This is the name of the movement that was founded by policemen in 1981 in Wichita, Kansas, with the aim to support the Special Olympics athletes. To date more than 100 000 law enforcement officers from all over the world – including Austria – are members and active supporters of the movement.   
The “Law Enforcement Torch Run” is probably not only the most significant fundraising activity in the context of the Special Olympics but also a very important campaign to raise awareness for the movement among the general public. Every year more than 50 million dollars are raised for the Special Olympics movement by law enforcement officers involved in this international charity campaign.

Torch Run – Flame of Hope – Final Leg

The Law Enforcement Torch Run is a very special event both for the torch bearers and the spectators. After its ignition early in March 2017 in Athens the Olympic flame for the Special Olympics will set out for its journey to finally arrive in host country Austria ten days before the start of the World Winter Games.

The Flame of Hope – on its way through Austria

During the Final Leg of the torch run ten days before the start of the Games, 80 law enforcement officers from abroad, 10 law enforcement officers from Austria, 10 international Special Olympics athletes as well as numerous police cadets from Austria will carry the Olympic flame from Bregenz (Vorarlberg) through 50 towns and municipalities located in all Austrian provinces where it will be welcomed and cheered by an enthusiastic crowd.
The torch run through the busy streets and the various ceremonies at the town centers will be used for promotional activities for the upcoming “Special Olympics World Winter Games” and help to raise awareness for the cause.
The absolute highlight of the international torch run will take place on March 18, 2022 during the opening ceremony of the “Special Olympics World Winter Games Austria 2017” at Planai stadium in Schladming when the law enforcement officers will hand the burning torch over to an athlete who will ignite the Olympic fire – the Flame of Hope – in the cauldron.

Torch Run 2017

The “Flame of Hope” can be seen in the various Austrian provinces on the following days – two different teams will carry the flame to the people (click on the town and you will see a map the exact route):

9. März 2017: VORARLBERG
Bregenz (9.30 Uhr), Nenzing (13 Uhr), Dornbirn (13 Uhr), Bludenz (15 Uhr), Feldkirch (15 Uhr)

10. März 2017: TIROL
Kufstein (8 Uhr), St. Anton am Arlberg (8.30 Uhr), Landeck (10.30 Uhr), Kitzbühel (10.40 Uhr), Imst (12.30 Uhr), Wörgl (12.50 Uhr), Kematen in Tirol (14.45 Uhr), Hall in Tirol (15.10 Uhr), Innsbruck (17 Uhr)

11. März 2017: SALZBURG
Zell am See (9.30 Uhr), Hallein (10 Uhr), Salzburg (13.30 Uhr)

12. März 2017: OBERÖSTERREICH
Bad Ischl (8.30 Uhr), Braunau (8.30 Uhr), Gmunden (11 Uhr), Ried im Innkreis (11 Uhr), Wels (14 Uhr), Vöcklabruck (14 Uhr), Linz (16.45 Uhr)

13. März 2017: NIEDERÖSTERREICH
St. Pölten (8.00 Uhr), Ybbs an der Donau (10.30 Uhr), Stockerau (10.40 Uhr), Hollabrunn (13.20 Uhr), Krems (13.30 Uhr), Tulln (15.30 Uhr), Mödling (16.25 Uhr), Klosterneuburg (17.45 Uhr), Baden (18.20 Uhr)

14. März 2017: WIEN
Schloßpark Schönbrunn, Ringstraße (10.30 Uhr), Uniqa-Tower (18.30 Uhr)

15. März 2017: BURGENLAND, NIEDERÖSTERREICH und STEIERMARK
Eisenstadt (8.20 Uhr), Bruck an der Mur (8.30 Uhr), Leoben (10.30 Uhr), Mattersburg (10.30 Uhr), Wiener Neustadt (12.40 Uhr), Knittelfeld (13.30 Uhr), Feldbach (16.10 Uhr), Lannach (16.30 Uhr)

16. März 2017: KÄRNTEN
Wolfsberg (9 Uhr), Villach (9 Uhr) and Klagenfurt (12.30 Uhr)

17. März 2017: STEIERMARK
Graz (9.30 Uhr)

18. März 2017: STEIERMARK
Ramsau (8.30 Uhr) and Schladming (10.30 Uhr), Opening Ceremony in Schladming (17 Uhr)