Global Law Enforcement Torch Run        Follow the Global Law Enforcement Torch Run: Athens, Greece (29 June 2007) Alexandria and Cairo, Egypt (2 July 2007) London, England (4 July 2007) Washington, DC (USA) (25 July 2007) Washington, DC (USA) (26 July 2007) Seoul, Korea (17 August 2007) Global Partner Special Olympics Law Enforcement Torch Run for the 2007 Special Olympics World Summer Games   Watch DHL's "Acceptance" television commercial  highlighting their partnership with Special Olympics. On 29 June 2007, the “Flame of Hope” for the 2007 Special Olympics World Summer Games was lit in Athens, Greece, officially launching the Global Law Enforcement Torch Run. Carried by a team of Special Olympics athletes and law enforcement officers through the streets of Athens, the torch began its global journey to the site of the World Games in Shanghai, China, supported by the expertise of Global Torch Run sponsor DHL, the world's leading express delivery and logistics company. The Global Torch Run is a pivotal event in the lead-up to the 2007 Special Olympics World Summer Games. While the Torch Run has been a Special Olympics tradition for more than 25 years, this marks the first time the “Flame of Hope” has traveled the globe in a single event. Transported via DHL's global logistics network and then carried by torch on the ground by teams of athletes and law enforcement personnel from around the world, the flame will travel more than 35,000 kilometers (22,000 miles), touching down on five continents over the next three months before arriving in Shanghai, where it will ignite the cauldron at the Opening Ceremony of the 2007 World Games on 2 October.  (Global Torch Run route map) The flame itself was lit just after 11 a.m. local time using the rays of the sun at the sacred site of Pnyx, located across from the Acropolis, in a ceremony hosted by Special Olympics Greece. The flame will next make its way to Egypt, where welcoming ceremonies and Torch Run celebrations will take place in Alexandria and Cairo. Other stops on the route will include London, Washington D.C., and a dozen cities throughout China as well as the 19 districts of Shanghai. A Chinese and Egyptian athlete carry the Flame of Hope through Azhar Park in Cairo, Egypt on 2 July 2007 as part of the Global Torch Run. “The Special Olympics movement provides a unique global platform for acceptance and inclusion, and the Flame of Hope's journey around the world is symbolic of our mission to not only give new hope to Special Olympics athletes and their families, but also to break down barriers and create awareness for social change around the world,” said Shriver. “We are pleased to be partnering with DHL to help us honor our athletes for their tremendous courage and commitment-on the field of play and in every aspect of their lives. We are also extremely appreciative for the continued commitment and support by the international law enforcement community on behalf of the Torch Run.” “DHL's sponsorship endorses Special Olympics as a catalyst for social change by promoting fair opportunities and supporting diversity, which is part of our corporate values,” said McHugh. “We hope to reinforce the spirit of determination, mental endurance and physical stamina among individuals, including our staff. Just as Special Olympics athletes triumph over all obstacles to compete on this world stage, DHL is committed to overcome logistics challenges to move the flame around the globe, sharing the vision of hope with the Special Olympics athletes.” Shanghai's Vice Mayor Mr. Zhou Taitong presents the First Lady of Egypt Mrs. Suzanne Mubarak a replica of the Torch as a gift of appreciation. Following the 2007 World Games, the “Flame of Hope” will reside at a DHL facility as a tribute to Special Olympics. DHL will also sponsor the Global Torch Run in 2009, when the “Flame of Hope” will again be lit in Athens and transported by DHL to the 2009 Special Olympics World Winter Games in Boise, Idaho, USA. The Law Enforcement Torch Run has been a Special Olympics tradition for more than 25 years. It began in 1981 when Wichita, Kansas, Police Chief Richard LaMunyon saw a need to raise funds and increase awareness for the organization, and conceived the Torch Run as a way to involve local law enforcement personnel in the community and to support  Special Olympics Kansas. The program was later adopted by the International Association of Chiefs of Police and under their support and leadership has expanded into all 50 U.S. states and to 35 nations. The Law Enforcement Torch Run is Special Olympics’ largest grass-roots fundraiser and public awareness vehicle; more than 85,000 law enforcement officers from around the world volunteer for the movement.