Annual Special Olympics Torch Run begins in Connecticut
CONNECTICUT (WTNH) — It's that time of year again, the Special Olympics are kicking off in Connecticut. It promotes inclusion and acceptance for people of all abilities.
The Summer Games kick off Wednesday with the annual law enforcement torch run. Law enforcement officers from all over the state will carry the 'Flame of Hope' across our cities and towns, spreading the message of Special Olympics CT.
Pizza statue at Tweed welcomes passengers to New Haven
The organization provides year-round sports training and competition opportunities for nearly 14,000 athletes of all ages with intellectual disabilities.
Those athletes are joined by 'Unified Sports partners. It brings people together and every year before the summer games kick off, there's a torch run.
There will also be runs on Thursday and Friday. Law enforcement officers participate, and some of the athletes themselves run with the torch.
News 8's Laura Hutchinson, Alyssa Taglia and Gil Simmons all have run in support and our News 8 crew was at a few of the runs last year.
The 'Final leg' of the run will take place during the summer games opening ceremony at Southern Connecticut State University, Friday at 6:30 p.m.
We're told all are encouraged to cheer their local officers and athletes on!
Attending the summer games opening ceremony is free and open to the public.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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