WASHINGTON, July 24 /Xinhua-PRNewswire/ --
What: The Flame of Hope(TM) for the 2007 Special Olympics World
Summer Games will make its only U.S. visit to Washington, DC,
where the flame will light the torch that will be carried in
the global Law Enforcement Torch Run(R) -- a signature event
honoring the Special Olympics movement. Following a ceremony
at the White House hosted by President and Mrs. Bush, the
torch will be carried to stops throughout the city before
continuing its global journey to the 2007 World Summer Games
Opening Ceremony in Shanghai on 2 October. Involving hundreds
of runners and spectators, this promises to be one of the most
inspiring and visually interesting events of the summer,
taking place on the anniversary of the Americans with
Disabilities Act, signed into law by President George H.W.
Bush in 1990.
(Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20040302/LNTU017LOGO )
When: Thursday, July 26, 2007
Where: The running of the Flame of Hope will begin at 12:15 p.m.
Photo opportunities for the day include (times approximate):
9:30 a.m. Law Enforcement Torch Run Breakfast Reception (Hay Adams
Hotel, 16th and H Streets NW) Speakers to include Special
Olympics Chairman Tim Shriver and other dignitaries.
11:45 a.m. White House Ceremony
***Credentialed media interested in attending the White House
ceremony must contact the White House Office of Media Affairs
at 202-456-6238.***
12:15 p.m. Runners Depart from South Lawn of White House to National
Mall
12:40 p.m. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
(200 Independence Ave. SW)
12:55 p.m. Photo opportunity at U.S. Capitol (Capitol Reflecting Pool
Park)
1:20 p.m. Law Enforcement Officers Memorial
(Judiciary Square, 5th and F Streets NW)
2:00 p.m. Torch Run concludes at the Embassy of the People's Republic
of China. Welcome Ceremony and Reception to follow.
(2300 Connecticut Avenue N.W.)
***For invitations, please contact Wei Xin, Press Office for
the Chinese Embassy at +1 (202) 328-2577.***
Background: With the logistical support of DHL, the Global Partner of the
Special Olympics Law Enforcement Torch Run for the 2007
Special Olympics World Summer Games, the Flame of Hope was lit
June 29 at the Acropolis in Athens using only the rays of the
sun, and then departed Greece to begin a 22,000 mile journey
across five continents. Carried by members of the global law
enforcement community and Special Olympics athletes, more than
5,000 people around the world will participate in this
celebration of the Special Olympics movement and the courage
of its athletes.
After departing Washington, DC, the Flame of Hope will travel
to Seoul, Tokyo, Sydney, Beijing, Hong Kong and Macau. The Law
Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics is a pivotal event
in the lead up to the 2007 Special Olympics World Summer
Games.
Video b-roll will be made available via satellite with
coordinates provided later this week.
