Camarillo, Calif., Jan. 14, 2015 – At a special event this morning on campus at CSU Channel Islands (CI), the city of Camarillo announced today that the community has been officially selected to participate in the Special Olympics World Games Host Town program from July 21-24, 2015. Before the Special Olympics World Games begin on July 25, 2015, more than 7,000 athletes from 177 countries will be welcomed to Southern California through the Host Town program. As many as one hundred communities from San Luis Obispo to San Diego will have the honor of being selected as an official Host Town.

“We are thrilled to see so many communities eager to participate in this integral component of the World Games,” said Patrick McClenahan, president and chief executive officer of LA2015, the Games Organizing Committee. “The Host Town program will not only create lasting memories for these athletes and coaches from around the world, but leave a lasting legacy for the communities who are opening their doors, hearts and minds to host these inspiring athletes."

The Host Town program in Camarillo is a collaboration between CSU Channel Islands, the City of Camarillo and the Camarillo Chamber of Commerce. Together, they will welcome a delegation from the 2015 Special Olympics World Games and show the athletes and coaches all that Camarillo has to offer.

“As a university dedicated to helping students reach their highest potential, we are honored to welcome athletes who challenge themselves each day to do their personal best,” said CI President, Richard R. Rush.

Camarillo Mayor, Bill Little and Camarillo Chamber of Commerce Chief Executive Officer, Gary Cushing, are both delighted to be working with CI as Camarillo prepares for an international stage.

“Not only does this demonstrate the tie-in the University has with the city and vice-versa, but we’re going to be able to show off our University as well as our beautiful city for people who might not otherwise have the opportunity to visit us,” said Mayor Little. “There are going to be a lot of athletes, coaches, and their families, and we’re going to make them feel right at home while they’re here.”

“It’s one of the best places to live in the world,” said Gary Cushing, CEO of the Camarillo Chamber of Commerce.
The Host Town program has been an important element of Special Olympics World Games since 1995, and the experience has left a lasting impression on the local communities in Ireland, Japan, China, Greece, South Korea and the United States, all of which have previously organized Host Town programs as part of the Special Olympics World Games.

LA2015 is actively identifying potential Host Town candidates to be considered for the program. Communities are evaluated on the availability of lodging accommodations, sports practice facilities and recreation/entertainment offerings for the athletes, among other criteria. Host Towns are also responsible for planning activities for the athletes to introduce them to the community and help spread the word about the Games.

Camarillo joins the growing list of officially proclaimed Host Towns, which includes Long Beach, Thousand Oaks, Calabasas, Studio City, Manhattan Beach, West Covina, Arcadia, Burbank, Santa Clarita, Palmdale, La Mirada, Glendale, Palm Springs, Santa Maria, Santa Barbara, Irvine, Downey, Whittier, Simi Valley, Fountain Valley, Pasadena, Huntington Beach, Fullerton, Solvang, Oxnard, San Diego North County (Del Mar, Encinitas, and Solana Beach), Corona, Mountain Communities of Lake Arrowhead, Inglewood, San Pedro, Ontario, Carson, Mission Viejo, La Habra, Rancho Cucamonga, Alhambra, Monterey Park, South Pasadena, South County, Chino Valley, Hermosa Beach, Redlands, San Luis Obispo County, Santa Monica, Azusa/Duarte/Glendora, Orange, La Verne, Newport Beach and San Diego East County. More Host Town selections will be announced in the coming weeks.

Communities interested in serving as Host Towns can learn more by visiting the World Games website at www.LA2015.org/host-town.

About California State University Channel Islands
CSU Channel Islands (CI) is the only four-year, public university in Ventura County and is known for its interdisciplinary, multicultural and international perspectives, and its emphasis on experiential and service learning. CI’s strong academic programs focus on business, sciences, liberal studies, teaching credentials, and innovative master’s degrees. Students benefit from individual attention, up-to-date technology, and classroom instruction augmented by outstanding faculty research. CI has been designated by the U.S. Department of Education as a Hispanic-Serving Institution and is committed to serving students of all backgrounds from the region and beyond. Connect with and learn more about CI by visiting CI’s Social Media.

About the Special Olympics World Games Los Angeles 2015 (LA2015)
With 7,000 athletes and 3,000 coaches representing 177 countries, along with 30,000 volunteers and an anticipated 500,000 spectators, the 2015 Special Olympics World Games - being staged in Los Angeles July 25 - August 2, 2015 - will be the largest sports and humanitarian event anywhere in the world in 2015, and the single biggest event in Los Angeles since the 1984 Olympic Games. The 2015 Special Olympics World Games, with the unparalleled spirit, enthusiasm, teamwork, joy and displays of courage and skill that are hallmarks of all Special Olympics events, will feature 25 Olympic-style sports in venues throughout the Los Angeles region. The Opening Ceremony, to be held July 25, 2015 in the historic Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, site of the 1932 and 1984 Olympic Games, is expected to attract 80,000 spectators. On April 30, 2014, LA2015 and ESPN announced a global programming deal that will see ESPN bring coverage of World Games to millions of fans around the world. Honorary Chairs of the Games are President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama, with Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti and California Governor Jerry Brown serving as Honorary Hosts. Current Founding Champions and sponsors include The Coca-Cola Company, Mattel, Deloitte, Toyota, Bank of America, OUE, Kaiser Permanente, Davis Elen Advertising, Microsoft, AEG, David Geffen, Steven Spielberg and his wife Kate Capshaw, The Walt Disney Company, Panda Express, and Knights of Columbus. LA2015, the Games Organizing Committee, is a recognized 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. For more information on the 2015 Special Olympics World Games, including volunteer and sponsorship opportunities, visit www.LA2015.org and on social with #ReachUpLA on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.