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| Ames will host the official Lighting of the Flame Ceremony for the 2010 Special Olympics USA National Games |
| Wednesday, May 05, 2010 |
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History will be made on Sunday, July 11 when the 2010 Law Enforcement Torch Run Final Leg will begin in Ames, Iowa. The official Lighting of the Flame Ceremony to begin the Final Leg is scheduled for 10:00 a.m. on Sunday, July 11 at Iowa State University in Ames, Iowa, the site of the first ever USA Special Olympics National Games in 2006.
Retired Chief Richard E. LaMunyon, of Wichita, KS, and founder of the Law Enforcement Torch Run made the announcement at today’s news conference. “It is with much pride and excitement that I inform you the 2010 Law Enforcement Torch Run Final Leg will begin in Ames,” said Chief LaMunyon.
LaMunyon said the Law Enforcement Torch Run Final Leg tradition is for law enforcement officers and Special Olympics athletes throughout the world. “They represent countries, providences, states, the Torch Run and the Special Olympics Program. They act as Guardians of the Flame® to carry the Special Olympics Torch and Flame of Hope™ to the Opening Ceremonies of the Special Olympics USA National Games and Special Olympics World Games,” he said.
The Torch Run event is called the Final Leg because it represents the culmination of Law Enforcement Torch Run (LETR) events that have occurred previously throughout the United States in 2010. The LETR Final Leg is not only a salute to the athletes from around the United States who will participate in the Final Leg and compete in the USA Special Olympics National Games, but also an honor for the participating law enforcement officers who comprise the Torch Run Final Leg Team.
LaMunyon stressed, “The Olympic flame symbolizes the light of spirit, knowledge and life. With identical power and majesty, the Special Olympics Flame of Hope, in the entrusted care of the law enforcement community, symbolizes the courage and celebration of diversity that the Special Olympics movement represents.”
The 2010 Final Leg Team (110 members strong) will be comprised of law enforcement runners, Special Olympics athletes, and Support Team members. Law Enforcement Officers have been chosen from Torch Run Programs in the United States. Jana Rooker from the Polk County Sherriff’s Office will be part of the Final Leg Team. Nine Special Olympics athletes will also be selected to be a part of the Final Leg Team in 2010.
SOIA Chair J. Elaine Hieber said, “It will be a new tradition that begins on July 11 and will continue for years to come prior to each USA Special Olympics National Games with the Lighting of the Flame Ceremony and the Torch send off.”
Hieber said, “The ceremony will have a heartfelt and symbolic meaning as much, if not greater than the lighting of the flame for the Olympic Games at the site of the ancient Olympics in Olympia, Greece.”
To symbolize the significant contribution of law enforcement and the inclusion of Special Olympics athletes in this unified Torch Run, the Final Leg Team will conduct extensive runs and ceremonies in 70 Nebraska communities to heighten awareness of Special Olympics and the National Games.
The Final Leg Team will safely deliver the Flame of Hope to the 2010 USA National Games Opening Ceremonies in Lincoln, Nebraska on July 18. Eighty-seven Special Olympics Iowa athletes from across the state will compete as part of Team Iowa during the National Games. Thirty coaches and support staff will accompany them.
The public is invited to attend the Lighting of the Flame Ceremony on the morning of Sunday, July 11 at the Iowa State Center Courtyard in Ames. The morning includes breakfast, the lighting of the flame and the official send-off.
Contributed by Special Olympics Iowa.
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