MEDIA ADVISORY 
28 June 2007

“Flame Of Hope” For 2007 Special Olympics 
  World Summer Games To Be Lit In Athens, Greece 

Torch-lighting ceremonies at sacred site near Acropolis; Marks official beginning of Global Law Enforcement Torch Run® sponsored by DHL

This year marks a historic event for the Special Olympics World Summer Games.  For the first time since its inception in 1981, the Law Enforcement Torch Run® is going global.  To kick off this international event the Flame of Hope will be lit - using only rays of the sun - at a site near the Acropolis in Athens, Greece.

The Global Torch Run is a pivotal event in the lead-up to the Special Olympics World Summer Games and the route will span the globe with major stops on five continents. The Flame of Hope will be used to ignite the cauldron at the Opening Ceremony of the 2007 Special Olympics World Summer Games in Shanghai on October 2nd.  This year there will be more than 400 U.S. athletes competing in the games from communities all over the country.

In Athens , a team comprised of Special Olympics athletes and law enforcement officers will carry the flame to the Chinese Embassy. From there, the flame will be transported by sponsor DHL from Athens to cities around the world including Cairo , London , Washington D.C. , Sydney and Beijing , traveling more than 22,000 miles across five continents over 94 days before arriving Shanghai . More than 5,000 people are expected to participate in this global celebration which symbolizes the diversity of the Special Olympics movement and the courage of its athletes.

Scheduled Attendees: Anna Benaki-Psarouda, President of the Greek Parliament; Special Olympics International President Timothy P. Shriver; senior representatives of the 2007 Games Organizing Committee and Shanghai government, diplomats, Greek cabinet members, representatives of sports bodies, law enforcement officers, corporate sponsors including senior leaders from Coca-Cola and DHL, Special Olympics athletes and supporters.

Background: 
The Flame of Hope will be lit at a site near the Acropolis using only the rays of the sun. A team comprised of Special Olympics athletes and law enforcement officers will carry the flame to the Chinese Embassy. From there, the flame will be transported by sponsor DHL from Athens to China , traveling more than 35,000 kilometers (22,000 miles) across five continents over 94 days. More than 5,000 people are expected to participate in this global celebration which symbolizes the diversity of the Special Olympics movement and the courage of its athletes.

Available:
B-ROLL: Includes footage of the Flame of Hope lighting ceremony
SOUNDBITES: Anna Benaki-Psarouda, President of the Greek Parliament
                         Special Olympics International Chairman Timothy P. Shriver 

Receive by Satellite:                                 C-BAND 

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

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Contact:

Sarah Cody, Special Olympics International                                    Richard Gibbs, DHL

+1 202 651-0405 (mobile)                                                              +1 954 888-7059

scody@specialolympics.org                                                        USA.Pressoffice@dhl.com