Accommodation and transportation logistics gave been ironed out for the country’s participation at the 2015 World Summer Games, according to Lorna Bell, the executive director of Special Olympics Jamaica.

The Jamaicans are set to head off to the United States next Tuesday for the Special Olympics showpiece to be held in Los Angeles from July 25 to August 2.

“I want to thank all the persons who have helped us to get organised. The necessary plans have been put in place for a smooth process for our athletes and officials,” the executive director said.

“Sometimes unforeseen glitches may arise, but we are confident that we have so far implemented measures to lessen anything like that,” added Bell, who will operate as Jamaica’s head of delegation at the Games.

A total of 69 Jamaican athletes are set to compete at the 2015 Games in aquatics, basketball, badminton, volleyball,bocce, football, female futsal and athletics.

The 88-member delegation will be engaged in a four-day camp at the host town in Inglewood, California.

In the host town, the athletes will get the opportunity to train and acclimatisefor most of the disciplines. Some sessions are expected to be held at the Staple Centre in downtown Los Angeles.

Squads from New Zealand and United Arab Emirates were the first two to arrive in California.

US President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama are set to serve as honorary chairs for the Games which is expected to attract over 170 countries.

Special Olympics’ aim is to provide year-round sports training and competition in a variety of Olympic-type sports for children and adults with intellectual disabilities.

The disabilities can either be acquired or genetic and can include cases of Down’s Syndrome, autism, traumatic brain injury and cerebral palsy.

The programme offers these individuals the opportunity to develop physical fitness, experience joy, participate in a sharing of gifts, skills and friendship with their families and other Special Olympics athletes.

–Sanjay Myers