GILROY—As Special Olympians and their supporters made their way to Los Angeles, they passed through Gilroy July 16 and stopped to drum up support and raise awareness about their journey to the Special Olympics World Games, which kicks off July 25.
A group of 10 athletes and 126 law enforcement officers from all over the world—dubbed the final leg team—paused at City Hall after running down Monterey Street, escorted by patrol cars with the Gilroy Police Department and California Highway Patrol. At front and center was the Special Olympics’ “flame of hope,” a torch that will be carried to Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum to light the stadium’s flame at the outset of opening ceremonies.
Their journey began on Monday, July 13 in Sacramento. They ran across the Golden Gate Bridge, visited Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara and passed through Morgan Hill. And the group has felt welcomed and accepted every step of the way, according to Cheryl Cepplak, of Connecticut, running with the group.
“It’s been overwhelming, exciting and emotional to come to a little town like this and have such a warm reception. We feel like rock stars,” Cepplak said, who works for her home state’s department of corrections.
Cody Pierce, a 24-year-old Special Olympics champion from Pittsburgh, Kan. said participation in the international competition has transformed him—and solidified his work ethic.
“Not only has it made me a stronger person, it has made me a better person,” said Pierce, who first got involved in Special Olympics in 2010 and now plays 15 different sports. “It has taught me to work hard to achieve my goals and have fun while I’m doing it.”
Cepplak was initially challenged by a friend to help raise funds and awareness for Special Olympics four years ago, when she participated in her first torch run. But having the opportunity to place medals around the necks of Special Olympians was the clincher, an experience she says she’ll never forget.
“Putting the medals around those athletes’ faces, seeing how they lit up and how proud they were and knowing they stretched themselves, it had me hooked,” Cepplak said.
This year’s final leg team was supported by global law enforcement, including the Gilroy Police Department. GPD Chief Denise Turner said it’s all about changing lives through the power of sports and transforming communities as residents get to meet and interact with courageous people with intellectual disabilities.
“Almost all law enforcement agencies have adopted Special Olympics as their primary fundraising program. In Gilroy, we support the run every year,” she added.
The GPD also hosts an annual fundraiser, called Tip-A-Cop, where officers help serve food at a local restaurant in exchange for “tips” that benefit the Special Olympics, according to Turner.
