LORNA Bell, executive director of Special Olympics Jamaica (SOJ), was pleased with the efforts of law enforcement officers and other supporters after yesterday’s activities to sensitise the public on the start of the 100-day countdown to the Los Angeles World Summer Games.

The SOJ supporters, who took to the streets of the Corporate Area, also promoted the Law Enforcement 5K Torch Run/Walk, which is set for April 25. The officers are hoping to raise $3 million.

Proceeds will go towards the SOJ in preparation for the July 25 to August 2 showpiece in the United States.

Yesterday, businesswoman Paula Chang, the proprietor of Twin Gates Plaza and widow to the late Carl Chang, donated $100,000 to Special Olympics Jamaica.

“April 16 marks 100 days to the Special Olympics World Games and we are out to celebrate and to build awareness. All over the world today [yesterday] it’s celebrated in different ways,” Bell told the Jamaica Observer, only metres away from their temporary tent at Twin Gates in Half-Way-Tree.

“And it’s not just about World Games [promotion] but also to get people to know about the 5K Run/Walk. We have music and it’s a carnival-like atmosphere. I want to say thanks to law enforcement officers for coming out and sensitising the nation more about persons with intellectual disabilities. I want to thank the store owners in Twin Gates for having us and to Red Bull for providing music,” the SOJ executive director said.

Bell urged Jamaicans to back the awareness-building ahead of the 2015 Games by using the global slogan ‘Reach Up!’

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

The country’s delegation is expected to include 69 athletes, 17 coaches and two officials. They will compete in aquatics, athletics, badminton, unified football, unified basketball, female futsal, volleyball, and bocce.

Superintendent of Police Stephanie Lindsay and highly regarded SOJ athlete Nigel Davis will be entrusted with taking the famed Flame of Hope inside the host stadium during the Games’ Opening Ceremony.

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.

The disabilities can either be acquired or genetic and can include cases of Down’s Syndrome, cerebral palsy, traumatic brain injury and autism.