The “Flame of Hope” arrives at the ceremony after traveling more than 100 miles throughout the First State.
NEWARK, DE (DNTV): The Delaware Special Olympics Summer Games will kick off on Friday June 9, 2023, at the University of Delaware’s Bob Carpenter Center with more than 550 athletes from across the state.
Summer Games is Special Olympics Delaware’s largest sports event and Athletes will participate in six sports — aquatics, bocce, powerlifting, softball, tennis, and track and field — on June 9 and 10 at the University of Delaware’s David Nelson athletic complex.
More than 130 coaches have provided training over the past three months in preparation for the competition
According to a news release, more than 130 coaches have provided training over the past three months in preparation for the competition and over 1,000 volunteers from DuPont, other corporate/venue sponsors and the community help make this event possible.
“We are proud to once again sponsor the SODE Summer Games and strengthen the ties between our company and the community we call home,” commented Patrick McCrummen, Global Community & Social Impact Leader at DuPont. “The Games bring out the best in all of the participating athletes, coaches and partners, and we are thrilled to support the event – both financially and through employee volunteerism – cheering on the participants and helping them thrive.”
The Opening Ceremony takes place Friday at 4:15 p.m. at the Bob Carpenter Center.
Scott Klatzkin, the Voice of the Blue Hens on 94.7 WDSD, will serve as emcee. Among the highlights of the ceremony is the parade of athletes and the lighting of the cauldron by former Outstanding Athlete of the Year, Gene Giuliani of the Newark Dragons, and the Winnie Spence Torch Runner of the Year, Corporal Brian Caselli of the Ocean View Police Department. The “Flame of Hope” arrives at the ceremony after traveling more than 100 miles throughout the First State over three days as part of the 37th annual Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics.
Fun, educational, and health-related activities at Olympic Village
In addition to competing, athletes have the opportunity to participate in fun, educational, and health-related activities at Olympic Village on Friday and at the Healthy Athletes venues on Saturday. Also, new this year, on Saturday, a Young Athletes Festival is open to children ages 2 – 7 from 2 – 3 p.m. on the infield of the UD track.
“The annual Summer Games is the highlight of the year for everyone involved, and this year we are very excited that we have more than 100 additional athletes competing compared to last year’s Summer Games,” said David Halley, Special Olympics Delaware President & CEO. “We take great pride in providing our athletes with a first-class event at which they can display their many athletic talents to their family and friends who will be cheering them on and their fellow Delawareans from the community serving as volunteers. Our athletes never cease to amaze us, and they so inspire us.”
What you need to know about the Law Enforcement Flame of Hope Torch Run
The 37th annual statewide law enforcement torch run for Special Olympics will include over 600 law enforcement officers and multiple legs spanning the state, will be between Wednesday, June 7th and Friday, June 9th, 2023. This year’s Torch Run will be a three-day event.
On Wednesday, June 7th, upstate, at 9:00 a.m.: it will begin at the New Castle County Police Department and travel to the Wilmington Police Department, where there will be a ceremony at 9:30 a.m.
The torch will then travel to Delaware State Police Troop 6. Downstate, at approximately 3:30 p.m., it will begin at Fenwick Island and travel to the Rehoboth Beach bandstand for a 20-minute ceremony starting
At 7:00 p.m. Immediately following the ceremony, the torch will depart for a one mile run to Grove Park.
On Thursday, June 8th, downstate: The torch will start in two locations. At 6:00 a.m., one leg of the Torch Run will depart from the Delmar Police Department.
At 6:40 a.m., a second leg will start at The Circle in Georgetown, and the two legs will unite in Harrington and then run to the Dover ceremony, held on the Legislative Mall
At 1:45 p.m. Upstate, the torch will depart from the Middletown Police Department at 10:30 a.m. and also arrive for the ceremony in Dover.
All law enforcement, Special Olympics Delaware athletes, and legislators are invited to attend.
The event continues on Friday, June 9th: With the torch leaving the Newark Shopping Center at 4:00 p.m. The event culminates with the final leg into the University of Delaware Bob Carpenter Center for the official Opening Ceremony of the 2023 Summer Games at 4:15 p.m., where the Flame of Hope will be delivered.
In its history, Delaware Law Enforcement for Special Olympics has raised more than $10 million to support Special Olympics Delaware’s year-round program of quality sports training and athletic competition for children and adults with intellectual disabilities. A family of enthusiastic volunteers makes this program possible for the thousands of athletes who compete in Special Olympics Delaware. The organization builds sports skills, confidence, strength, motivation, and self-esteem not just for the athletes, but for everyone involved.
