- California Assembly OKs highest minimum wage in nation
- S. Korea unveils first graphic cigarette warnings
- US joins with South Korea, Japan in bid to deter North Korea
- LPGA golfer Chun In-gee finally back in action
- S. Korea won’t be top seed in final World Cup qualification round
- US men’s soccer misses 2nd straight Olympics
- US back on track in qualifying with 4-0 win over Guatemala
- High-intensity workout injuries spawn cottage industry
- CDC expands range of Zika mosquitoes into parts of Northeast
- Who knew? ‘The Walking Dead’ is helping families connect
Irvine welcomes Korean Special Olympics team with parade
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.