Return to Activity Update Due to Coronavirus: 9/14/21
The health and safety of athletes, volunteers, and employees continues to be our number one priority. We continually track information from trusted health resources about ...
Marco Martinez is Team UCLA for the Virtual We Run The City
Run into Marco Martinez often enough and more than likely he’ll be decked out in a UCLA sweater, a hat or some other branded attire. He has an evident passion for its teams when the conversation steers that way, often by his own enthusiasm and sometimes with an accompanying 8 clap. Marco, a Special Olympics ...
Special Olympics Southern California Announces New President & CEO
LONG BEACH, Calif., Sept. 21, 2020 -- The Board of Directors of Special Olympics Southern California announces the appointment of Calvin Lyons as the new President & CEO of Special Olympics Southern California (SOSC) effective September 28, 2020. Lyons joins SOSC from the Boys & Girls Clubs, where he served as the President and CEO ...
Celebrating Rafer Johnson: An Immeasurable Impact
By Tracy McDannald Rafer Johnson isn’t one to beat his chest and flash his Olympic gold medal. It would be years before his own children learned of his mainstream success. Yet, the Special Olympics Southern California founder has many friends and admirers, in addition to family, who will go to bat for him and attempt ...
Celebrating Rafer Johnson: UCLA’s ‘Most Prestigious’ Living Legend
By Tracy McDannald Rafer Johnson’s gold medal in the decathlon at the 1960 Rome Olympics put him in a different stratosphere at home in the U.S. and abroad. He drew interest from the Los Angeles Rams, who drafted him in the 28th round in 1959, despite not playing a single down of college football. Hollywood ...
Celebrating Rafer Johnson: An Olympic Decathlon for the Ages
WeAreSOSC.org previously highlighted Rafer Johnson’s journey to get to the 1960 Rome Olympics and his place in history as the U.S. flagbearer during the Opening Ceremonies. Now, we take you through his gold-medal performance in the decathlon and the bond he shared with fellow competitor C.K. Yang. By Tracy McDannald Rafer Johnson would be the ...
Murrieta Mesa High School, Murrieta Valley High School, and Westminster High School to Receive National Recognition from Special Olympics for Achievements with Inclusion
Special Olympics Southern California has announced Murrieta Mesa High School, Murrieta Valley High School, and Westminster High School are receiving national banner recognition for their efforts to provide inclusive sports and activities for students with and without disabilities. The three Special Olympics Unified Champion Schools are receiving this honor as a result of meeting national ...
Join Joseph’s Journey: Being an Athlete in the Time of COVID-19
Editor's note: "Join Joseph's Journey" is a blog written by Joseph Gorin, a Special Olympics Southern California athlete and member of SOSC's Board of Directors. Joseph, who has cerebral palsy, started training and competing with Special Olympics in 2003. Back then, he was a quiet kid who would barely look people in the eyes. Now, ...
Inside SOSC: Special Olympics is a Family Affair for Athlete Joselyn Bermudez and Her Parents
By Emma Vandine When it comes to involvement with Special Olympics, athlete Joselyn Bermudez and her family demonstrate how there is no such thing as “too busy” or “too involved.” Starting as an athlete ten years ago at the age of 13, Joselyn now participates in five sports for SOSC, while her parents coach four ...
Celebrating Rafer Johnson: History at the 1960 Opening Ceremonies
WeAreSOSC.org is celebrating the 60th anniversary of Rafer Johnson's gold medal decathlon performance. Yesterday, we took a look at his journey to get to the Games. Today, we celebrate the anniversary of his place in history at the Opening Ceremonies. By Tracy McDannald The 1960 Rome Olympics featured a slew of breakout American stars whose ...
Celebrating Rafer Johnson: The Build to the 1960 Rome Olympics
For the next few weeks, WeAreSOSC.org will celebrate the 60th anniversary of Special Olympics Southern California founder Rafer Johnson’s gold medal in the decathlon at the 1960 Rome Summer Olympics, the historical significance surrounding the event and his legacy in the immediate aftermath. Part of that legacy resulted in his selection as the final torchbearer ...