The deal provides ESPN with rights to the Opening Ceremony from the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, live daily competition, the Closing Ceremony and other cultural activities.

"ESPN's reach and calibre of coverage made them a natural partner for the Special Olympics World Games," said Patrick McClenahan, President and chief executive of LA2015.

"ESPN's legacy of work with Special Olympics and our shared values of athletes first, unity, competition and overcoming adversity among others, strengthen the foundation of these World Games as a global celebration of the courage, determination and joy of our athletes."

The Special Olympics World Games Opening Ceremony will take place at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, venue of the Olympic Games Opening Ceremony in
1984 ©AFP/Getty Images



With this new agreement, sports fans from around the globe can tune in to watch hours of action from the Special Olympics via ESPN's networks and media platforms in the United States, Mexico, Spanish-speaking Latin America, the Caribbean, Brazil, Australia, New Zealand, Europe, the Middle East and Africa.

"This agreement reflects our belief in sport as a powerful vehicle to showcase and promote acceptance and inclusion," said John Skipper, President of ESPN.

"We are very proud of our long relationship with Special Olympics and our commitment to highlight the power of sport to positively impact people of all ability levels."

The 2015 Special Olympics World Games will see around 7,000 athletes from 177 countries travel to Los Angeles to compete in 25 Olympic-style sports from July 25 to August 2 next year.

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