Palm Springs prepares to host Special Olympians

More than 7,000 athletes from 177 countries are expected to compete in 27 sporting events over the course of nine days, from July 25 to August 2, as Los Angeles is set to host the Special Olympics World Summer Games.

View Palm Springs activity schedule for Special Olympics

Palm Springs was one of 88 communities across Southern California chosen to host Special Olympics athletes for a pre-game celebration, scheduled from July 21 to July 24.

According to a release from the Palm Springs Chamber of Commerce, Special Olympics athletes from Portugal and Bahrain are spending several days in town town leading up to the big event in Los Angeles.

The Flame of Hope will complete its journey on July 25th when the Law Enforcement Torch Run Final Leg team carries it into the Opening Ceremony of the 2015 Special Olympics World Games and ignites the cauldron at the historic Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, site of the 1932 and 1984 Olympic Games Opening Ceremonies.

City officials said in a release that Palm Springs is honored to be a Host Town for the 2015 Special Olympics World Games, and they are deeply honored to be chosen to participate in the Law Enforcement Torch Run Final Leg for the 2015 Special Olympics World Games.