La Verne Hosts Special Olympics Athletes for World Games

After two days of warm hospitality and sightseeing in La Verne, 113 Special Olympics athletes from Pakistan and the Virgin Islands packed their bags, loaded onto buses and departed for Los Angeles to begin competing in the World Games.

The pit stop was short, but sweet, members of the group said.

“Everything was fabulous,” said Anis Ur Rehman, vice chairman of Special Olympics Pakistan team and cycling coach.

The athletes and their coaches had long journeys to get to Southern California. Pakistan’s teams flew 12 hours, and weather-related delays led to a 26-hour journey for the Virgin Islands delegation, who finally made it to the University of La Verne in the wee hours July 23.

“When we arrived, and they were up at 6:30 a.m. cheering for us, we felt like we were at home,” said Carol Mestemaker, coach and board member for the St. Thomas Special Olympics.

La Verne students gave athletes tours of the University, including training facilities.

Pakistan’s basketball team quickly settled in at La Verne’s court, practicing in preparation of eight days of competition in Los Angeles. La Verne’s Head Women’s Basketball Coach Julie Shaw stood on the sidelines to observe their coach’s methods.

“I need to use some of these drills with my team,” she said.

For most of the athletes, it was their first trip to the United States and for many, the first time on an airplane.

Athletes and coaches quickly identified similarities and differences between California and their homeland.

“The greenery, the trees and the aerial view of L.A. is like Islamabad,” said Pakistan basketball coach Saeed Ahmad.

For Ariel Turnbull, a member of the Virgin Islands team who is from St. Croix, seeing La Verne’s top-of-the-line track was a huge contrast to what is available for training back home. Turnbull is competing in the 100-meter dash and shot put in the games.

“I’m going to try my best, win or lose,” he said.

University of La Verne President Devorah Lieberman praised the delegations for making the trip, calling every athlete an inspiration to others.

“You can learn about cultural differences in a classroom but when you live it, which you are doing, there’s nothing better than that,” she said at a welcome celebration at Heritage Park.

The City of La Verne and University served as co-hosts for the Host Town Program. The event gives athletes an opportunity to get acclimated to new surroundings and a new time zone, but it also provides opportunities to train and sightsee.

Having a small break before competition is a great idea, said coach Daniyal Alvi.

“There’s lots of excitement,” he said. “The fact that they’re in a new place meeting new people is something very exciting for them. This Host Town is the perfect ice-breaker.”

Around 100 University and city officials, along with members of the community, gathered along D Street on Friday morning to bid the delegations farewell. Among the supporters were residents of Ability Pathways, an Upland group home organization that serves the disabled.

Michelle Clarke, president of the company, said it was a great moment for her because she attended the Special Olympics games in 1971 at UCLA. She did not want her clients to miss the opportunity to meet the athletes.

“It’s an incredible opportunity to reach across cultures,” she said. “A lot of our guys watch sporting events, but to meet the athletes – that’s a different story.”

One of Clarke’s clients, Todd Wilson, competed in the games several years ago in San Bernardino. He participated in the wheelchair race and ball-throwing competition. He relived those memories as he watched the Pakistan and Virgin Islands teams prepare to depart.

“I hope they win,” he said.

George Glasner, 74, who also lives at an Ability Pathways home, said his late wife competed in swimming in the Special Olympics. It is important to educate the public on the successes of people with disabilities, he said.

“It lets them know that we can do anything other people can do,” he said.