Special Olympians from all over the world are gearing up for the 2015 Special Olympics World Summer Games, set to begin on Saturday in Los Angeles, California, United States of America (USA).

Just recently, on the steps of the California State Capitol, Special Olympics athletes and law enforcement officers from all over the world, and World Games officials were welcomed by Governor Jerry Brown and Lt. Governor Gavin Newsom for the launch of the Law Enforcement Torch Run (LETR) final leg. The historic final leg will travel 4,648 miles on three routes throughout the state before lighting the cauldron at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum to open the games this Saturday.

The Law Enforcement Torch Run® for Special Olympics is Special Olympics’ largest grassroots fundraiser and public awareness vehicle in the world. More than 100,000 law enforcement members in all 50 U.S. states, 12 Canadian provinces/territories, and 47 other countries contribute to LETR efforts annually as Guardians of the Flame®, ensuring the delivery of the Special Olympics Flame of Hope to the opening ceremonies of Special Olympics competitions, state/provincial games, and national/regional games.

“For more than 30 years, the Law Enforcement Torch Run has been an integral part of the Special Olympics Movement,” said Patrick McClenahan, Los Angeles Special Olympics World Games Organizing Committee (LA2015) President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO). “We look forward to seeing Californians cheering on the final leg team as they bring the world games message of acceptance and inclusion throughout the state."

The LETR Final Leg for the 2015 World Games, presented by Bank of America, will conclude on Saturday. A team of 124 members – which includes 88 law enforcement officer runners, 10 Special Olympics athletes, and logistics personnel – are serving as Guardians of the Flame as they run the Flame of Hope throughout the state. Law enforcement torch runners from around the world were chosen for their dedication and commitment to the Law Enforcement Torch Run and Special Olympics by their respective torch run programs. Special Olympics athletes were selected to be a part of the final leg team based on nominations received from around the world.

“The final leg event is an amazing opportunity for law enforcement officers from around the world who work tirelessly year-round in support of Special Olympics, not only to help build excitement for the world games and create awareness for Special Olympics, but also to showcase and highlight the skills and abilities of their teammates, 10 Special Olympics athletes from around the world on this unified team,” said John Newnan, Team Captain for the final leg team.

“These athletes, along with their partners in law enforcement, will tell their personal ‘stories’ at 127 ceremonies, helping to bring awareness, understanding and acceptance of individuals with intellectual disabilities to cities and towns throughout California that we will visit during the 13 days of the final leg event. We draw our strength, inspiration and motivation from the athletes and are proud to be a part of a movement called the Law Enforcement Torch Run that is the largest grassroots fundraiser for Special Olympics worldwide.”

Representing The Bahamas on the Law Enforcement Torch Run final leg is Superintendent of Police Loretta Mackey.

The world games will be held from July 25 to August 2, and will feature 25 Olympic-type sports: Aquatics, athletics, badminton, basketball, bocce, bowling, cycling, equestrian, football, golf, gymnastics, half marathon, handball, judo, kayaking, open water swimming, powerlifting, roller skating, sailing, softball, table tennis, tennis, triathlon, volleyball and beach volleyball. These games will showcase the unlimited potential of people with intellectual disabilities – one of the largest disability populations in the world.

The opening ceremony will take place at the Memorial Coliseum, site of the opening ceremonies of the 1932 and 1984 Olympic Games, on Saturday, and will be televised to a worldwide audience by ESPN.

Team Bahamas consists of a delegation of 35 in total – 23 athletes and 12 coaches. It is comprised of Special Olympics athletes and coaches from the islands of New Providence, Grand Bahama and Abaco. The team members will compete in aquatics (four athletes), open water swimming (two athletes), bocce (four athletes), bowling (two athletes), tennis (three athletes), and track & field (six athletes).

The Bahamian delegation is being led by Gilbert Williams, and he will be assisted by Johnneice Blyden. National Director of Special Olympics Bahamas Amanda Moncur and Board Chairperson Ana Christie are also accompanying the team. The Bahamian delegation, and about 25 family members, left for Los Angeles yesterday.