Flame of Hope races through Philly on its way to the Special Olympics in LA
Early Friday morning, runners gathered on the Art Museum steps to participate in the Special Olympics’ Unified Relay Across America and carry the Flame of Hope torch on its journey to Los Angeles.
The torch, which symbolizes a “beacon to unite communities in acceptance,” is expected to arrive at the Opening Ceremony in Los Angeles in 46 days. There are three routes crossing the country coast-to-coast.
After passing through Philadelphia on Friday, the red leg, which started in Augusta, Me., will continue through the Northern states. You can follow its progress on unifiedrelay.org
It is the first time the torch will take three simultaneous routes across the country, said Matt Aaron, president and CEO of Special Olympics Pennsylvania. At the Special Olympics World Games, athletes with and without disabilities are teamed together under the concept of unified sports. The opening ceremony for the 2015 Special Olymics World Games is scheduled for July 25th at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum.
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