As the 10-year anniversary of the 2015 World Games approaches, the Special Olympics Southern California (SOSC) community is reflecting on the stories, memories, and milestones that shaped that unforgettable summer in Los Angeles. From June 6–8, 2025, the celebration will culminate at the Summer Games in Long Beach—where athletes, volunteers, and fans alike will honor the legacy built over the past decade.
For Brad Nelson, a former elite athlete from Chicago, the 2015 World Games became much more than just a volunteer opportunity—it became a defining moment in his life.
“I felt like I needed to pay something forward,” Nelson shares.
As a collegiate athlete and a member of the U.S. national team for team handball who trained for the 1992 Olympics, Brad had experienced the power of sport on the world stage. But it wasn’t until he stepped into the 2015 World Games as the Director of On-Court Activities for handball that he truly felt the full impact of giving back.
Nelson oversaw 17 teams from 15 countries, navigating language barriers and cultural differences with a shared love for the game.
“There was a little bit of English, but the language barrier was broken easily because of the handball knowledge,” he recalls. “The competition was a lot higher level than I would have imagined.”
His time at the Games reunited him with former teammates and rivals—some of whom he had played against during his career—and together they ensured a tournament experience that was seamless and celebratory. “We were actually commended at the end because we ran our tournament so succinctly,” Nelson says with pride.
But it wasn’t just about logistics or sport. The emotional weight of the experience took Nelson by surprise.
“I thought it was going to be cool—being in the gym every day, on the handball court, watching games,” he says. “But it became so much more than that. It was probably the most important thing I’ve ever done in my life.”
Now, ten years later, Nelson’s story stands as a testament to what the World Games represented: a moment of global unity, competition, and deep personal growth for everyone involved. Brad continues to volunteer with Special Olympics Southern California as a head coach for the Westside All-Stars, mentoring athletes and fostering the same spirit of inclusion that inspired him a decade ago.
As we return to Southern California to celebrate this milestone during the 2025 Summer Games, the spirit of the 2015 Games continues to inspire—with Brad Nelson’s story serving as a powerful example of the impact of showing up, giving back, and being part of something greater.
Learn more about the 10 Year Celebration at www.sosc.org/la2015