KINGSTON, Jamaica – Members of the security forces and other supporters of Special Olympics Jamaica (SOJ) are in the streets of Half-Way-Tree today to promote and offer registration opportunity for the Law Enforcement 5K Torch Run/Walk, scheduled for Saturday, April 25.

The Run/Walk, which is looking to raise J$3 million, will begin and end at the Police Officers’ Club on Hope Road.

The funds will go towards the SOJ, who are preparing for the July 25 to August 2 World Summer Games in California, United States.

Today’s thrust from the law enforcement officers coincides with the 100-day countdown ahead of the start to the Games.

Senior Superintendent of Police Karina Hood, also the chairperson of the Law Enforcement Torch Run committee, said Special Olympics athletes have not been given the recognition they deserve.

“We don’t think these athletes are celebrated as much as they should be though they have accomplished so much. We are doing what we can and we are pleased to support Special Olympics Jamaica,” she told OBSERVER ONLINE yesterday.

“We are quite pleased at having the countdown at the same time we are doing the promotion. We’ll be out with promotional flyers and giving persons the chance to register for the Torch Run,” she said.

Superintendent of Police Stephanie Lindsay and Special Olympics athlete Nigel Davis will be entrusted with taking the famed Flame of Hope inside the host stadium during the Opening Ceremony for the 2015 Los Angeles Games.

Jamaica will be among the 177 countries participating at the Games, where US President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama have committed to serve as honorary chairs.

The island’s delegation at the summer showpiece is expected to include 69 athletes, 17 coaches and two officials. The team will compete in aquatics, athletics, badminton, unified football, unified basketball, female futsal, volleyball, and bocce.

Lorna Bell, the SOJ executive director, was tight-lipped regarding the financial support already garnered by the local body, but assured that training of the athletes has been progressing satisfactorily.

She said the names on the delegation list will be announced at the end of this month.

Jamaica were historic achievers at the Special Olympics 2013 Winter Games in the Republic of Korea. The tropical country won silver medals in two ice figure skating categories to go with their second-place finish in floor hockey.

The Special Olympic International movement targets the breaking down of barriers that exclude people with intellectual disabilities from mainstream society.

Sanjay Myers