The city known for its stars will shine even brighter this
summer when Los Angeles welcomes 7,000 inspirational athletes from 177
countries to the 2015 Special Olympics World Summer Games. The year’s largest
sports and humanitarian event in the world and the biggest gathering L.A. has
hosted since the 1984 Olympic Games kicks off 100 days from today, on July 25.
More than 30,000 volunteers and 500,000 spectators are expected to support the
athletes competing in 25 events over nine days.
Coca-Cola is a founding partner and global sponsor of Special Olympics, which was founded by Eunice Kennedy Shriver in 1968.
Coca-Cola, a founding partner and global sponsor of Special
Olympics dating back to the organization’s inception in 1968, will help raise
awareness and interest in the world-class sporting event, which showcases the
unlimited potential of people with intellectual disabilities.
For 47 years,Coca-Cola and Special Olympics have shared a
partnership rooted in their shared values of optimism and inclusion. Coke has
provided monetary and in-kind contributions equipment, uniforms and other
materials and services for Special Olympics competitions and community
activities around the world.
“It’s a natural fit,” Julie Kessler, director, Special Olympics World Games 2015,Coca-Cola . “Special Olympics and Coca-Cola both
champion acceptance and celebrate the courage, determination and joy of these
incredible athletes.”
Earlier this year, Coke and Special Olympics teamed up to create a global music anthem for the World Games. “Reach Up” features the band O.A.R. and Cody Simpson, accompanied by Bree Bogucki, a singer and decorated Special Olympics athlete from Illinois, and Madison Tevlin, a young woman with Down Syndrome who found fame earlier this year with her cover of “All of Me”. The song, which will be released later this month, was inspired by the transformative power of Special Olympics Unified Sports – a program that pairs athletes with and without intellectual disabilities on and off the field of play for competition and camaraderie.
Coca-Cola Chairman and CEO Muhtar Kent participate in a Unified Sports event with Special Olympics athlete Ariel Ary from Costa Rica.
Coke employees have taken the Company’s commitment to the
organization one step further. They have developed meaningful friendships with
Special Olympics athletes – many have coached and mentored Special Olympics
athletes while others have volunteered to help support the movement. Chairman
and CEO, Muhtar Kent, is a member of the board of directors for Special
Olympics International. And Bill O’Brien, SVP and West Region General Manager,
is on the board of directors for the Special Olympics World Games Organizing
Committee.
The company plans to recruit 2,000 employees to cheer on the
athletes in the stands and support venue operations by helping to refresh
athletes, families, officials and volunteers with more than 1.5 million
servings of Coca-Cola products.
“What we’ve heard over and over from our colleagues is that when they have the opportunity to volunteer with Special Olympics, they feel like they get far more back from the experience than they put in through interaction with these inspiring athletes and their families,” Kessler said. “We hope to ‘paint the stands red’ to show our support.”
Coke’s support of the Games extends to the market via a commemorative 8-oz. glass bottle, outdoor advertising and retail promotions encouraging consumers to support Special Olympics by volunteering or donating.

For 47 years,
“It’s a natural fit,” Julie Kessler, director, Special Olympics World Games 2015,
Earlier this year, Coke and Special Olympics teamed up to create a global music anthem for the World Games. “Reach Up” features the band O.A.R. and Cody Simpson, accompanied by Bree Bogucki, a singer and decorated Special Olympics athlete from Illinois, and Madison Tevlin, a young woman with Down Syndrome who found fame earlier this year with her cover of “All of Me”. The song, which will be released later this month, was inspired by the transformative power of Special Olympics Unified Sports – a program that pairs athletes with and without intellectual disabilities on and off the field of play for competition and camaraderie.


Coke employees in Korea celebrate with athletes at the 2013 World Winter Games.
“What we’ve heard over and over from our colleagues is that when they have the opportunity to volunteer with Special Olympics, they feel like they get far more back from the experience than they put in through interaction with these inspiring athletes and their families,” Kessler said. “We hope to ‘paint the stands red’ to show our support.”
Coke’s support of the Games extends to the market via a commemorative 8-oz. glass bottle, outdoor advertising and retail promotions encouraging consumers to support Special Olympics by volunteering or donating.
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