CASPER, Wyo. — Events, organizations, businesses, and people continue to adapt to life during the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic, and Wyoming’s Special Olympics is the latest to adapt to a world in time of coronavirus.
Wyoming’s summer Special Olympic games have been cancelled amid virus concerns, but the torch run will continue to raise money for Special Olympics athletes. Officials announced on April 30, 2020 that the annual Torch Run for Wyoming Special Olympics will be held starting May 15, and the event will be conducted virtually.
Law Enforcement across Wyoming will participate what Special Olympics Wyoming has dubbed the “Wyoming Virtual Torch Run 2020.”
“With the cancellation of the 2020 Special Olympics Wyoming State Summer Games due to physical distancing regulations, the Wyoming Law Enforcement Torch Run along with the support of hundreds of local law enforcement volunteers will host the Law Enforcement Torch Run legs – virtually,” a Special Olympics Wyoming announcement read Thursday.
The torch run is scheduled to begin May 15 and is scheduled to continue through July 15, 2020.
“April 30th is the day the Opening Ceremonies for Special Olympics Summer games would have commenced in Gillette and the Final Leg of our annual Torch Run would have taken place. Due to social distancing requirements our Torch Run will have a different look in 2020,” said Keith Groeneweg, Wyoming State Director for Law Enforcement Torch Run. “While we would rather be in Gillette for the Summer Games, today is the kick-off for our 2020 Law Enforcement Virtual Torch Run. This year our goal is to cover 2,020 miles with the help of our Torch Runners and athletes.”
Law Enforcement personnel, Special Olympics athletes, family and friends are encouraged to participate by walking or running outside or on a treadmill, exercising on an elliptical or cycling. The goal is to engage more officers and athletes, reach 2,020 miles, and raise $20,200.
Participants are encouraged to track their miles, take a picture or record a short video and post to the Wyoming Law Enforcement Torch Run Facebook page at www.Facebook.com/LETR4SOWY.
You can also support the Wyoming Law Enforcement Virtual Torch Run by making a donation or purchasing a T-shirt,
www.firstgiving.com/event/sowy/2020-WY-LETR-Virtual-Torch-Run
The Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics is the movement’s largest grass-roots fundraiser and public awareness vehicle, at its most basic level the Torch Run is an actual running event, in which officers and athletes run the Flame of Hope to the Opening Ceremonies of local Special Olympics competitions and State and National Games.
Annually, more than 85,000 volunteer law enforcement officers participate in the torch run throughout 35 nations, 12 Canadian provinces, and 50 US states.
The Wyoming Department of Health provides COVID-19 case, variant, death, testing, hospital and vaccine data online. The department also shares information about how the data can be interpreted. COVID-19 safety recommendations are available from the CDC.
