At the 2015 Special Olympics World Games, First Lady of the United States Michelle Obama talked about unity during her welcoming speech at the opening ceremony held in Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on Saturday, PEOPLE reports.
"We see it in the athletes - the amazing athletes - who give it their all, who lend a hand when somebody falls, who high-five and hug every one of their competitors," FLOTUS said. "We see it in the fans, in the families, the volunteers and coaches who are here to shower our athletes with love and support every step of the way."
"To all of our athletes, I just want you to know that all those people won't just be cheering for you, they're going to be learning from you," she added. "They're going to be inspired by you. And they'll be reminded that at our core, we all want the same things - a sense of pride in who we are, and a belief that we can reach our dreams no matter what challenges we face."
Michelle Obama opens the 2015 Special Olympics: "You're bringing us together" https://t.co/qtSAhpAKPy pic.twitter.com/FCGJtgl2s9
— People magazine (@people) July 26, 2015
The 51-year-old ended her speech saying, "let the 2015 Special Olympics World Games begin!"
Joining Mrs. Obama in the audience was former first daughter Caroline Kennedy, whose family was among the founders of the Special Olympics in 1968.
@FLOTUS #Michelle Obama Helps Kick Off the 2015 #SpecialOlympics https://t.co/RnJdRugfGS pic.twitter.com/6MtPs7w0AM — BET (@BET) July 26, 2015
The nine-day event gathered 6,500 athletes with disabilities from 165 countries around the world competing in 25 different sports events.
The organizers who also created the opening ceremonies in both London and Sochi Olympics presented musical performances by Stevie Wonder, Avril Lavigne, Nicole Scherzinger, O.A.R. and Cody Simpson, with celebrity appearances by actress Eva Longoria, talk show host Jimmy Kimmel, and NBA superstar Yao Ming.
Flag bearers at the ceremony were swimmer Michael Phelps, diver Greg Louganis and figure skater Michelle Kwan.
Phelps, who is currently the Olympian with the most number of medals, recently ran a swim clinic for American athletes in preparation for the Special Olympics.
