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Shelley Osterloh ReportingUtah's Special Olympics officially start tomorrow with the Opening Ceremonies at BYU's Miller Baseball Stadium. Today is the final leg of the statewide torch run.
This is the 25th anniversary of the Special Olympics Torch Run. More than 1,200 law enforcement officers across the state have donated their time to carry the torch and help raise money for Special Olympics.
The torch continues on its route tomorrow and ends up at BYU for the Summer Games, with more than 1,300 children and adults with intellectual disabilities competing in a half a dozen sports.
The torch has been on its way for a month now, zigzagging across the state. This morning, officers carried it from the State Capitol, down State Street, to the Salt Lake City Police Department and through downtown. Just today it's traveled through South Salt Lake, West Valley City, Murray, Midvale, West Jordan, Sandy and Draper.
Many officers work all year long raising money for Special Olympics.
Jeff Maglish, Murray Police Dept., Special Olympic Torch Run Dir., "It's one of those charities you can work for and you work from the grassroots end of it and you can actually see how it helps. You can see your work. They still look at police officers as heroes. I mean, it's great when you go to put a medal around someone's neck and they hug you and their emotions are so genuine."
2,200 athletes participate statewide in Special Olympics.
Tomorrow, Opening Ceremonies start at 7pm at BYU's Miller Baseball Stadium. It is open and free to the public. Then competitions get underway and continue through Saturday.
