Twitterverse shines spotlight on World Games opening ceremony
— -- The Special Olympics World Games kicked off with Saturday night's opening ceremony at L.A. Coliseum. From the parade of nations to the lighting of the cauldron, here is how the Twitterverse weighed in on the star-studded event:
Getting ready
Many of the Special Olympics Global Ambassadors showed their support for the World Games:
The team is en route to Opening Ceremony! We can't wait to get @LA2015 started! #cheer4usa pic.twitter.com/cuzyVHJ1cL
- Special Olympics USA (@specialolyUSA) July 25, 2015
Mucha suerte a toda la delegación española en los @SpecialOlympics de @LA2015! A por todas!
- Pau Gasol (@paugasol) July 25, 2015
165 countries line up to file into the @lacoliseum for the opening ceremony of the @SpecialOlympics! pic.twitter.com/KgEGV3u8c9
- Jacki Bryk (@JackiBryk) July 26, 2015
On our way to la2015 Special Olympics Opening Ceremonies!! https://t.co/fl67c2cuHT
- Brooklyn Decker (@BrooklynDecker) July 25, 2015
Final rehearsal for Opening Ceremony. Soon these seats will be filled w/incredible athletes! @LA2015 9pm ET @ESPN. pic.twitter.com/j8n7wYsAhE
- Robin Roberts (@RobinRoberts) July 26, 2015
What a bunch #SpecialOlympicsWorldGames Opning Ceremony @knegandhiESPN @MartySmithESPN @JeremySchaap @DustinPlunkett pic.twitter.com/vNTjh1r8Ii
- Lindsay Czarniak (@lindsayczarniak) July 25, 2015
My cohost tonight @KNegandhiESPN is hot.... Literally. #SpecialOlympicsWorldGames pic.twitter.com/dPHBcOExtF
- Lindsay Czarniak (@lindsayczarniak) July 26, 2015
Please meet the coolest @SpecialOlympics Global Messenger #unifiedselfie @LA2015 pic.twitter.com/7szZQxErpN
- Michelle Kwan (@MichelleWKwan) July 26, 2015
The ceremony gets under way
From musical performances to the parade of nations, the party was getting started:
So proud of our athletes at the @SpecialOlympics! You're bringing us together and filling us with hope. USA! ???? -mo pic.twitter.com/zWSTpkRLlg
- The First Lady (@FLOTUS) July 26, 2015
Ready for the games to begin! Of course I'm marching with Egypt! @specialolympics @la2015 @devin_christian #la2015 pic.twitter.com/1TWcjjho5o
- Vanessa Williams (@VWOfficial) July 26, 2015
My buddy @CodySimpson and I are ready for @SpecialOlympics @LA2015 #SpecialOlympics pic.twitter.com/F3nqPpCMY1
- Lauren Potter (@TheLaurenPotter) July 26, 2015
excited to be part of @specialolympics thx u @jimmykimmel 4 hosting!Sgt.KenMelvin-loved swapping Afghanistan stories! pic.twitter.com/l2ZlaYhUhf
- maria menounos (@mariamenounos) July 26, 2015
Oh look, it's @officialmutombo in the @specialolympics parade! pic.twitter.com/xp6OshXArR
- Doha GOALS (@DohaGOALS) July 26, 2015
Even the Biebs was at the Coliseum!
Turn on @espn now! Let's to Canada!!! #SpecialOlympics pic.twitter.com/dH1RkWAiL1
- Justin Bieber (@justinbieber) July 26, 2015
Love it! #Triathlon debuts for the first time tomorrow at the @SpecialOlympics! #ReachUpLA #ShareTheJourney #LA2015 https://t.co/09zjj1DjgC
- Hunter Kemper (@hunterkemper) July 26, 2015
#OpeningCeremony #SpecialOlympics #LA2015 #athlete #inclusion #WorldGames #inspiration #motivation #USA ... http://t.co/GgQsgruTWv
- Terrell Owens (@terrellowens) July 25, 2015
Team Lavigne ! Here we come #SpecialOlympicsOpeningCeremony #SpecialOlympicsLA2015 https://t.co/jkzRaA25bq
- Avril Lavigne (@AvrilLavigne) July 26, 2015
Woo hoo!!! @la2015 #ReachUpLA #LetsChangeTheGame pic.twitter.com/dN61GjmjiB
- Maria Shriver (@mariashriver) July 26, 2015
Boxing great Oscar De La Hoya helps lead out @SpecialOlympics Mexico to a huge ovation at LA Coliseum. pic.twitter.com/A0E4TM45Oz
- SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) July 26, 2015
Hello Los Angeles, hello world!!! #SpecialOlympics #WorldGames @LA2015 pic.twitter.com/F3n4PGfUKJ
- Eva Longoria (@EvaLongoria) July 26, 2015
Watching the opening ceremonies for the @SpecialOlympics @LA2015 waiting to see the @specialolyUSA team! #Cheer4USA pic.twitter.com/P4knlLNdqK
- Kim Warren (@kimnariman) July 26, 2015
What d'ya say we throw Eunice Shriver on the ten dollar bill?
- Brooklyn Decker (@BrooklynDecker) July 26, 2015
Congrats to @djokernole for sponsoring the Serbian team for Special Olympics ..... Classy classy move... Can't wait for these games!
- andyroddick (@andyroddick) July 26, 2015
Thanks @SpecialOlympics & @espn for some great teaching moments for my kids tonight in our hometown.
- Pam Shriver (@PHShriver) July 26, 2015
1 of my favorite parts of today? Being with my family! #CousinsPhoto pic.twitter.com/wyfUP2sNno
- Maria Shriver (@mariashriver) July 26, 2015
"Special Olympics gave me the first chance to discover the talent I did not know I had." - @NFL superstar @jcharles25 of @KCChiefs #LA2015
- Special Olympics (@SpecialOlympics) July 26, 2015
Here comes Team USA ...
Heading into the Coliseum! #Cheer4USA pic.twitter.com/9EcdrBOYga
- Special Olympics USA (@specialolyUSA) July 26, 2015
What an honor and privilege it was to walk out with #teamusa at the #specialolympics tonight!!!... https://t.co/V4CS5GZk93
- Michael Phelps (@MichaelPhelps) July 26, 2015
Look who stopped by for a #unifiedselfie with the team!! Thank you @MichaelPhelps! #Cheer4USA #ReachUpLA pic.twitter.com/GqFFTXMGFh
- Special Olympics USA (@specialolyUSA) July 26, 2015
Amazing scene at LA Coliseum as @SpecialOlympics USA brings house down. USA! USA! USA! ???? pic.twitter.com/ktFCjw6KuS
- SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) July 26, 2015
"These Games show us we're all in this together & we can bring out the best in each other," @FLOTUS #LA2015
- Special Olympics (@SpecialOlympics) July 26, 2015