“CORONA DEL MAR TODAY ” Special Olympics Torch Run Sails Through

Alger Correctional Facility Capt. Carl White has been selected to represent Michigan in the final leg of the Law Enforcement Torch Run to kick off the Special Olympics World Games in Los Angeles, Calif.

City leaders joined Toyota executives, artists and Special Olympics fans at the freshly painted Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum mural to ask for participation and a celebration of athletes’ joy and courage. For more information about the Law Enforcement Torch Run Final Leg, visit LETR-FinalLeg.org and on Facebook and Twitter. The Opening Ceremony will be held July 25.

Sgt. Steve Hernandez has been a participant in local legs of the Law Enforcement Torch Run with the Special Olympics for 10 years, and in September, he was approached to see if he would be interested in being a part of the final leg of the event in California. The torch is set to continue on to the organization’s Summer State Games in Newberg, which take place Saturday and Sunday. All three murals are just blocks away from venues hosting Special Olympics World Games events July 25-August 2. “He brings a smile to the faces of the athletes that Special Olympics Michigan serves and is always willing to go above and beyond for the program”.

Hundreds of people lined Lugonia Avenue to cheer the runners on as they made their way through a marked course to Clement Middle School. It has raised over $500 million for Special Olympics since its start in 1981. The Special Olympics World Games will be the largest sports and humanitarian event anywhere in the world in 2015, hosting 177 countries, 7,000 athletes and 3,000 coaches. The Flame of Hope began its journey in Athens, Greece, when it was lit on May 14th.

More than 900 Oregon officers and volunteers will carry the “Flame of Hope” in a relay nearly 2,000 miles across the state.

McManus has been involved in the Special Olympics for the past nine years and has won several medals in Special Olympics equestrian competition. Governor Gerry Brown will be the keynote speaker at this event, which will be held on the front steps of the State Capitol.

The flame will be passed to various members on 10 teams that will join the relay; each team will include 8-9 law enforcement officers and one athlete. But there are two people he is looking forward to talking to the most. Game officials announced Redlands as a host town in December.

Moore says she’s looking forward to the Opening Ceremony.