With UCLA set to welcome the world as part of the 2015 Special Olympics World Games from July 25 – Aug. 2, here are just some of the ways the UCLA community has been part of Special Olympics since the beginning.
1. Olympic gold medalist Rafer Johnson

UCLA alumnus Rafer Johnson is a founding member of the Special Olympics and a member of the board for the 2015 World Games. At UCLA, Johnson is special assistant to the athletic director.
2. UCLA football coach Jim Mora

Jim Mora has been involved with Special Olympics since 1992. Ten years ago, Mora and his wife, Shannon, expanded their support by establishing the Jim Mora Count on Me Foundation. The Moras were grand co-marshals of the Special Olympics Georgia Summer Games in 2004 and 2006, and the Special Olympics Washington Summer Games in 2009, and are honorary co-chairs of the 2015 Host Town Manhattan Beach program.
3. Jan Palchikoff

Jan Palchikoff, pictured here with Special Olympics athlete Debi Anderson at the 2013 Special Olympics World Winter Games in South Korea, graduated from UCLA with a degree in history in 1975 and was a member of the U.S. Olympic rowing team in 1976 and 1980. She is now senior vice president, competition and athlete experience for the 2015 Special Olympics World Games and has served as senior vice president and chief program officer for Special Olympics Southern California since 2004.
4. UCLA as a venue

The 1972 Special Olympics World Games were held at UCLA. A year later, the state games were held at UCLA. Since then, UCLA has hosted more than 20 state-wide games.
5. Michelle Kwan

Two-time Olympic medal figure skater Michelle Kwan, who majored in American literature at UCLA from 1999-2001, is a member of the Special Olympics International board of directors.
6. UCLA men’s basketball coach Steve Alford

Steve Alford started volunteering with Special Olympics while a member of the U.S. men’s Olympic basketball team that won gold in 1984. In 2014 and 2015, Alford participated in the Infinity Coaches Charity Challenge and a chance to win $100,000 for Special Olympics.
7. UCLA staff

More than 100 UCLA medical professionals will be staffing two clinics to ensure the health and well-being of spectators, Olympians and their coaches and chaperones. In addition, more than 600 UCLA staff members from across campus have registered to volunteer at events being held on the UCLA campus.
8. UCLA Greek Week Fundraising

During Greek Week 2015, members of UCLA fraternities and sororities raised nearly $10,000 for athletes competing in the Special Olympics World Games.
9. Leslie Ann Siy

Leslie Ann Siy, who graduated from UCLA with a degree in sociology in 2005, directs the Special Olympics World Games Families Program.
10. Special Olympics at UCLA

In 1979, Special Olympics at UCLA became the first student organization of its kind at an American college or university to work with special needs athletes.
11. Donna de Varona

Donna de Varona, an Olympic gold-medal swimmer who graduated from UCLA in 1986 with a degree in political science, is a member of the LA2015 board of directors. She has been involved with Special Olympics since the 1970s.
12. We Run the City

This annual 5k rivalry run/walk supports Special Olympics Southern California. Held a week prior to the UCLA/USC football game, this event has raised $182,000 since its inception in 2011. UCLA currently “Runs the City,” having beat USC for bragging rights in 2014.
13. Rich Perelman

Rich Perelman, who graduated from UCLA with a degree in economics in 1978, is co-senior director of media operations for the Special Olympics World Games. More than 1,500 members of the media are expected to cover events, including ESPN, which will broadcast coverage internationally.
14. Unified Sports at UCLA

On July 30, UCLA will lead discussions with the National Intramural-Recreational Sports Association and Special Olympic reps from various states to discuss how to bring unified sports programs - activities that unite athletes with and without intellectual disabilities - into campus life. UCLA students are already organizing and participating in unified sports events on campus, including Unified Sports Day held at the Intramural Field in May.
15. Megan Deer

Megan Deer, shown here while working at the 2010 Olympic Games in Vancouver, is general manager of venues for the 2015 Special Olympics World Games. In this role, Deer, who graduated from UCLA with a bachelor of arts degree in sociology in 2001, is responsible for the venue planning of multiple competition and non-competition venues, including the athlete’s village, opening and closing ceremonies, athletics, aquatics and basketball.