.
"A sense of pride in who we are and a belief that we can reach our dreams no matter what challenges we may face.
"You're uniting us in a way that nothing else can."
TheSpecial Olympics is the world's largest sports organization for children and adults with intellectual disabilities.
The organization sets up year-round training and competitions for over 4 million athletes in more than 170 countries. Special Olympics competitions are held every day, all around the world.
The summer and winter editions of the Special Olympics World Games, held every four years, are the flagship events for the organization.
Competition kicks off early Sunday morning with events in athletics, bocce, bowling, handball, softball, tennis, and triathlon. The day ends with events in open water swimming, rhythmic gymnastics, softball, and volleyball.
Over 500,000 people are expected to come out to watch competition in L.A. throughout the next week.Some 2,000 coaches and 30,000 volunteers will be in the southern California city for the games.Competition ends Aug. 2.
Written and reported in Los Angeles byNicole Bennett
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