Olmsted Deputy Part of Special Olympics Elite Team

An Olmsted County deputy will be in New Jersey this weekend for a big assignment -

taking part in the prestigious “Final Leg” team of the 2014 Special Olympics USA Games Law Enforcement Torch Run. Deputy David Williams is a member of what’s called The Final Leg team. It consists of 52 law enforcement officers representing all 50 states and the District of Columbia and six Special Olympics athletes who conducted multiple, extensive runs and ceremonies in cities, towns and communities in and around New Jersey, New York and Pennsylvania this week to raise awareness about the 2014 USA Games and Special Olympics.

The Final Leg culminates with the elite team delivering the Flame of Hope to the opening ceremony of the 2014 USA Games in Newark this Sunday.

The Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics is the Special Olympics movement’s largest grass-root fundraiser and public awareness vehicle in the world. In 2012, law enforcement volunteers raised $46.3 million for Special Olympics programs around the world and eclipsed $462 million since the inception of the LETR in 1981.

The Special Olympics USA Games will be held in New Jersey June 14-21. Nearly 3,500 athletes will compete in 16 Olympic-style team and individual sports, with the support of 1,000 coaches, 10,000 volunteers and 70,000 family, friends and spectators.