Special Olympics World Games LA 2015 on ESPN – Wednesday, July 29

July 29, 2015

Special Olympics World Games LA 2015 on ESPN – Wednesday, July 29

• Lindsay Czarniak and Kevin Neghandhi host coverage at 7 p.m. ET
• com coverage continues with powerful features
• ESPN Images capturing the action of the World Games

ESPN’s global coverage of 2015 Special Olympics World Games in Los Angeles, the largest sporting and humanitarian event in 2015, began with live coverage of the Games’ star-studded Opening Ceremony on Saturday, July 24.

Each night throughout the Games, ESPN’s Lindsay Czarniak and Kevin Neghandhi will host, Special Olympics World Games LA 2015, being produced from ESPN’s downtown Los Angeles Production Center.  The show includes interviews with athletes and special guests, as well as a daily “competition showcase” segment that will feature play-by-play calls from the day’s action by ESPN’s Jason Benetti and reporting from Paralympic gold medal swimmer Victoria Arlen.  In addition, ESPN’s Jeremy Schaap and Marty Smith, as well as Special Olympics Global Messenger Dustin Plunkett will contribute to ESPN’s coverage.

On tonight’s show:

• THE GIFT OF HEALTH: Special Olympics World Games is not just a sporting competition. It is also a chance for athletes from all parts of the world to get a complete, often rare and sometimes life-saving, medical exam. ESPN’s Jeremy Schaap introduces viewers to the Healthy Athletes Program.
• HOOP LIFE: Abel Mehari has found joy, health and friendship through basketball, as he explains to ESPN’s Marty Smith who introduces viewers to the Minnesota athlete.

ICYMI:  For those that missed yesterday’s Special Olympics World Games LA 2015, highlights included:

• UP CLOSE AND PERSONAL– ESPN’s Marty Smith shared the story of a New Jersey Triathlon team and coach, as the sport makes its Special Olympics World Games debut in 2015.  HERE
• DAY 2 COMPETITION: Kevin Negandhi recaps Day 2 of the Special Olympics World Games, including Jeannie Garriss’ gold-medal performance in rhythmic gymnastics and Fernando Rios Duran’s rally for a silver medal in the 100-meter freestyle. HERE
• JULIE FOUDY: ESPN analyst and World Cup Champion Julie Foudy shares stories from the soccer fields. HERE

ESPN DIGITAL FEATURES & COVERAGE

ESPN.com’s extensive coverage of Special Olympics World Games continues with news and feature stories examining the people and topics of the Special Olympics World Games, the wider movement, exclusive athlete blogs, photo galleries and an extensive lineup of video features.

Among the highlighted coverage, is:

• UNCOMMON BOND: Dikembe Mutombo and Scott Hamilton couldn’t come from more different backgrounds, but they share a deep dedication in helping others through Special Olympics. ESPN’s Missy Isaacson reports HERE
• SIMPLY HERSELF: She might be the Special Olympics’ best-known athlete, an Arthur Ashe award-winner and a friend to Bill Clinton, but Loretta Claiborne remains simply herself. ESPN’s Devin O’Neil reports HERE
• THE KINDNESS OF FANS: After seeing the Haitian Special Olympics soccer team show up to UCLA without proper equipment, some fans made sure the team had fresh new kits. ESPN’s Devon O’Neil reports HERE

PHOTOGRAPHIC COVERAGE

ESPN Images and ESPN Digital Media photographers are capturing photos from around the Special Olympics World Games throughout the week, including these:

Los Angeles, CA – July 28, 2015 – Griffith Park: Jason Kin Chun of Great Britain participating in Equestrian during the 2015 Special Olympics World Summer Games
(Photo by Phil Ellsworth / ESPN Images)

Los Angeles, CA – July 28, 2015 – Griffith Park: Athlete from Great Britain participating in golf during the 2015 Special Olympics World Summer Games
(Photo by Phil Ellsworth / ESPN Images)

Los Angeles, CA – July 28, 2015 – Long Beach: Beach Volleyball during the 2015 Special Olympics World Summer Games
(Photo by Kohjiro Kinno / ESPN Images)

Los Angeles, CA – July 28, 2015 – Long Beach: Beach Volleyball during the 2015 Special Olympics World Summer Games
(Photo by Kohjiro Kinno / ESPN Images)

The full collection of ESPN Images photos from the event, available for use in editorial coverage, can be found here: http://bit.ly/1TZgIuh

PHOTO ESSAY: CHEVI PETERS LIFTS TO GOLD AT WORLD GAMES

A behind-the-scenes look at U.S. powerlifter Chevi Peters’ three gold medal-winning performance at the Special Olympics World Games.  HERE

COVERAGE SCHEDULE

** NOTE:  the Aug. 1 program on ABC will air at 4 p.m. ET except on the west coast, where it will begin at 5 p.m. ET (2 p.m. PT)

ESPN and The Special Olympics
Disney and ESPN have long supported Special Olympics.

ESPN is proud of its relationship with the Special Olympics, which spans more than 30 years. It is the official media partner of the Special Olympics World Games Los Angeles 2015, and along with ABC, the Unified Relay Across America presented by Bank of America – which carried the Flame of Hope to Los Angeles. Additionally, since 2013 ESPN has been the Global Presenting Sponsor and Official Media Sponsor of Special Olympics Unified Sports, which bring athletes with and without intellectual disabilities together as teammates.

ESPN’s support of the Special Olympics is part of The Walt Disney Company’s company-wide support, which includes Disney’s role as a Founding Champion of the LA2015 World Games.

Being a good corporate citizen is a time-honored tradition at ESPN. The company believes that, at its very best, sports uplifts the human spirit. Its corporate citizenship programs use power of sport to positively address society’s most pressing needs through strategic community investments, cause marketing programs, collaboration with sports organizations and employee volunteerism, while also utilizing its diverse media assets. For more information go to www.espn.com/citizenship.

The Walt Disney Company, through contributions, collaborations with local organizations, in-kind gifts and volunteering, helps to brighten the lives of kids and families in need and strengthen communities around the world. For more information visit, thewaltdisneycompany.com/citizenship or twitter.com/disneycitizenship.

Contact: Paul Melvin (860-766-5069 or paul.melvin@espn.com )