DHL announced that it is the official sponsor of the Global Law Enforcement Torch Run for SpecialOlympics providing support for the second time by ensuring the safe transport of the Flame of Hope
around the world.As part of the multi-year global partnership between DHL and Special Olympics, DHL isdelivering the Special Olympics Flame of Hope more than 37,000 miles by air and ground to 13 citiesacross five continents.
“We are honoured to once again be the official sponsors of the Global Law Enforcement TorchRun for Special Olympics,” said Michele Nadeem, Vice President, Corporate Communications and PublicAffairs for DHL Express USA. “By transporting the Flame of Hope, we are delivering the symbol thatinspires and drives future Special Olympians, and their families, across the U.S. and around theworld.”
The three-month journey of the flame started on November 12, 2008 in Athens, Greece and willbe used to light the cauldron during the Opening Ceremony of the 2009 Special Olympics Winter WorldGames to be held from February 7-13, 2009 in Boise, Idaho.
Global stops include Athens, Greece, Warsaw, Poland, San Jose, Costa Rica, Johannesburg,South Africa, New Delhi, India, Shanghai, China, and five cities in the United States: Miami, NewYork, Los Angeles, Washington DC, and Coeur d’Alene, Idaho for the official handover ceremony tothe Final Leg Team.
The flame delivers a message of hope to communities where people with intellectual disabilitycontinue to flight for acceptance and a chance to excel without barriers. The 2009 Special OlympicsWorld Winter Games in Idaho will host almost 3,000 athletes with intellectual disabilities frommore than 100 countries from February 7-13. During the seven day event, athletes will compete inseven winter sport events.
