Special Olympics Florida athlete David Rams has been involved for over 20 years, participating in track and field, basketball, softball and just about anything that involves competition. Special Olympics Illinois athlete Aaron Drescher is a lifelong runner, multisport athlete and two-time USA Games gold medal winner. He was voted Homecoming King at his school, loves to run, enjoys math and video editing and is a great advocate for himself and others. Special Olympics Missouri athlete Brett Harper has participated in bowling and track and field for ten years. In 2020, USA Today named Arjun the “2020 Special Olympics Athlete of the Year for the Greater Atlanta Area.” He has completed 11 half marathons and is still counting. Special Olympics Georgia athlete Arjun Sharma has been involved for more than six years, competing in swimming, basketball and running. The 12-year sports star is also a leader off the field, having won multiple awards for raising awareness for people with intellectual disabilities. Special Olympics Southern California athlete Michael Leon is the “most decorated athlete” in his family, having earned dozens of medals. Her sporting highlight was her selection for the Wyoming team at the 2010 Special Olympics USA Games. She has also tried her hand in soccer, snowshoe, softball and cycling. Special Olympics Wyoming athlete Izzy Vijiila, who has been involved for 14 years, is currently participating in track and field and basketball. The Special Olympics athletes who will run as part of the Unified Final Leg Team are: Each athlete, together as a Unified Final Leg team, will join the Law Enforcement Torch Runners, and all will serve as Guardians of the Flame ® as they carry the Flame of Hope from city to city. Six Special Olympics athletes will join the Final Leg of the Run. The cauldron will then remain at ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex for the duration of the USA Games. The Flame of Hope will then ignite a custom-made, never-before-seen cauldron during the 2022 Special Olympics USA Games Opening Ceremony. This year’s tour will culminate with the Unified Final Leg team safely delivering the Flame of Hope to Exploria Stadium in Orlando, on Sunday, June 5.
“The torch will serve as a symbol of inclusion and hope during the USA Games, and we invite everyone to follow the Law Enforcement Torch Run as it makes its way through their cities on its way to ours.”įor over 40 years, the law enforcement community has served as a dedicated legion of protectors and supporters for Special Olympics.
We are honored to have such a tremendous team carrying the Flame of Hope to its final stop where it will shine bright during the entirety of the USA Games,” said Joe Dzaluk, President and CEO of the 2022 Special Olympics USA Games. "The 2022 Special Olympics USA Games are just a few short weeks away from kicking off in Orlando. The LETR Final Leg will stop in multiple cities along the East Coast, including New York City, Philadelphia, Washington D.C., Annapolis, Charlotte, Atlanta, Miami, and Tampa before arriving in Orlando. The Flame of Hope will be lit at Soldier Field, the birthplace of Special Olympics, from the eternal flame that burns there honoring the legacy of Eunice Kennedy Shriver.
The President of the Hellenic Republic Katerina Sakellaropoulou was present at the ceremony for the lighting of the Olympic Flame at Ancient Olympia on Monday.Īfter the end of the ceremony, the Greek President stated: “the lighting of the Olympic Flame at the sacred area of Ancient Olympic fills us with awe and pride.” She underlined that “the symbol of the spiritual light, the Olympic Flame, starting its voyage to the Winter Games in Beijing, carries the message of reconciliation between peoples, of peace and noble competition”.įinally, she thanked International Olympic Committee chief Thomas Bach for his strong support of the Olympic idea in order for the Olympic movement to contribute to the building of a better world through sports.The LETR Final Leg will begin its two-week journey in Chicago, IL, on Friday, May 20. President Sakellaropoulou attends the lighting of the Olympic Flame “In these difficult times we are still experiencing, the Winter Olympic Games in Beijing will be an important moment to bring the people close to a spirit of peace, friendship, and solidarity,” stated International Olympic Committee president Thomas Bach. The Olympic Flame was lit afternoon by the sun’s rays at the temple of Hera in Ancient Olympia.