Law enforcement officers representing 47 states, along with six Special Olympics athletes, make up the ‘Final Leg’ team
VANCOUVER — Law enforcement officers from across the nation will escort the “Flame of Hope” torch to the 2018 Special Olympics USA Games as part of the Law Enforcement Torch Run Final Leg (LETR).
Law enforcement officers representing 47 states, along with six Special Olympics athletes, make up the “Final Leg” team.
The “Flame of Hope” will make its way through Vancouver on Thu., June 28. Vancouver Mayor Anne McEnerny-Ogle and Vancouver Police Chief James McElvain will welcome the runners and present gifts to the athletes at the Final Leg Vancouver event:
Date: Thu., June 28, 2018 Time: 10:30 a.m. Location: Vancouver National Historic Reserve Gazebo (1100 block of Evergreen Blvd.) This event is open to the public.
Special Olympics ‘Flame of Hope’
The Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics is Special Olympics’ largest grassroots fundraiser and public awareness vehicle in the world. More than 100,000 law enforcement members in all 50 states, 12 Canadian provinces/territories, and 47 other countries contribute to LETR efforts annually as Guardians of the Flame, ensuring the delivery of the Special Olympics Flame of Hope to the Opening Ceremonies of local Special Olympics competitions, state/provincial Games, and national/regional Games.
“For more than 30 years, the Law Enforcement Torch Run has been an integral part of the Special Olympics Movement and we are thrilled to be the host state, and have our local law enforcement partners welcome the Final Leg Torch Runners to our beautiful state,” said Dave Lenox, Special Olympics Washington president and CEO. “We look forward to seeing Washingtonians cheer on the Final Leg Team as they bring the USA Games message of acceptance and inclusion throughout the state.”
About Law Enforcement Torch Run
The Law Enforcement Torch Run (LETR) is the largest public awareness vehicle and grassroots fundraiser for Special Olympics. Known honorably as Guardians of the Flame, law enforcement members and Special Olympics athletes carry the “ Flame of Hope ” into the Opening Ceremony of local competitions, and into Special Olympics State, Provincial, National, Regional and World Games.
Annually, more than 97,000 dedicated and compassionate law enforcement members carry the “Flame of Hope,” symbolizing courage and celebration of diversity uniting communities around the globe. Since inception, LETR has raised more than half a billion dollars and changed millions of attitudes.
About Special Olympics
Special Olympics is a global movement that unleashes the human spirit through the transformative power and joy of sports, every day around the world. The goal is to empower people with intellectual disabilities to become included and valued members of their communities, which leads to a more respectful and inclusive society for all. Using sports as the catalyst and programming around health and education, Special Olympics is fighting inactivity, injustice and intolerance.
Founded in 1968 by Eunice Kennedy Shriver, the Special Olympics movement has grown to more than 5.7 million athletes and Unified partners in 172 countries. With the support of more than 1 million coaches and volunteers, Special Olympics delivers 32 Olympic type sports and over 108,000 games and competitions throughout the year.
About the 2018 Special Olympics USA Games
The 2018 Special Olympics USA Games will be held in Seattle from July 1-6. More than 4,000 participants representing all 50 states and the District of Columbia, along with the support of tens of thousands of volunteers and spectators, will compete in 14 Olympic-type team and individual sports. The 2018 Special Olympics USA Games will celebrate the Special Olympics movement and its 50th anniversary; promote the ideals of acceptance and inclusion through sport; and showcase athletes from throughout the U.S. and the abilities of people with intellectual disabilities. The 2018 USA Games will also highlight Special Olympics’ work in sport, education, health and community-building.
For more information on the 2018 Final Leg and 2018 Special Olympics USA Games, visit: www.letr-finalleg.org/ or www.SpecialOlympicsUSAGames.org and follow on Facebook (@SpecialOlympicsUSAGames), Twitter (@2018USAGames) and Instagram (@SpecialOlympicsUSAGames).
