{"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"NewsArticle","contentId":"00000175-99ed-d55f-ab7f-dbfd278f0002","url":"https://www.aboutamazon.com/news/community/in-photos-special-olympics-closing-ceremony","headline":"In photos: Special Olympics closing ceremony","description":"The spirit of inclusion was out in full force in Seattle, to celebrate the 2018 USA Games wrap.","datePublished":"2018-07-10T18:50:35.105Z","dateModified":"2018-07-10T18:50:35.105Z","image":{"@type":"ImageObject","url":"https://assets.aboutamazon.com/dims4/default/c20c9ca/2147483647/strip/true/crop/1320x660+0+79/resize/1200x600!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets.aboutamazon.com%2Fba%2F44%2F8dd0ae674c79b69994045de8187a%2Famazon-smile-og.jpeg","width":"1200","height":"600"},"articleBody":"# In photos: Special Olympics closing ceremony\n\n*The spirit of inclusion was out in full force in Seattle, to celebrate the 2018 USA Games wrap. *\n\nThe 2018 Special Olympics USA Games just wrapped up in Seattle. The USA Games, which take place every four years, drew over 4,000 athletes, their families, and coaches from all 50 states and the District of Columbia to compete in 14 Olympic sporting events throughout this week.\n\nAmazon was proud to be the presenting sponsor of the Closing Ceremony, which took place in Seattle's Lake Union Park. It was an incredible evening celebrating the spirit of inclusion of the USA Games and the amazing accomplishments of these extraordinary athletes.\n\nSee other ways Amazon [supported the USA Games,](https://www.aboutamazon.com/news/community/three-ways-you-can-support-the-special-olympics-usa-games) learn how [Amazon works with a non-profit to help people with disabilities find and keep jobs](https://www.aboutamazon.com/news/community/why-we-choose-to-include), and find out [why the Special Olympics are especially meaningful for this Amazon family](https://www.aboutamazon.com/news/community/the-journey-to-acceptance-and-independence). \n\n![Special Olympics athletes and closing ceremony attendees celebrate. Many people looking toward the stage, with a male athlete giving thumbs up while smiling. ](https://assets.aboutamazon.com/dims4/default/4a5e8f9/2147483647/strip/true/crop/2000x1333+0+0/resize/767x511!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets.aboutamazon.com%2F91%2F28%2Ffe7d0eea498c8f52fdfa4c2c6506%2F20180706specialolympicsceremony-blog-01.jpg)\nUSA Games athletes celebrate at the Closing Ceremony, presented by Amazon.\n\n![The 2018 Special Olympics USA Games closing ceremony stage. Seattle band \"Hey Marseilles\" performs (in the photo, a singer, bass player, keyboardist and electric guitarist), with a crowd of individuals in front of the stage. ](https://assets.aboutamazon.com/dims4/default/2f826e8/2147483647/strip/true/crop/2000x1334+0+0/resize/767x512!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets.aboutamazon.com%2F5a%2F24%2F562b4a314488b2ff2fec91e4dd58%2F20180706specialolympicsceremony-blog-02.jpg)\nSeattle band Hey Marseilles perform at the USA Games closing ceremony.\n\n![Two Special Olympics USA Games athletes (a male and female, both in red shirts) dance in the foreground, volunteers are seen standing in the background.](https://assets.aboutamazon.com/dims4/default/041efea/2147483647/strip/true/crop/2000x1333+0+0/resize/767x511!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets.aboutamazon.com%2Ff2%2F25%2Fb917b94d4f26bad815c6542748f8%2F20180706specialolympicsceremony-blog-03.jpg)\nLots of smiles at the closing ceremony, presented by Amazon.\n\n![2018 Special Olympics USA Games athletes cheer at the closing ceremony. Many of the atheletes are seen holding their arms up, above the head, with fingers touching. Other individuals are clapping. ](https://assets.aboutamazon.com/dims4/default/9fc703d/2147483647/strip/true/crop/2000x1334+0+0/resize/767x512!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets.aboutamazon.com%2F8e%2F63%2Fcfbd0afe4978a273b096557c91d7%2F20180706specialolympicsceremony-blog-04.jpg)\nUSA Games athletes and attendees cheer at the closing ceremony.\n\n![The Community Banana Stand is shown in the foreground of this photo, with stacks of bananas available for attendees, for free, attended by two \"bananistas.\" In the background, event attendees are seen walking and standing. ](https://assets.aboutamazon.com/dims4/default/1999a7b/2147483647/strip/true/crop/2000x1333+0+0/resize/767x511!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets.aboutamazon.com%2F23%2F59%2F48a146c640029bac8955ba94f018%2F20180706specialolympicsceremony-blog-05.jpg)\nThe Community Banana Stand distributed thousands of bananas to USA Games athletes, their friends, and family members at the closing ceremony.\n\n![A high five is given at the Special Olympics closing ceremony. To make the high-five happen, a woman is jumping up to reach the hand of a male volunteer's hand.](https://assets.aboutamazon.com/dims4/default/cc6eee1/2147483647/strip/true/crop/2000x1333+0+0/resize/767x511!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets.aboutamazon.com%2Ff7%2F9d%2F2ff3d7294e9286c3b65af8b8bd4c%2F20180706specialolympicsceremony-blog-06.jpg)\nHigh fives at the USA Games closing ceremony.\n\n![A Special Olympics athlete (male) poses for a photo with a female, behind the USA Games logo.  Part of the Seattle skyline is visible in the background.](https://assets.aboutamazon.com/dims4/default/c62f73f/2147483647/strip/true/crop/2000x1333+0+0/resize/767x511!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets.aboutamazon.com%2F1d%2Fd8%2F1cdcf7aa4427af7b62e56cade482%2F20180706specialolympicsceremony-blog-07.jpg)\nUSA Games athletes and their family and friends posed for lots of pictures at the closing ceremony.\n\n![Special Olympics athletes are seen in the foreground and background, as they carry the ceremonial Special Olympics flag during the closing ceremony. Many of the athletes are wearing medals from the games, in the photo. ](https://assets.aboutamazon.com/dims4/default/8757240/2147483647/strip/true/crop/2000x1333+0+0/resize/767x511!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets.aboutamazon.com%2F2b%2Fad%2Fa1fca4124153944e1975a2c80c18%2F20180706specialolympicsceremony-blog-08.jpg)\nUSA Games athletes carry the ceremonial Special Olympics flag at the closing ceremony.\n\n![\"Rise with us\" sign for the Special Olympics USA Games, set on a hillside in Seattle. The purple letters are shown with more than a dozen Amazon employee volunteers waving and smiling, as they welcome athletes to the closing ceremony.](https://assets.aboutamazon.com/dims4/default/0eb29e4/2147483647/strip/true/crop/2000x1333+0+0/resize/767x511!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets.aboutamazon.com%2F86%2F7c%2F6a480cd342b1bc9de301e77057bd%2F20180706specialolympicsceremony-blog-10.jpg)\nAmazon employee volunteers welcome USA Games athletes to the closing ceremony.\n\n![Two male closing ceremony attendees appear to jokingly \"face off\" as they face one-another.](https://assets.aboutamazon.com/dims4/default/fea9c0a/2147483647/strip/true/crop/2000x1333+0+0/resize/767x511!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets.aboutamazon.com%2Fc3%2F62%2Fdb42be9049069f6f4a5a0e43ce85%2F20180706specialolympicsceremony-blog-11.jpg)\nUSA Games athletes and their families celebrated at the closing ceremony.\n\n![A Special Olympics USA Games athlete posts with event performers at the closing ceremony. The female athlete is wearing medals from the Special Olympics, while the performers include three stilt walkers (the two females are wearing elaborate headpieces), a juggler, and others in apparel (with lots of glitter, fringe and cutouts) that suggests a circus-themed show. ](https://assets.aboutamazon.com/dims4/default/74933a7/2147483647/strip/true/crop/2000x1333+0+0/resize/767x511!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets.aboutamazon.com%2Fba%2F2c%2F523153d44d83aeac8feec882757b%2F20180706specialolympicsceremony-blog-12.jpg)\nUSA Games athlete celebrates with event performers at the closing ceremony.\n\n![Special Olympics attendees are watching the closing ceremony festivities. In the photo, attendees are looking upward. A man embraces a woman and a younger man, as they all look skyward. ](https://assets.aboutamazon.com/dims4/default/ad6e8dd/2147483647/strip/true/crop/2000x1333+0+0/resize/767x511!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets.aboutamazon.com%2F97%2Fed%2F25e1a9bd4e2285a69e5296cdbf76%2F20180706specialolympicsceremony-blog-13.jpg)\nUSA Games athletes and their families celebrated at the closing ceremony.\n\n![A man embraces another male, while celebrating the USA Games closing ceremony. In the background, more event attendees appear to celebrate, with a stage setup in the distance. ](https://assets.aboutamazon.com/dims4/default/6fbc682/2147483647/strip/true/crop/2000x1333+0+0/resize/767x511!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets.aboutamazon.com%2F62%2F2f%2Fc9a9876643438ff824e2b9fecf07%2F20180706specialolympicsceremony-blog-14.jpg)\nLots of congratulatory hugs at the closing ceremony.\n\n![On stage, ESPN’s Kenny Mayne appears to be readying to take the microphone to speak during the USA Games closing ceremony. Next to him, Special Olympian Ali Riddick is speaking to Mayne and the audience, while wearing medals from the Special Olympics. ](https://assets.aboutamazon.com/dims4/default/2188e7a/2147483647/strip/true/crop/2000x1333+0+0/resize/767x511!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets.aboutamazon.com%2F4c%2Fdb%2Fd23d6793492aa54f0bea68ab147a%2F20180706specialolympicsceremony-blog-15.jpg)\nESPN’s Kenny Mayne talks to Special Olympian Ali Riddick on stage at the USA Games closing ceremony.\n\n![Three members of the Amazon Symphony Orchestra are seen playing their cellos. Each wears a black tee shirt, and stands behind a music stand. Behind the musicians, a crowd of attendees is visible.](https://assets.aboutamazon.com/dims4/default/7153b32/2147483647/strip/true/crop/2000x1333+0+0/resize/767x511!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets.aboutamazon.com%2F0f%2Fc4%2Fd25f58474e329b13f583d741c60b%2F20180706specialolympicsceremony-blog-16.jpg)\nMembers of the Amazon Symphony Orchestra perform at the USA Games closing ceremony.\n\n![In front of a clear, blue sky, with a few buildings and cranes visible, the Amazon Symphony Orchestra performs at the closing ceremony. In this image, a conductor is seen on a platform, surrounded by orchestra members with string-based instruments. ](https://assets.aboutamazon.com/dims4/default/f4eb2be/2147483647/strip/true/crop/2000x1333+0+0/resize/767x511!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets.aboutamazon.com%2Ff2%2F34%2F025d31ca43efa04350e13a541f38%2F20180706specialolympicsceremony-blog-17.jpg)\nThe Amazon Symphony Orchestra performs at the USA Games closing ceremony.\n\n![Special Olympics athletes and attendees from Virginia appear to lead a group of others. Two smiling males are in the foreground, seeming to be moving forward. In the middle ground, two other individuals wearing \"Special Olympics Virginia\" shirts are facing the same direction. In the background, more attendees are seen.](https://assets.aboutamazon.com/dims4/default/b18b51a/2147483647/strip/true/crop/2000x1333+0+0/resize/767x511!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets.aboutamazon.com%2Fd6%2F3d%2F30949a5345adad73ae2072fbeb93%2F20180706specialolympicsceremony-blog-18.jpg)\nUSA Games athletes and their families celebrated at the closing ceremony, presented by Amazon.\n\n![A man in a red tee shirt and sunglasses works at the Treasure Truck, handing out exclusive trading pins to athletes at the closing ceremony. The Treasure Truck is surrounded by people wearing Special Olympics clothing and lanyards. ](https://assets.aboutamazon.com/dims4/default/0838c52/2147483647/strip/true/crop/2000x1333+0+0/resize/767x511!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets.aboutamazon.com%2F43%2Fe7%2F4c02acd9402dbe444129d71bf985%2F20180706specialolympicsceremony-blog-19.jpg)\nAmazon’s Treasure Truck distributes exclusive trading pins to athletes at the closing ceremony.\n\n![Male athletes seen carrying the ceremonial Special Olympics flag. Athletes are seen holding the flag on the outer edges, while carrying it toward a destination. The athlete in the foreground is smiling while holding the flag with both hands. The second athlete is looking upward while holding onto the flag, while other athletes are seen behind him. The flag extends behind the first two athletes by several feet. Event attendees are watching, in the background. ](https://assets.aboutamazon.com/dims4/default/90521f6/2147483647/strip/true/crop/2000x1333+0+0/resize/767x511!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets.aboutamazon.com%2Fa8%2F2d%2Fdf791e83407dae4a28f430f8f128%2F20180706specialolympicsceremony-blog-20.jpg)\nUSA Games athletes carry the ceremonial Special Olympics flag at the closing ceremony.\n\n![Dozens of Amazonians in purple tees, pose on a hillside with giant letters that spell out \"rise with us,\" in support of the Special Olympics USA Games in Seattle, Washington. ](https://assets.aboutamazon.com/dims4/default/6ca275c/2147483647/strip/true/crop/2000x1334+0+0/resize/767x512!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets.aboutamazon.com%2Fbe%2Ff4%2Fa39868574685ad18e6d1a3dadaa5%2F20180706specialolympicsceremony-blog-21.JPG)\nHundreds of Amazonians get ready to volunteer at the USA Games closing ceremony.","publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"About Amazon","url":"https://www.aboutamazon.com","sameAs":["https://x.com/amazonnews","https://www.linkedin.com/company/amazon","https://www.instagram.com/amazonnews"],"logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","url":"https://assets.aboutamazon.com/bd/8f/88e7b0314cc2bd05b9de3155a0fe/amazon-news.svg"},"parentOrganization":{"@type":"Organization","name":"Amazon","url":"https://www.amazon.com","sameAs":["https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q3884","https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amazon_(company)","https://x.com/Amazon"]}}}