A show of hands: How many folks religiously watch the Olympics on television every two years? Come May, you will have something new and enlivening to tune into during those off-years.

Disneyland 10K with Charity Partner Special Olympics

In 2013, Disney, its affiliates ESPN and ABC, and Special Olympics united in a groundbreaking way; to use the influential platforms of these most successful brands to promote the movement that began as a summer camp in Eunice Shriver’s backyard over fifty years ago. Long-gone are the days of isolating the mentally challenged in the shadows of neglectful institutions, but the work of righting destructive stereotypes and negative misconceptions about those with intellectual differences is an ongoing challenge. Through the metamorphic power of sports, Special Olympics is changing attitudes and lives. As a Founding Champion of the LA2015 World Games, The Walt Disney Company will help make dreams come true for 7,000 athletes from 177 countries.   “It’s a small world, after all” applies!  As its Official Media Partner, broadcasting giant ESPN will focus its cameras on this, the largest sports and humanitarian event in the world.  Never before will coverage of the Special Olympics World Games rival that of the Olympic Games.

For the very first time, the Special Olympics Unified Relay Across America will carry the Flame of Hope from Athens, Greece (the site of the 2011 Special Olympics World Games) to Los Angeles, California.

2011 Athens Special Olympics World Games in Softball

Beginning May 26th, three simultaneous hand-to-hand relays will commence; the Flame of Hope will be carried from Maine, Washington, D.C., and Florida and travel west to its flurry finish at the Opening Ceremony of the 2015 Special Olympics World Games at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. All televised by ESPN networks! Your humble reporter will be among the Torch Runners and the symbolism of the flame will not be lost on me; at the Athen’s 2011 Special Olympics World Games, my autistic son played in the first Unified Sports softball game with Timothy Shriver. Ime Mesa!

Chairman Timothy Shriver leaves the Unified Sports game, glove in hand.

ESPN, the official broadcaster of the 2015 Special Olympics World Games, will televise the highlights of all 25 sports competitions nightly. The nine-day event will utilize over 20 venues across the area, from UCLA to Long Beach Marine Stadium. I wonder how many of the 30,000 volunteers and 10,000 athletes and coaches will be joining me at Disneyland Resort after the festivities?? I can already envision the victors’ on-camera crooning, “I’m going to Disneyland!”

Official logo of the 2015 Special Olympics World Games

You know the quote and the man: All our dreams can come true if we have the courage to pursue them. The Special Olympics motto? With me, nothing is impossible. I have no doubt that Walt Disney would have been an ardent supporter, ambassador and spectator of the extravaganza to take place in his neighborhood this July and August.  , Finally, thanks to the magic makers at Disney and ESPN, the rest of the world will as well.