It is the first performance of the Canadian-French singer since she was diagnosed with Lyme disease last year. The opening of the Special Olympics was held on July 25, 2015 at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. The Special Olympics World Game celebrates athletes with intellectual disabilities. 6,500 athletes are expected to attend from 165 countries, competing in 25 different sports events.
Avril Lavigne performed her single 'Fly'. Days prior to the opening, she posted on social media that her single was out, encouraging people to purchase it. Lavigne, being one of the staunch supporters of the Special Olympics is donating proceeds to the cause.
Other performers and celebrities were also in attendance, like Stevie Wonder, Nicole Scherzinger and Eva Longoria. The First Lady Michelle Obama was present, with Maria Shriver. Athletes Michael Phelps, Olympic gold medalist swimmer, Greg Louganis, diver, and basketball star, Yao Ming also attended the occasion. 500,000 people came to watch the opening.
The very first Special Olympics was initiated by President John Kennedy's sister, Eunice Kennedy Shriver in 1968. It intended to give intellectually-challenged athletes fuller lives by engaging them in sports. Special Olympics personify unified sports, training together and playing together towards friendship and understanding.
Lavigne is known for both her music and her tattoos. The pop punk singer has had 221 awards and 301 nominations. She has no less than 6 tattoos, which have its own media following because most of these are 'pair tattoos' she gets with her boyfriends, husband or special friends. Last April, she revealed she has been diagnosed with Lyme disease which has left her bedridden for some time. Lyme is an infectious disease that can cause expanding areas of redness, fever, headache and feeling of tiredness. If untreated, it can cause loss of ability to move and consistent joint pains.
