The president and first lady will serve as honorary chairs when the Special Olympics World Games return to the United States in 2015, organizers say.

President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama will lend their support to the international competition when the summer games are held in Los Angeles in two years.

“Michelle and I are so honored to serve as co-chairs of this inspiring event,” the president said in a video statement released Tuesday announcing the couple’s new role. “The athletes coming to these games represent the grit and determination that is at the very root of the American spirit. They keep working when the challenges seem greatest. They see opportunity where some see limitation.”

The games scheduled for July 25 through August 2, 2015 are expected to draw some 7,000 athletes with disabilities from 170 countries around the world in addition to 500,000 spectators. Organizers say it will be the largest event held in Los Angeles since the city hosted the Olympic Games in 1984.

Special Olympics holds alternating winter and summer world games every two years in locations around the globe.

The United States last played host to the world games in 2009 when winter games were held in Boise, Idaho. Los Angeles previously hosted the summer games in 1972.

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