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Route announced for Special Olympics torch

From the Idaho State Police
The Idaho State Police are proud to support and participate in the 2009 Final Leg Torch Run through Idaho prior to the opening of the 2009 Special Olympics World Winter Games. The Flame of Hope will be arriving from Greece at the Third Street boat launch in Couer d'Alene on Jan. 29 at 8:30 a.m.

A ceremony will follow the arrival at the Coeur d'Alene Library. After the ceremony, the flame will travel throughout northern Idaho for two days before traveling to southern Idaho.

Please see the "2009 Final Leg Overview" document below for further information.

(Please contact Idaho State Police Trooper Allen Ashby at allen.ashby@isp.idaho.gov for more information and a complete schedule of cities and times for north Idaho.)

Event overview
The Final Leg tradition is for law enforcement officers, representing their state and country ‘s Torch Run Program, to act as "Guardians of the Flame" and carry the Special Olympics Torch and "Flame of Hope" to the opening ceremonies of the Special Olympics World Games.

This Torch Run event is called the Final Leg because it represents the culmination of Torch Run events that have occurred previously throughout the world. The Torch Run Final Leg is not only a salute to the athletes from around the world who will compete in the Special Olympics World Winter Games, but also an honor for the participating law enforcement officers who comprise the Torch Run Final Leg Team.

The Olympic flame symbolizes the light of spirit, knowledge and life. With identical power and majesty, the Special Olympics "Flame of Hope," in the entrusted care of the law enforcement community, symbolizes the courage and celebration of diversity that the Special Olympics movement represents.

Final Leg mission

Create awareness and excitement for Special Olympics and the World Winter Games
Encourage support and attendance of the World Winter Games
Proudly represent Law Enforcement and Torch Run Programs from around the world as a symbol of our deep commitment to the athletes of Special Olympics as we serve as ambassadors for Law Enforcement, Special Olympics, and the World Winter Games
Make athlete involvement a vital part of the Final Leg in addition to having Special Olympics athletes as a part of the Final Leg Team; our goal is to highlight local athletes at ceremonies
Fulfill our role as "Guardians of the Flame" by maintaining the flame until the lighting of the cauldron at the World Winter Games Opening Ceremonies
Develop a media relations strategy to publicize and promote the Final Leg and the World Winter Games to the fullest extent
Place emphasis on creating and planning the best ceremony possible in every community to help fulfill the mission of the Final Leg
Involve, inspire, and motivate runners to increase their level of commitment to Special Olympics when they return to their local programs

When and where
The 2009 Final Leg will precede the Special Olympics World Winter Games held in Boise, Idaho from Feb 6-13, 2009. The Flame Lighting Ceremony is scheduled to arrive in Coeur d'Alene, Idaho on Thursday, January 29th, 2009 at 8:30 a.m.

The flame will be delivered from Greece off the Coeur d’Alene Lake via the Third Street boat launch near the Coeur d’Alene Resort. A short ceremony will follow at the Coeur d’Alene Library. From there, the torch will travel through various cities in north Idaho and reach southern Idaho for the Opening Ceremonies on Feb 6.