Date: Fri 12-Jun-1998

Publication: Bee

Author: ANDYG

Quick Words:

Special-Olympics-torch-run

Full Text:

Local Police Run In Support Of Special Olympics

(with cut)

(POST PRINTING CORRECTION: The Summer Games were hosted by Fairfield

University and Sacred Heart University, both in Fairfield; Opening Ceremonies

were Friday, June 5, ONLY at SHU. ALSO, the correct term is Connecticut

Special Olympics, in that order. ALSO, Unifiedî Partners were used only in

SOME events, NOT all events.)

BY ANDREW GOROSKO

On June 5, a group of Newtown police officers ran on Route 302 from Bethel to

the Ram Pasture, and then on Route 25 to the Monroe town line as part of town

police's participation in the Special Olympics of Connecticut's 1998 Law

Enforcement Torch Run.

Police have participated in the event annually to demonstrate their support of

mentally-retarded residents in the state.

Newtown police, state police and correction officers from Garner Correctional

Institution participated in the Newtown leg of the event.

The weather cooperated with high, fine clouds, cool temperatures and a steady

breeze, affording excellent conditions for the nine-mile run through Newtown.

The run through Newtown was one of 11 legs of the event conducted from June 3

through 5. The opening ceremonies of the Special Olympics were held at

Fairfield University and Sacred Heart University. United Technologies

Corporation is the games' official sponsor.

An estimated 3,500 law enforcement officers from numerous agencies across the

state participated, according to Special Olympics Connecticut.

More than 150 Special Olympics athletes ran with the officers, carrying the

"Flame of Hope" on its way to the Summer Games.

June 5 was the 12th anniversary of the law enforcement torch run in

Connecticut. When it arrived at its destination in Fairfield the torch was

used to ignite fuel in a cauldron which burned during the games.

Last year, the torch run raised more than $200,000 for Special Olympic

programs in Connecticut, according to Connecticut Special Olympics. The

Connecticut Chiefs of Police Association has adopted Special Olympics as their

official charitable cause.

It is estimated that 2,000 special athletes ranging in age from 8 to 75

participated. About 500 coaches trained the athletes. An estimated 4,000

volunteers helped stage the games.

Events held included adaptive sports, aquatics, cycling, gymnastics, bocci,

croquet, horseshoes, racewalking, powerlifting, and soccer, according to

Special Olympics Connecticut.

In staging the summer games, its sponsors used the Unified Sportsî approach in

which athletes with and without mental retardation participated on sports

teams for training and competition, according to Special Olympics Connecticut.