– Live coverage begins Saturday, July 25 at 9 p.m. ET on TSN2 with the star-studded Opening Ceremony –

– Opening Ceremony headlined by First Lady Michelle Obama, Jimmy Kimmel, Stevie Wonder, Cody Simpson, Avril Lavigne, Eva Longoria, and many more special guests –

– TSN’s programming lineup also includes a countdown special with Robin Roberts, 30 FOR 30: BRAVE IN THE ATTEMPT by Executive Producer Maria Shriver,
and nightly recap shows throughout the GAMES –

To tweet this release: http://bit.ly/1RQjNiM

TORONTO (July 22, 2015) – TSN, proud supporter of Special Olympics Canada since the network launched in 1984, will deliver expanded coverage of the SPECIAL OLYMPICS WORLD GAMES LOS ANGELES 2015 (#LA2015) – the largest sporting event held in the United States this year (based on participants) and the biggest in the city since the Los Angeles 1984 Olympic Games – as the event’s official Canadian media partner.

“We broadcast a vast array of world-class events but there is nothing quite like the Special Olympics.  They are a sincere reminder of the transformative power and joy of sport,” said Stewart Johnston, President of TSN. “We’re so proud to be a long-time ally of Special Olympics athletes and we wish the best of luck to Team Canada and the rest of the athletes in Los Angeles.”

Star-Studded Opening Ceremony
Live coverage begins Saturday, July 25 at 9 p.m. ET on TSN2 with the star-studded Opening Ceremony from the historic Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, site of the Olympic Games in 1932 and 1984. Host Robin Roberts, co-host of ABC’s GOOD MORNING AMERICA, is joined by ESPN’s Lindsay Czarniak and Kevin Negandhi for the three-hour event, which will feature a global parade of athletes, musical performances, and guest appearances. Headlining the Opening Ceremony are First Lady Michelle Obama, Jimmy Kimmel, Stevie Wonder, Cody Simpson, Avril Lavigne, Eva Longoria, and many more.

Programming Highlights
Along with live coverage of the Opening Ceremony, TSN’s programming lineup includes:

• COUNTDOWN TO THE SPECIAL OLYMPICS WORLD GAMESWITH ROBIN ROBERTS on Thursday, July 23 at 9 p.m. ET on TSN3, TSN4, and TSN5
• The 30 FOR 30film BRAVE IN THE ATTEMPT from Executive Producer Maria Shriver – whose mother Eunice Kennedy Shriver founded the Special Olympics in 1968 – on Monday, July 27 at 7:30 p.m. ET on TSN4 and TSN5
• Nightly highlight shows from July 27 to August 7 at 11 or 11:30 p.m. ET on TSN2, which will include interviews; athlete features, vignettes, and stories; a competition showcase; and recaps of key results from each day’s competition

In addition, SPORTSCENTRE and TSN.ca keep fans updated on key Team Canada performances and results throughout the week-long event.

By the Numbers via ESPN.com

Almost 50 years after the Special Olympics was founded, the renamed Special Olympics World Games will be the largest sporting event held in the United States this year (based on participants) and the biggest in Los Angeles since the 1984 Summer Olympics. Here's a look at some numbers behind the event and its growth through the years:

• International participation: Outside of the World Games, Special Olympics athletic competitions are held year-round worldwide. Since 2000, international athlete participation has increased 4.5 times. There have been 4.4 million worldwide participants as of 2013.
• World Games participation: The SPECIAL OLYMPICS WORLD GAMES LOS ANGELES 2015 will feature 2,000 coaches, 6,500 athletes, 30,000 volunteers, and an anticipated 500,000 spectators
• International events: In 2013, an average of 222 athletic competitions were held daily around the world, more than double the 2008 average of 90
• World Games events: Several locations around Los Angeles, including USC and UCLA, will combine to host 25 sports. While many of them are Olympic-style sports, there are also non-Olympic events such as bocce, bowling, and roller skating.
• World Games Inclusion: When Los Angeles hosts the World Games, athletes, coaches, and families from 177 countries will participate. Between Unified events, which pair Special Olympics athletes with able-bodied ones, and Special Olympics competition, 290 events will take place in L.A.

Broadcast Schedule*
Thursday, July 23

• 7:30 p.m. ET (TSN) – 2014 Special Olympics National Summer Games
• 9 p.m. ET (TSN3, TSN4, and TSN5) – Countdown to the Special Olympics World Games With Robin Roberts
• 11 p.m. ET (TSN2) – 2014 Special Olympics National Summer Games

Saturday, July 25

• 8:30 p.m. ET (TSN2) – 2014 Special Olympics National Summer Games
• 9 p.m. ET (TSN2) – Special Olympics World Games: Opening Ceremony

Sunday, July 26

• 11 p.m. ET (TSN2) – Special Olympics World Games: Highlight Show

Monday, July 27

• 7:30 p.m. ET (TSN4 and TSN5) – 30 for 30: Brave in the Attempt
• 11:30 p.m. ET (TSN2) – Special Olympics World Games: Highlight Show

Tuesday, July 28

• 11:30 p.m. ET (TSN2) – Special Olympics World Games: Highlight Show

Wednesday, July 29

• 11:30 p.m. ET (TSN2) – Special Olympics World Games: Highlight Show

Thursday, July 30

• 11:30 p.m. ET (TSN2) – Special Olympics World Games: Highlight Show

Friday, July 31

• 11:30 p.m. ET (TSN2) – Special Olympics World Games: Highlight Show 

Saturday, August 1

• 4 p.m. ET (TSN2) – Special Olympics World Games: Highlight Show
• 11:30 p.m. ET (TSN2) – Special Olympics World Games: Highlight Show

Friday, August 7

• 11 p.m. ET (TSN2) – Special Olympics World Games: Highlight Show

*Schedule subject to change