|
PRESS
RELEASE
January 27, 2005
The Flame of Hope
Law Enforcement Officers and Special Olympics
Athletes from
Around the World Carry the "Flame of Hope" to
the
2005 Special Olympics World Winter Games
Local Law Enforcement
Officer, Cpl Jason Johnson with the Ravalli County Sheriff's
Office has been selected to deliver the "Flame of Hope"
to the 2005 Special Olympics World Winter Games in Nagano,
Japan. Jason will be one of 110 runners from 19 countries
participating in the Final Leg of the Law Enforcement Torch
RunŽ for Special Olympics. He will carry the torch through
Japan leading up to the Games, which begin on February 26.
"Cpl Johnson
is a true Guardian of the Flame who exemplifies the support
that thousands of law enforcement officers around the world
give to the Special Olympics movement" said Timothy
Shriver, Chairman and CEO of Special Olympics. "This
International Final Leg Torch Run will help light the way
for the 2005 Special Olympics World Winter Games."
More
about the Torch Run...
The Law Enforcement
Torch RunŽ is the largest grass-roots fundraiser for Special
Olympics programs in the world. Every two years, law enforcement
officers and athletes representing their state's or nation's
Torch Run programs are give the distinction of making the
Final Leg team that carries the Special Olympics "Flame
of Hope" to the World Games. This year, two Final Leg
teams will carry the torch more than 2,000 kilometers to
66 communities before completing he journey to the Opening
Ceremonies of the Eighth Special Olympics World Winter Games.
During the ceremony, the cauldron will be lit and the Games
will be declared open.
Cpl Jason Johnson
has been a volunteer with the Montana Law Enforcement Torch
Run for over 6 years. Jason goes on to state "I have
been proud of my Law Enforcement career and the service
I provide to my community. However, when I retire, I know
that my involvement with Special Olympics will be what made
my career so special. My wife works at my side in everything
we do for Special Olympics and it has built memories for
us that we will never forget. We know that our involvement
helps set a good example for our children and hope that
they too will someday get involved. Special Olympics is
certainly one ingredient in the glue that binds our family
together. We can't imagine a life without it." Special
Olympics athletes continue to inspire Jason in everything
he does. "Athletes constantly help me in being a better
person by the example that they set. Despite the challenges
in their lives they seem to always overcome them and then
turn their attention to helping others. Athletes are truly
the heros in my life." The Montana Law Enforcement
Torch Run selected Jason to participate in the Final Leg
for the 2005 World Winter Games. Jason will be a wonderful
representative of the Montana Law Enforcement Torch Run.
The 2005 Special
Olympics World Winter Games will take place from February
26 to March 5 in Nagano, Japan. This showcase event marks
the first time the Special Olympics World Games will be
held in Asia. Roughly 2,500 athletes from 80 countries will
compete in seven sports: Alpine Skiing, Cross-Country Skiing,
Snowboarding, Figure Skating, Speed Skating, Snowshoeing
and Floor Hockey. For more information about the 2005 Special
Olympics World Winter Games, visit
www.2005sowwg.com.
About
Special Olympics
Special Olympics
is an international organization that changes lives by promoting
understanding, acceptance and inclusion between people with
and without intellectual disabilities. Through year-round
sports training and athletic competition and other related
programming for 1.4 million children and adults with intellectual
disabilities in more than 150 countries, Special Olympics
has created a model community that celebrates people's diverse
gifts. Founded in 1968 by Eunice Kennedy Shriver, Special
Olympics provides people with intellectual disabilities
continuing opportunities to realize their potential, develop
physical fitness, demonstrate courage and experience joy
and friendship. There is no cost to participate in Special
Olympics. Visit Special Olympics online at
www.somt.org
Contact: Terri
Sappington, Law
Enforcement Torch Run Coordinator for Special Olympics Montana , 406-268-6759
Contact: Bob Norbie,
President
bnorbie@somt.org
Vicki Dunham, VP Field Service
vdunham@somt.org
Special Olympics Montana
P.O. Box 3507
Great Falls, MT 59403
1-800-242-6876
406-268-6759
|
