SPECIAL OLYMPICS FLAME OF HOPE TO BLAZE A TRAIL ACROSS EUROPE
Law Enforcement Torch Run is travelling across Nine European Countries Ahead of the 2010 Special Olympics European Games
Nine European capital cities and many more towns and communities will welcome the Special Olympics Law Enforcement Torch Run (LETR) as it makes it way to Warsaw, Poland for the 2010 Special Olympics European Summer Games, delivering a message of hope to communities where people with intellectual disabilities continue to fight for acceptance and inclusion in society.
Lit on September 5th in Alexandropoulos, Greece, the birth place of the Olympic movement, the ‘Flame of Hope’ will be carried by European law enforcement officers and Special Olympics athletes in a series of relays through Greece, Turkey, Slovenia, Gibraltar, Great Britain, France, Belgium and Luxembourg before finally arriving in Warsaw, Poland on September 18th for the opening ceremony of the 2010 Special Olympics European Summer Games.
According to Mary Davis, Managing Director of Special Olympics Europe/Eurasia: “The trip of the Flame of Hope across Europe is symbolic of our mission to deliver inspiration and hope to Special Olympics athletes and their families, break down barriers to equality, and create awareness for social change in every community. We are delighted to deliver the Flame and everything it stands for – hope, courage, opportunity, inspiration, and equality – to so many European cities and most importantly to our Special Olympics athletes.”
A 'Welcoming the Flame of Hope' ceremony will take place in the capital city of each country for people to open their arms and hearts to the Torch Run team while paying tribute to Special Olympics athletes from their community who will compete in the 2010 Special Olympics European Games.
The 2010 Special Olympics Law Enforcement Torch Run is being supported by the European Commission. Progress of the Torch Run can be tracked online through visiting www.specialolympics-eu.org/2010torchrun.
The Law Enforcement Torch Run is Special Olympics’ largest fundraising and awareness vehicle. The 2010 LETR will see the launch of the Special Olympics ‘Wear the Laces’ campaign where fans of Special Olympics will be asked to show their support by purchasing specially designed Special Olympics shoe laces (visit www.specialolympics.org/wearthelaces for more information).
More than 1,600 athletes with an intellectual disability from 58 countries will compete in the 2010 Special Olympics European Summer Games taking place from September 18-24, supported by 1,000 coaches, officials and more than 1,500 family members. For more information visit www.warsaw2010.org
ENDS
Contact:
Maureen Rabbitt
Communications Director, SOEE
mrabbitt@specialolympics.org