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Irvine welcomes Korean Special Olympics team with parade

July 23, 2015
The South Korean Special Olympics team poses with Irvine Mayor Steven Choi after a welcome parade Wednesday afternoon outside Spectrum Center.

The South Korean Special Olympics team poses with Irvine Mayor Steven Choi after a welcome parade Wednesday afternoon outside Spectrum Center.

By The Korea Times Orange County staff

Irvine, the host city to the South Korean Special Olympics team, welcomed athletes and staff with a parade at Spectrum Center Wednesday afternoon.

The Irvine Host Town Committee hoisted a banner in Korean greeting the team and invited a traditional samulnori group to perform.

Steven Choi, city mayor, said he was glad to see the Korean team as city host.

“Thanks to the city of Irvine’s dedicated and large welcome, it feels like we’ve arrived in a second home,” said Park Ki-jong, team manager. “I think this welcome will give our athletes a lot of strength and help them make beautiful memories and results here.”

Lissa Pestolesi, head of the Host Town Committee, said more than 100 volunteers helped put together the event. The goal of the parade was to introduce the community to athletes and show them the city’s culture and social activity.

“I’m excited to be in America, and I’m thankful and happy that so many Koreans came out to greet us,” said Lee Jae-gyun, a volleyball player who will participate in the games. “I want to thank them by working hard to win gold.”

The Special Olympics World Games will see about 7,000 athletes from 177 countries compete around the city in 24 sports.

Irvine locals gathered Wednesday afternoon to welcome the South Korean Special Olympics team to the city, a host town.

Irvine locals gathered Wednesday afternoon to welcome the South Korean Special Olympics team to the city, a host town.