One local athlete will find herself not only representing herself, but her hometown and surrounding community when she competes at the Special Olympics World Games from July 25 to Aug. 2 in Los Angeles.
Caelyn Griffith, 20, of Culver City will be the sole Westside representative in the Artistic Gymnastic category, officials said.
This athletic spectacle draws 7,000 athletes from more than 177 countries and Griffith is one of 37 California athletes who will compete in the World Games, of which Kaiser Permanente is the founding champion and official health partner. Griffith is also a member of Kaiser Permanente West Los Angeles, which is one of the local Kaiser Permanente facilities that will provide medical support and care to the athletes.
“I’m excited to participate in the World Games because it’s a challenge to compete and the opportunity of a lifetime,” Griffith, who started in gymnastics more than 10 years ago as a way to improve her balance, said.
Over the years, Griffith said her balance has improved along with her self-esteem.
While floor routine is her favorite event, Griffith will be participating in the full gymnastics event rotation July 30-31 at the John Wooden Center of the University of California Los Angeles campus.
When Griffith is not at the gym, she said she loves to dance, play basketball, and watch football on TV. ??She is now working toward living independently. After the World Games, Griffith hopes to attend Taft College in Bakersfield.