CHEERING FOR SPECIAL ATHLETES

LA JOLLA, Calif. –Club Tijuana Xoloitzcuintles de Caliente showed that it continues with its commitment to the community on both sides of the border. The Xoloitzcuintles were part of the San Diego Special Olympics Spring Games at La Jolla High Saturday May 17.

The team’s official mascot “Xolo Mayor” was at the sporting competition that featured more than 400 athletes with intellectual disabilities. The mascot mingled with the athletes, event sponsors, volunteers and family members, posing for photographs and even signing some autographs.

The Xolo Mayor welcomed the athletes, cheered and exchanged high fives during the Spring Games opening ceremonies. The athletes competed in basketball, swimming and other sports after they marched through an inflatable arch and forest of stretched out arms ready to high five them as they walked through a tunnel made up of volunteers ready to share a high five.

Special Olympics is a year-round worldwide program of sports training and athletic competition for all children and adults with intellectual disabilities. 

Athletes from San Diego, the Inland Empire and Orange County participated in the competition.

San Diego Special Olympics regional director Karen Terra talked about the importance of having this event for these athletes.

“People with intellectual disabilities who participate in our program have more self-esteem, develop a sense of community, develop friendships they are more likely to have a job and it gives them a sense of joy,” Terra said. “It’s very life changing for our athletes.”

Terra talked about having the Xolo Mayor present at the event.

 “(The athletes) are very excited to have the mascot here,” Terra said. “It makes their day when they have the support. The support from the community is what this is all about. It means the world to them to have the support from the Club Tijuana mascot. You can see it with the smile on their face.”