Special Olympians from Kazakhstan get glimpse of the fast lane at entrepreneur’s car museum

A Fountain Valley entrepreneur pulled out all the stops Thursday to give a group of Special Olympians a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

Though San Pedro is the official host city for the athletes and coaches from Kazakhstan who are part of the Special Olympics World Games in Los Angeles, biomedical engineer Anthony Nobles invited the delegation to his private car museum in Fountain Valley and made the group’s first visit to the United States a memorable experience.

The 105-member group ate cheeseburgers and corn dogs while taking selfies with Nobles’ Ferraris, Lamborghinis and Formula 3000 race car. The athletes, who range in age from 10 to 30, also were treated to a full-service sundae bar and a petting zoo, which included an alpaca and a miniature horse.

“Their first experience here should be something where they feel welcome,” Nobles said. “They come here and don’t know what to expect, and we didn’t want them to just show up at a hotel and be a part of a hotel experience. We really wanted them to see something they’ll never see anywhere else in the world.”

Thursday’s event was no random act of kindness for Nobles. He recently formed a relationship with Kazakhstan, specifically Nazarbayev University. One of Nobles’ medical companies is working with biomedical engineering students there to create medical tools.

Kairat Umarov, the Kazakhstan ambassador to the United States, said Nobles is educating the students to help their country grow economically. The ambassador said Thursday’s outing was a great way to nurture the relationship between the United States and Kazakhstan.

“It helps the athletes feel the strengths and hospitality of America,” Umarov said.

With the help of interpreter Viktoriya Zakharova, Kazakhstan head coach Akzhigit Mermukanov said California is a beautiful place and that everyone is always smiling.

The 2015 World Games mark the 25th year that Kazakhstan has participated in the Special Olympics. Umarov said he is proud that his country continues to give athletes with special needs such unique opportunities.

“Kazakhstan is very much committed to provide these young kids the opportunity to compete and find their place in their life,” he said. “These are young people who have challenges every single day, and by participating in these types of events, they defeat their struggles and prejudices. They show the world that they can do more and win.”

The World Games started Saturday and continue through Aug. 2.