CLEVELAND — It's official: Cleveland has been chosen as the host city for the 2030 Special Olympics USA Games.

Administrators say the eight-day event is expected to bring in more than $70 million to the local economy.

"I'll say three words to sum up why we chose Cleveland, and that's people, passion, and pride," said Greg Epperson, the regional president and managing director for Special Olympics North America. "And that certainly, to me, defines what we have."

City and event leaders signed the contract Wednesday afternoon, marking what officials called a "historic moment" for Cleveland and for the Special Olympics Ohio community. Cleveland beat out several other cities in a highly competitive bidding process .

The Games are held every four years in major cities and feature more th

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