Special Olympics Flame of Hope

Author: Ian C. Langtree - Writer/Editor for Disabled World (DW)
Published: 5 Feb 2009 - Updated: 24 Dec 2017

Contents: Synopsis - Introduction - Main - Related Publications

Synopsis: The Flame of Hope is a symbol of the Special Olympics used in the same spirit as the Olympic Flame at the Olympic Games.

Introduction

The Flame of Hope is a symbol of the Special Olympics. Used much in the same spirit as the Olympic Flame at the Olympic Games, the Flame of Hope is lit during a special traditional ceremony in Athens, Greece in the months running up to the Special Olympics World Games.

Main Content

What is the Flame of Hope?

The Flame of Hope is a symbol of the Special Olympics. Used much in the same spirit as the Olympic Flame at the Olympic Games, the Flame of Hope is lit during a special traditional ceremony in Athens, Greece in the months running up to the Special Olympics World Games.

The Flame of Hope is then relayed on foot by Special Olympics athletes and members of law enforcement agencies from around the world; this is the culmination of the Law Enforcement Torch Run program, the main fundraising vehicle for Special Olympics.

Everywhere the Flame of Hope travels, whether for local, national or World Games, it is a powerful representation of the Special Olympics movement that burns brightly 365 days a year and our commitment to bringing hope and light to those who have none, wherever they may be.

The 2009 Special Olympics Global Torch Run will ignite more communities and inspire more people as it passes through 13 cities and eight nations on its way to the World Winter Games in Boise Idaho.

At the end of its tour, the Flame is used to light a specially made beacon in the stadium which is to be the central location for those World Games.

Author Credentials: Ian is the founder and Editor-in-Chief of Disabled World, a leading resource for news and information on disability issues. With a global perspective shaped by years of travel and lived experience, Ian is a committed proponent of the Social Model of Disability-a transformative framework developed by disabled activists in the 1970s that emphasizes dismantling societal barriers rather than focusing solely on individual impairments. His work reflects a deep commitment to disability rights, accessibility, and social inclusion. To learn more about Ian's background, expertise, and accomplishments, visit his full biography.