Carly Rae Jepsen to Headline LA2015 Special Olympics World Games Closing Ceremony

Today, the 2015 Special Olympics World Games Los Angeles (LA2015) announced multi-platinum GRAMMY nominated singer and songwriter Carly Rae Jepsen, American rock band O.A.R. and singer and songwriter Andra Day as headliners for the World Games' Closing Ceremony on August 2, 2015 at 6:00 p.m. PT at the historic Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. ESPN's Victoria Arlen and Special Olympics International Global Messenger David Egan will help close out the festivities for the more than 6,500 athletes from 165 countries, more than 5,000 family members of competing athletes, 10,000 volunteers and spectators.

"We are truly blessed to have had the opportunity to gather over the past nine days of the Games to watch the world 'Reach Up' for this momentous occasion," said Patrick McClenahan, President and CEO for LA2015, the Games Organizing Committee. "The Closing Ceremony is our chance to celebrate the accomplishments of all of our competing athletes, as well as the countless families, volunteers, Host Town communities and corporate partners that made these World Games possible. These Games have been life-changing and we hope that this will only be a spark that will light the world on fire with the enthusiasm, courage, and acceptance and inclusion for all people with intellectual disabilities."

As a postlude from the crowd-thrilling performance of Coca Cola's "Reach Up" song in collaboration with Cody Simpson at the Opening Ceremony, multi-platinum rock band O.A.R. will return for an encore performance that will include hits such as "Peace", "Shattered", "Heaven", "Love and Memories", and many more.

"It is inspiring to see the thousands of athletes, families, coaches, volunteers and supporters who have gathered from around the world," said Carly Rae Jepsen." It is a true honor to perform in front of such an amazing audience."

"Being able to perform at both the Opening and Closing Ceremonies of the 2015 Special Olympics World Games has been an incredible experience for us to see the unity from around the world," said Marc Roberge, Frontman of O.A.R. "We are honored to be part of these World Games and hope that we can continue to inspire more fans to embrace acceptance and inclusion for all."

"I am honored and truly blessed to be a part of the Special Olympics World Games Closing Ceremony", said Andra Day. "The dedication and sacrifice of these athletes, their families, and their coaching staff is inspiring."

"I am incredibly honored to be a part of such a world-changing event and to be able to work with such an amazing team," said Victoria Arlen. "It has been so inspiring to cover these Special Olympics athletes and the World Games for ESPN."

Closing Ceremony tickets are available - while supplies last - at the World Games Festivals on USC and UCLA campuses today through Sunday, August 2 before 12:00 p.m. PT when the festivals close. Please see the Closing Ceremony Ticket Booth at each festival for more information.

About the 2015 Special Olympics World Games Los Angeles 2015 (LA2015)
With 6,500 athletes and 2,000 coaches representing 165 countries, along with 30,000 volunteers and an anticipated 500,000 spectators, the 2015 Special Olympics World Games - being staged in Los Angeles July 25 - August 2, 2015 - will be the largest sports and humanitarian event anywhere in the world in 2015, and the single biggest event in Los Angeles since the 1984 Olympic Games. The 2015 Special Olympics World Games, with the unparalleled spirit, enthusiasm, teamwork, joy and displays of courage and skill that are hallmarks of all Special Olympics events, will feature 25 Olympic-style sports in venues throughout the Los Angeles region. The Opening Ceremony, to be held July 25, 2015 in the historic Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, site of the 1932 and 1984 Olympic Games, is expected to attract 50,000 spectators. For more information on the 2015 Special Olympics World Games, including volunteer and sponsorship opportunities, visit www.LA2015.org and on social with #ReachUpLA on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

About Special Olympics
Special Olympics is a global movement that unleashes the human spirit through the transformative power and joy of sports, every day around the world. We empower people with intellectual disabilities to become accepted and valued members of their communities, which leads to a more respectful and inclusive society for all. Using sports as the catalyst and programming around health and education, Special Olympics is fighting inactivity, injustice and intolerance. Founded in 1968 by Eunice Kennedy Shriver, the Special Olympics movement has grown to more than 4.5 million athletes in 170 countries. With the support of more than 1.4 million coaches and volunteers, Special Olympics delivers 32 Olympic-type sports and more than 94,000 games and competitions throughout the year. Special Olympics is supported by individuals, foundations and partners, including the Christmas Records Trust, the Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics, The Coca-Cola Company, The Walt Disney Company and ESPN, Microsoft, Lions Clubs International, Toys"R"Us, Mattel, P&G, Bank of America, Essilor Vision Foundation, the B. Thomas Golisano Foundation, Finish Line, The Safeway Foundation, and Safilo Group. Visit Special Olympics at www.specialolympics.org. Engage with us on: Twitter @specialolympics, fb.com/specialolympics, youtube.com/specialolympicshq, instagram.com/specialolympics and specialolympicsblog.wordpress.com.

About Carly Rae Jepsen
Multi-platinum, GRAMMY-nominated singer-songwriter Carly Rae Jepsen will release her new album E·MO·TION on August 21st via Schoolboy Records/Interscope. Jepsen recently premiered the video for her brand new single "Run Away With Me" check it out HERE. The first single released from the album, "I Really Like You," became a global Top 40 hit and earned a host of positive reviews from such outlets as SPIN, People, TIME, Nylon, Rolling Stone, Complex, Paper and more. Stereogum calls E·MO·TION, which is already out in Japan, "pretty much the best pop album to come out so far this year." E·MO·TION is the follow-up to Jepsen's U.S. debut album Kiss, which featured her blockbuster break-out hit "Call Me Maybe." The single climbed to No. 1 on the iTunes Singles charts in over 47 countries and has sold over 18 million singles worldwide to date. It earned Jepsen 2012 GRAMMY nominations for Best Pop Solo Performance and Song of the Year. Kiss also spawned the follow-up hit "Good Time," a duet with Owl City, which has been certified double-platinum. Jepsen spent much of 2014 starring in the reviews.

About O.A.R.
O.A.R. first began to develop their unique sound while in high school in Rockville, Maryland. With three albums under their belt before they finished college, the band began pursuing their musical dreams full time in the summer of 2001. By the end of 2008, the band had released six studio albums and three live double disc CDs. To date O.A.R. has sold close to 2 million albums and more than 2 million concert tickets, including two sold-out shows at New York City's Madison Square Garden and Red Rocks Amphitheater in Colorado. In 2011, the band released the album, King, which debuted at No. 12 on the Billboard 200 chart, No. 3 on the Billboard Digital Album Chart, and was No. 3 at iTunes. King was the follow-up to the band's 2008 release, All Sides, which contains the platinum hit single "Shattered." The band's current album, The Rockville LP, debuted at #1 on the Billboard Independent Albums chart and #6 on the Top Current Rock Albums chart. Upon its release on June 10th, The Rockville LP hit the top spot on the iTunes Rock Albums chart and #3 on iTunes Overall Albums chart. The album features the songs "Favorite Song", "Two Hands Up" and smash hit, "Peace". The band will kick-off their Summer tour in August. For more information visit www.ofarevolution.com.

About Andra Day
With a vintage flair and voice for the ages, Andra Day has perfected her "retro-pop-soul" sound and is ready to share it with the world. Andra's debut album, Cheers To The Fall, is "a biography in the form of soul music," a candid 13-song tale about "truth, fearlessness, vulnerability, forgiveness and love." Her alluring, powerful alto has inspired comparisons to Amy Winehouse and Adele, and she has been described as "possessed by the ghost of Billie Holiday." Her debut album arrives in stores on August 28th via Warner Bros. Records/Buskin.

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