Athletes compete for top honors at 2025 Special Olympics in Long Beach
More than 1,300 athletes and coaches took to Long Beach over the weekend to participate in the 2025 iteration of the Southern California Special Olympics.
The festivities kicked off on Friday, June 6, with the Special Olympics opening ceremony at Cal State Long Beach’s Walter Pyramid. After that, the games took place on Saturday and Sunday, June 7-8.
Antelope Valley and Laguna Hills players battle for a rebound in basketball action at the Southern California Special Olympics Summer Games on Sunday, June 8, 2025, in the Walter Pyramid at Cal State Long Beach. (Photo by Howard Freshman, Contributing Photographer)
Athletes celebrate after receiving their medals at the Special Olympics Summer Games on Sunday, June 8, 2025, on the campus of Cal State Long Beach. (Photo by Howard Freshman, Contributing Photographer)
Spectators cheer during bocce action at the Special Olympics Summer Games on Sunday, June 8, 2025, on the campus of Cal State Long Beach. (Photo by Howard Freshman, Contributing Photographer)
Antelope Valley and Laguna Hills players shake hands after a hard fought basketball game at the Southern California Special Olympics Summer Games on Sunday, June 8, 2025, in the Walter Pyramid at Cal State Long Beach. (Photo by Howard Freshman, Contributing Photographer)
An Antelope Valley player drives to the hoop against Laguna Hills in basketball action at the Southern California Special Olympics Summer Games on Sunday, June 8, 2025, in the Walter Pyramid at Cal State Long Beach. (Photo by Howard Freshman, Contributing Photographer)
Athletes compete in bocce at the Southern California Special Olympics Summer Games on Sunday, June 8, 2025, at Cal State Long Beach. (Photo by Howard Freshman, Contributing Photographer)
Athletes compete in bocce at the Southern California Special Olympics Summer Games on Sunday, June 8, 2025, at Cal State Long Beach. (Photo by Howard Freshman, Contributing Photographer)
Athletes compete in bocce at the Southern California Special Olympics Summer Games on Sunday, June 8, 2025, at Cal State Long Beach. (Photo by Howard Freshman, Contributing Photographer)
A team from Whittier competes in bocce at the Southern California Special Olympics Summer Games on Sunday, June 8, 2025, at Cal State Long Beach. (Photo by Howard Freshman, Contributing Photographer)
Athletes from Glendale high five each other on the podium after medaling in the 50m run at the Southern California Special Olympics Summer Games on Sunday, June 8, 2025, at Cal State Long Beach. (Photo by Howard Freshman, Contributing Photographer)
Athletes compete in bocce at the Southern California Special Olympics Summer Games on Sunday, June 8, 2025, at Cal State Long Beach. (Photo by Howard Freshman, Contributing Photographer)
Athletes compete in bocce at the Southern California Special Olympics Summer Games on Sunday, June 8, 2025, at Cal State Long Beach. (Photo by Howard Freshman, Contributing Photographer)
San Fernando Valley flag football players are enthusiastic prior to competing at the Southern California Special Olympics Summer Games on Sunday, June 8, 2025, at Cal State Long Beach. (Photo by Howard Freshman, Contributing Photographer)
Pomona Valley athletes Chris Hernandez, left, and Kimberly Frey display their gold medals after winning the 50m walk event at the Southern California Special Olympics Summer Games on Sunday, June 8, 2025, in the Walter Pyramid at Cal State Long Beach. (Photo by Howard Freshman, Contributing Photographer)
A Long Beach player goes up for a shot in a basketball game against Lakewood at the Southern California Special Olympics Summer Games on Sunday, June 8, 2025, in the Walter Pyramid at Cal State Long Beach. (Photo by Howard Freshman, Contributing Photographer)
Laguna Hills players celebrate after defeating Antelope Valley in basketball at the Southern California Special Olympics Summer Games on Sunday, June 8, 2025, in the Walter Pyramid at Cal State Long Beach. (Photo by Howard Freshman, Contributing Photographer)
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Antelope Valley and Laguna Hills players battle for a rebound in basketball action at the Southern California Special Olympics Summer Games on Sunday, June 8, 2025, in the Walter Pyramid at Cal State Long Beach. (Photo by Howard Freshman, Contributing Photographer)
Athletes competed for medals and ribbons in five different sports, including track and field, basketball, bocce, flag football and swimming. This year’s games also featured unified sports competitions, brining together athletes both with and without disabilities.
“Summer Games goes beyond the competitions. It’s a team effort from the community,” said SOSC President and CEO Kelly Pond. “The support for our athletes inspires and motivates all people.”
The Summer Games event also featured Healthy Athletes — a program that offers participants free health screenings from volunteer health care professionals — and a Young Athletes area, which offered kids a chance to work on fine motor skills and hand-eye coordination, and get a taste of what it would be like to participate in the Special Olympics some day.
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