Gov. Herbert to participate in Special Olympics Unified Relay Across America

The Independent

Utah Gov. Gary Herbert will be one of many participants supporting the first ever Special Olympics Unified Relay Across America as the Flame of Hope will be ran, walked, biked, or rolled through Utah in July on its way to the opening ceremony of the Special Olympics 2015 World Games in Los Angeles. Registration is now open to be a part of this historic event.

The U.S. portion of the Special Olympics Unified Relay Across America began on May 26, splitting into three simultaneous routes starting in Maine, Florida, and Washington, D.C. Traveling west, each route will become unified with the others in Los Angeles. Along each route, welcoming ceremonies and community celebrations will take place nightly. The Unified Relay will travel 896 miles across the state of Utah and hold community celebrations in Salt Lake City and St. George. The relay will culminate at the opening ceremony of the Special Olympics 2015 World Games in Los Angeles on July 25. ESPN will produce both the opening ceremony live as well as a nightly highlights program throughout the nine-day event.

The Unified Relay gives everyone in the country a chance to carry the Flame of Hope that has been lit in Athens, Greece, and help deliver it to Los Angeles for the Special Olympics World Summer Games. Over the course of 46 days, through a hand-to-hand relay, thousands of participants are running, walking, biking, or wheeling segments of the trek through all 50 states.

Supporters will have the opportunity to run with the Flame of Hope by signing up as individual torchbearers or as teams for either a half-mile walk or run or a five-mile bike through an area of interest across the United States. Torchbearers will also have the opportunity to keep the torch they ran with by meeting certain fundraising goals. Funds raised from the Unified Relay will go to Special Olympics to provide sports training, competition opportunities, and additional programming that empowers people with intellectual disabilities to become accepted and valued members of their communities, which leads to a more respectful and inclusive society for all. 

“In a time when there is so much dividing people, our World Games offer an opportunity for our nation to come together to celebrate differences and unify in the spirit of respect and inclusion,” said Special Olympics CEO Janet Froetscher. “With so many people coming to the U.S. for the World Games, this is a once in a lifetime opportunity for every citizen to carry the Flame of Hope through their communities where it will light the cauldron that burns during the Games. As the torch makes its way across our country, it will bring us together in a unique way that will open hearts and minds.

For more information on the Special Olympics Unified Relay Across America or to register or donate, visit http://www.unifiedrelay.org/.

Founded in 1968 by Eunice Kennedy Shriver, the Special Olympics movement has grown to more than 4.4 million athletes in 170 countries. With the support of more than 1.3 million coaches and volunteers, Special Olympics delivers 32 Olympic-type sports and more than 81,000 games and competitions throughout the year. Visit Special Olympics at www.specialolympics.org.

Special Olympics Utah provides free year-round training and competition in eight sports for more than 2,500 participants living in Utah, offering many events annually to individuals with intellectual disabilities. Participation with other athletes, partners (typically developing peers), coaches, sponsors and volunteers builds confidence and creates opportunities to participate as productive and respected members of society by increasing public awareness of the athletes’ capabilities. Special Olympics Utah is a registered Utah 501(c)(3) charity with a local governing board of directors comprised of Utah community representatives and leaders. Special Olympics Utah is 90 percent privately funded through donations contributed locally.

For more information about Special Olympics Utah, visit www.sout.org.