On 12 November 2008, the Special Olympics Flame of Hope was lit in Athens, Greece, formally launching the Global Law Enforcement Torch Run® (GLETR). The run is supported by DHL, the Official Transporter of the Flame of Hope for the 2009 Special Olympics World Winter Games.

 

The High Priestess, Maria Kotti, holding the Flame of Hope after it was lit by the sun's rays at the Zappeion Temple in Athens, Greece during the Official Lighting Ceremony for the Global Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics

 

Chip Fisher, CEO of the 2009 Special Olympics World Winter Games, hands the Flame of Hope to Kirk Grogan, Board Director, 2009 World Games & Special Olympics Athlete, to begin the Global Law Enforcement Torch Run for the 2009 Special Olympics World Winter Games in Idaho, USA

 

Kirk Grogan, Board Director, 2009 Special Olympics World Winter Games & Special Olympics Athlete, and Special Olympics Hellas Athlete Niki Talamaga lead the Global Law Enforcement Torch Run through the streets of Athens, Greece with the Zappeion Temple in the background

 

Special Olympics Athletes, law enforcement officers, DHL employees and volunteers all run with the Special Olympics Flame of Hope in Athens, Greece

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. At each stop the Flame will be carried by teams of law enforcement personnel, Special Olympic athletes and volunteers. 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.

 

Dr. Tim Shriver, Chairman of Special Olympics, holds the Flame of Hope in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. Dubai was the second stop of the Global Law Enforcement Torch Run

 

Members of the Global Law Enforcement Torch Run team carry the Flame of Hope through the streets of Dubai

 

Vice Prime Minister of Poland, Grzegorz Schetyna accepts Flame of Hope

On 10 January 2009, the Flame of Hope will reach Shanghai, China, the 2007 host of Special Olympics World Summer Games (SOWSG), which was the first SOWSG held in Asia, and the world' s largest sporting event ever, with More than 7,000 athletes from 169 countries participated.

On 28 January 2009, the Flame of Hope will reach Idaho, USA, and begin the Final Leg of the Global Law Enforcement Torch Run. It will reach Boise, Idaho on 7 February 2009 and be used to light the Cauldron to mark the official beginning of the 2009 Special Olympics World Winter Games.

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.