On 12 November 2008, in Athens, Greece, law enforcement officers from around the world joined athletes as the torch was lit for the biggest Law Enforcement Torch Run® of all – the global run that traverses five continents on its path to the Opening Ceremony at the 2009 World Winter Games in Boise, Idaho, USA.
The Flame of Hope is lit in Athens to start the Global Law Enforcement Torch Run. Photo by Charis Akriviadis
The Flame of Hope™ will travel more than 60,000 kilometers (37,000 miles) to 13 cities across five continents until it reaches the Opening Ceremony on 7 February 2009. Rain or shine, hundreds of feet will pound the pavement and dirt paths together, traversing thousands of miles, delivering the message of hope to communities where people with intellectual disabilities continue to fight for acceptance and a chance to excel without barriers. View the Global Torch Run slideshow.
For over 25 years, the international law enforcement community has been a proud and committed supporter of Special Olympics. Year-round, the Torch Run initiative conducts fundraisers and awareness vehicles in support of the movement. In 2008 alone, 85,000 law enforcement officers carried the Flame of Hope across 35 nations, raising $34 million for local Programs in every corner of the world. But, the Global Law Enforcement Torch Run, in advance of World Games, is the most famous and officers consider it an honor to be selected to accompany the Flame.
The 2009 Global Law Enforcement Torch Run event was made possible through DHL. “We are honored to once again be the official sponsors of the Global Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics," 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.”
Everywhere the Flame of Hope travels, whether for local, national or World Games, it is a powerful representation of the Special Olympics movement that burns brightly 365 days a year and our commitment to bringing hope and light to those who have none, wherever they may be. This year’s Global Torch Run will ignite more communities and inspire more people as it passes through 13 cities and eight nations on its way to the World Winter Games:
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| | Athens, Greece | 12 November 2008 | |
| | Abu Dhabi & Dubai, UAE | 14-15 November 2008 | |
| | Warsaw, Poland | 18 November 2008 | |
| | San Jose, Costa Rica | 23 – 25 November 2008 | |
| | Johannesburg, South Africa | 7 December 2008 | |
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When the Final Leg Team reaches its location and approaches the cauldron to signify the start of the Games, the attention and support of the local community can be overwhelming. So can the appreciation and respect of the athletes. Sergeant Sal Gerbino of Rochester, New York, USA, experienced such a revelation when he served as a Guardian of the Flame on the Torch Run Final Leg® to the World Games in Dublin, Ireland, in 2003:
"I was simply humbled. Humbled by the outpouring of support from the countless thousands of people from the 10 countries and 53 cities and towns that my team had run through. Humbled by the magnitude of the commitment ranging from the presidents and prime ministers of those countries all the way down through the ranks of my brothers and sisters in law enforcement and the citizens of those communities. Humbled by the reference of the athletes to us in their speeches as the worlds bravest protectors and as their heroes when, in fact, they have become our heroes, and we see them as the bravest."
Stay tuned as we follow the Flame of Hope around the globe and share with you each step of the journey. Throughout the run, we will bring you highlights, introduce you to the athletes, and hear from the officers as they bring hope to communities around the globe.
Special Olympics is grateful to the international law enforcement community and to our corporate partner DHL for making the Global Torch Run possible. Together, they are dedicated to moving the Flame of Hope around the world, allowing us to share the Special Olympics vision of unity, pride and acceptance with athletes, families and communities everywhere the flame travels.
Help support the efforts of the law enforcement community on behalf of Special Olympics. Contact your local office to learn more about events in your area. Everyone can play a role and help Special Olympics around the world.