Photos:: Special Olympics opening ceremony

Former Olympic decathlon champion Rafer Johnson and Special Olympics athlete Destiny Sanchez hold the torch after lighting the calderon during the opening ceremony for the World Games at the Coliseum on Saturday.

First lady Michelle Obama helps open the Special Olympics World Games during the opening ceremony on Saturday at the Coliseum. Approximately 6,500 athletes from 165 countries will participate.

The Torch of Hope is brought to the stage during the opening ceremony for the Special Olympics World Games on Saturday at the Coliseum.

Stevie Wonder performs during the opening ceremony for the Special Olympics World Games on Saturday at the Coliseum.

Maria Shriver joins an African contingent as they walk onto the field for the opening ceremony of the Special Olympics World Games at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on Saturday.

Members of the Ivory Coast team enter the stadium for the opening ceremony of the Special Olympics World Games on Saturday at the Coliseum. There are athletes from 165 countries participating in the games.

The U.S. team enters the stadium among the throng of athletes and coaches during the Special Olympics World Games opening ceremony. The games will feature 6,500 competitors and 2,000 coaches.

American athletes and coaches enter the Coliseum during the opening ceremony for the Special Olympics World Games on Saturday. The weeklong games will be at various venues across Los Angeles.

Members of the U.S. team walk into the stadium for the opening ceremony of the Special Olympics World Games on Saturday at the Coliseum.

Members of the American team join athletes and coaches from 164 other countries at the Coliseum during the opening ceremony of the Special Olympics World Games.

Olympic gold medalist Michael Phelps watches the parade of athletes during the opening ceremony of the Special Olympics World Games on Saturday at the Coliseum.

Dancers enter the stadium for the opening ceremony of the Special Olympics World Games at the Coliseum on Saturday.

Members of the East Timor team take part in the opening ceremony of the Special Olympics World Games on Saturday at the Coliseum.

Dancers join the festivities during the opening ceremony of the Special Olympics World Games at the Coliseum on Saturday.

Gymnasts prepare to enter the stadium during the opening ceremony for the Special Olympics World Games on Saturday at the Coliseum.

A bird’s-eye view at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum during the opening ceremony of the 2015 Special Olympics World Games on Saturday. More than 60,000 attended the event.

Athletes and coaches from Denmark enter the Coliseum during the opening ceremony for the Special Olympics World Games on Saturday. More than 6,500 athletes and 2,000 coaches will participate in the weeklong games.

Team Greece walks into the stadium during the opening ceremony of the Special Olympics World Games on Saturday at the Coliseum. Athletes and coaches from 165 countries are on hand this week for the games.

Athletes and coaches from Australia wave to the crowd as they enter the Coliseum on Saturday during the opening ceremony of the Special Olympics World Games.

Performers on stilts prepare to walk into the stadium during the opening ceremony of the Special Olympics World Games on Saturday at the Coliseum.

The team from Greece makes its entrance during the opening ceremony of the Special Olympics World Games on Saturday at the Coliseum.

Performers take the stage during the opening ceremony for the Special Olympics World Games on Saturday at the Coliseum.

Performers walk into the stadium during the opening ceremony of the Special Olympics World Games on Saturday at the Coliseum.

Aubrie Robards, reigning Nevada Miss Amazing Jr., high-fives volunteer Kathy Goodwin before the opening ceremony of the 2015 Special Olympics World Games at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on Saturday.

Volunteer Kathy Goodwin greets people and gives them directions to their seats before the start of the opening ceremony of the Special Olympics World Games on Saturday at the Coliseum.

A cheerleader walks the red carpet after a performance before the opening ceremony Saturday for the Special Olympics World Games at the Coliseum. More than 60,000 are expected to attend the opening ceremony.

Young gymnasts warm up in the USC locker room at the Coliseum before the opening ceremony for the Special Olympics World Games on Saturday.

Young gymnasts loosen up in the USC locker room at the Coliseum in preparation for the opening ceremony of the Special Olympics World Games on Saturday.

Cheerleading teams that will participate in the opening ceremony for the Special Olympics World Games gather in the tunnel of the Coliseum. The World Games are expected to draw more than 6,500 athletes from 165 countries.

Cheerleading teams get ready in the tunnel before they perform during the opening ceremony for the Special Olympics World Games. Athletes will compete in 25 events at various venues in the Los Angeles area.

A colorful panorama unfolds before the participants in the opening ceremony for the Special Olympics World Games at the Coliseum on Saturday.