Athletes Thank LA As Historic Special Olympic World Games Comes To Close
LOS ANGELES (CBSLA.com) — As the largest Special Olympics in history came to an end on Sunday, athletes and coaches did their part to thank LA as their host.
The closing ceremonies, held at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, featured a similar feel to the opening ceremonies, held in the same venue last weekend. Athletes walked the red carpet, and officially closed the games, which featured 6,500 athletes from 165 countries.
Many of them held signs thanking the city of Los Angeles for their work in hosting the event, which marks the largest sports and humanitarian event hosted in LA since the 1984 Olympics.
"I love the atmosphere and the environment," spectator Scott Bonnel said. "You can just feel it in the air. There's just such a love and a comradery, and a joining together. It's great."
Athletes say they will reflect on the games as a positive experience in their lives.
"I'm going to remember it forever and ever," one athlete said.
Carly Rae Jepsen was among the artists to perform for the athletes during the closing ceremonies.
