Special Olympics Flame of Hope is lit

(Photo courtesy of Special Olympics Hellas and Photographer Charis Akriviadis). The Flame of Hope for the 2009 Special Olympics World Winter Games was lit on 12 November 2008 in Athens, Greece, formally launching the Global Law Enforcement Torch Run®. In keeping with Olympic tradition, the torch was lit by the sun's rays before embarking on a three-month journey around the world to Idaho, USA, the site of the World Games. From 12 November 2008 to 24 January 2009, the Flame of Hope will travel to 10 cities across five continents, honoring the spirit of the Special Olympics global movement and delivering a message of hope to communities where people with intellectual disabilities continue to fight for acceptance and a chance to excel without barriers. During the three-month journey, the flame will travel more than 60,000 kilometers (37,000 miles), before arriving in Idaho, USA where it will be used to ignite the cauldron at the Opening Ceremony of the World Winter Games on 7 February 2009. Special Olympics athlete Kirk Grogan leads the runners at the start of the Global Law Enforcement Torch Run in Athens, Greece.
This marks the second time Special Olympics and DHL have partnered to support the Global Torch Run. At each stop, the flame will be carried by teams of Special Olympics athletes and law enforcement personnel on a course allowing thousands of spectators to witness its important journey. Along the routes, the torch will visit schools, homes and institutions for individuals with intellectual disabilities to pay tribute to the courage, dedication and achievements of Special Olympics athletes worldwide in sport and life. At each stop, the flame will be carried by teams of Special Olympics athletes and law enforcement personnel on a course allowing thousands of spectators to witness its important journey. Along the routes, the torch will visit schools, homes and institutions for individuals with intellectual disabilities to pay tribute to the courage, dedication and achievements of Special Olympics athletes worldwide in sport and life.

"The Flame of Hope's historic trip around the world is symbolic of our global mission to deliver inspiration and hope to Special Olympics athletes and their families, break down barriers to equality that still exist, and create awareness for social change worldwide," said Timothy Shriver, Chairman of Special Olympics, who participated in the official lighting ceremony in Greece. "We are fortunate to be able to deliver the flame and everything it stands for hope, courage, opportunity, inspiration and equality to our athletes because of the experience and expertise of our partner in this initiative."

After being lit in Athens, the first stop for the torch will be in Dubai and Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. It will then continue around the world, making stops in Poland, Costa Rica, South Africa, India, China and three cities in the United States – Miami, New York and Los Angeles. On 27 January 2009 the flame will reach Idaho, USA, to begin the Law Enforcement Torch Run Final Leg® and where it will be run through scores of cities throughout Idaho before arriving at the Opening Ceremony for the World Winter Games on 7 February 2009.

"We are honored to once again be the official sponsors of the Global Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics, The spirit, motivation and drive of the athletes during the 2007 Torch Run for the Special Olympics World Summer Games in Shanghai was truly awe-inspiring," said Dan McHugh, Chief Executive Officer of DHL Express Asia Pacific. "By transporting the Flame of Hope, we seek to inspire communities around the world; foster acceptance, inclusion and create opportunities to celebrate the human race."

The 2009 Special Olympics World Winter Games in Idaho will host almost 3,000 athletes with intellectual disabilities from more than 100 countries from 7-13 February 2009. During the seven-day event, athletes will compete in seven winter sport events including: Alpine skiing, cross-country skiing, figure skating, floor hockey, snowboarding, snowshoeing and speed skating.

Source: http://www.specialolympics.org/