Manhattan Special Olympics Torch Run

On your marks, ready? Go! Head to downtown Manhattan on Tuesday, May 24 to see the start of something amazing: the Special Olympics torch, also known as the “Flame of Hope,” on its way to the big games in Florida!

Special Olympics New York officials will welcome approximately 100 national officials, athletes and law enforcement personnel to downtown Manhattan on Tuesday morning as the torch for the 2022 US Games passes through New York City in the part of the Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics. It’s all done ahead of lighting the cauldron during the opening ceremonies at Disney World in Orlando on June 5 – and you’re invited to see it as it travels!

The 2022 United States Special Olympics Law Enforcement Torch Run for the Special Olympics is a two-week, multi-state tour that kicked off in Chicago, IL on May 20. The guardians of the “flame of hope” are mainly members of law enforcement and special forces. Olympic athletes. They carried the iconic torch to major cities across the country ahead of the 2022 Special Olympics USA to be held in Orlando, Florida from June 5-12.

After a brief welcoming ceremony at Park Row Plaza on Tuesday morning, runners will carry the Flame of Hope through the streets of midtown Manhattan to the 9/11 Memorial. The best places to see the group running are at the start and finish points of the 1.5 mile course.

This year, the New York Special Olympics delegation will include nearly 200 athletes and coaches competing in 14 sports: basketball, bocce, bowling, equestrian, golf, gymnastics, powerlifting, soccer, softball, swimming, tennis, triathlon, athletics, and volleyball. More than 5,500 athletes and coaches from all 50 states will compete in the US Games next month.