NEWARK, NJ - JUNE 15: Flame of Hope lights the 2014 Special Olympics USA Games Opening Ceremony at Prudential Center on June 15, 2014 in Newark, New Jersey. (Photo by Paul Zimmerman/Getty Images)Photo: Getty Images
Cleveland - A long tradition of the Special Olympics is the Law Enforcement Torch Run (LETR). Today it was announced that the run would make its way through Cleveland on May 21st.
Today, the 2022 Special Olympics USA Games, presented by Jersey Mike’s Subs, announced the Final Leg of the multi-state, two-week tour of the Law Enforcement Torch Run® (LETR) will run through Cleveland, including stops at Strawbridge Plaza and Progressive Field. Members of law enforcement and Special Olympics athletes will carry the ignited torch – the Flame of Hope – through major cities down the East Coast as they make their way to Orlando to light the custom-made cauldron during the Opening Ceremony for the USA Games.
“The final countdown to the 2022 Special Olympics USA Games begins with the Final Leg of the Law Enforcement Torch Run. We are excited to follow the Flame of Hope as it travels to the long-awaited Opening Ceremony in Orlando,” said Joe Dzaluk, president and CEO of the 2022 Special Olympics USA Games. “The Flame of Hope promotes the Special Olympics mission and symbolizes inclusion, courage and diversity. We invite the country to follow the torch on its way to Orlando where it will shine bright during the entirety of the USA Games.”
The LETR Final Leg begins its two-week journey in Chicago, IL., on Friday, May 20. 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 LETR Final Leg stops along the East Coast include New York City, Philadelphia, Washington D.C., Annapolis, Charlotte, Atlanta, Miami, Tampa and more.
The LETR destination stops in Cleveland include:
Saturday, May 21
Cleveland Strawbridge Plaza- Mall C 3:30 p.m.
Cleveland Progressive Field (on-field presentation at Guardians game) 5:40 p.m.
Jessica Stewart, Special Olympics Ohio CEO, stated, “I couldn’t be more thrilled to welcome the Law Enforcement Torch Run Final Leg team for our Special Olympics USA Games. It is truly an honor for all of us, especially the 20,000 athletes in Ohio, to have the Flame of Hope make its first stop in the great state of Ohio. As it makes its way to down to Opening Ceremonies, the torch will stop in over 46 locations on the journey down the east coast spreading excitement and awareness for Special Olympics and the 2022 USA Games. We are
tremendously excited that Team Ohio will be well represented with a delegation of 140 Special Olympics athletes, Unified Partners and coaches in Orlando on June 5th -12th. This is the largest delegation in Ohio’s history.”
During the Final Leg, six Special Olympics athletes will join the law enforcement personnel from across the country to safely deliver the Flame of Hope to Exploria Stadium on Sunday, June 5. The Flame of Hope will ignite a custom-made, never-before-seen cauldron during the Opening Ceremony, which will then reside at ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex for the duration of the USA Games.
The LETR is Special Olympics' largest grassroots fundraiser and public awareness vehicle in the world. Nearly 100,000 law enforcement members in all 50 U.S. states, 12 Canadian provinces/territories, and 44 countries annually contribute to LETR Guardians of the Flame®, ensuring the delivery of the Special Olympics Flame of Hope to the Opening Ceremony of local Special Olympics competitions, state/provincial Games, and national/regional Games.
The 2022 Special Olympics USA Games, presented by Jersey Mike’s Subs, will bring 5,500 athletes and coaches from all 50 states and the Caribbean to Florida for one of the country’s most cherished sporting events. The USA Games is hosted once every four years and, for the first time in its history, will have 19 Olympic-style team and individual sports and 30 events throughout the event. These USA Games will also celebrate the 50th anniversary of Special Olympics Florida.
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