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07/03/2015 12:00 AMCheryl Cepelak of Old Saybrook, a deputy commissioner with the state Department of Correction in Wethersfield, will represent Special Olympics Connecticut by running the Final Leg of the Law Enforcement Torch Run at the 2015 Special Olympics World Games in Los Angeles.
The Final Leg tradition is for law enforcement officers representing their country, state, and torch run program, acting as guardians of the flame and carrying the Special Olympics torch and Flame of Hope to the Opening Ceremony of the Special Olympics 2015 World Games in Los Angeles, California. This Torch Run event is called the Final Leg because it represents the culmination of Torch Run events that have occurred previously throughout the world. The Torch Run Final Leg is not only a salute to the athletes from around the world who will compete in the Special Olympics World Games, but also an honor for the participating law enforcement officers who comprise the Torch Run Final Leg Team. The Special Olympics "Flame of Hope," in the entrusted care of the law enforcement community, symbolizes the courage and celebration of diversity that the Special Olympics movement represents.
The Flame Arrival Ceremony is scheduled to be held at the state capitol in Sacramento, California on Monday, July 13. The Flame will then travel throughout the state before reaching the Opening Ceremony in Los Angeles on July 25. The mission of the Final Leg is to create awareness and excitement for Special Olympics, support the attendance of World Games, and also involve, inspire, and motivate runners to increase their level of commitment to Special Olympics when they return to their local programs. The Final Leg Team is comprised of law enforcement runners, Special Olympics athletes, and Logistics Team members from 48 states and 23 countries around the world, representing 79 Torch Run programs.
Cepelak has been selected to be one of the 126 Final Leg Team members based on her dedication and commitment to Special Olympics Connecticut. She has been volunteering and participating in Special Olympics Connecticut and Law Enforcement Torch Run events for the past three years. She has fundraised and participated in three Penguin Plunges at Hammonassett State Park in Madison, two Over the Edge events at Mohegan Sun, and waited tables at multiple Tip-A-Cop events all to benefit Special Olympics Connecticut athletes. Cepelak attended her first Special Olympics Connecticut/Law Enforcement Torch Run conference in Orlando in 2013, where she had the honor of presenting medals to athletes at the Summer Games in Florida.
With 7,000 athletes and 3,000 coaches representing 177 countries, along with 30,000 volunteers and an anticipated 500,000 spectators, the 2015 Special Olympics World Games will take place in Los Angeles, California from July 25 to Aug. 2. It will be the largest sports and humanitarian event in the world in 2015 and the biggest event in Los Angeles since the 1984 Summer Olympic Games. The Games will feature 25 Olympic-style sports in venues throughout the Los Angeles region. Special Olympics Connecticut will be sending three athletes and one Unified Partner to compete in the World Games.
The Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics Connecticut is one of the movement's largest grass-roots fundraisers and public awareness vehicles. This year-round program involves law enforcement officers from across the state who volunteer their time to raise awareness and funds through events that include Tip-a-Cops, Cop-on-Tops, and Jail N' Bail fundraisers. In addition, each year in June more than 1,500 officers and athletes carry the Special Olympics Flame of Hope through hundreds of cities and towns across the state, covering more than 530 miles through three days. The runners run the Final Leg and light the ceremonial cauldron during Opening Ceremonies for the Special Olympics Connecticut Summer Games.
Special Olympics Connecticut provides year-round sports training and competitions for more than 13,000 athletes of all ages with intellectual disabilities and Unified Sports partners—their teammates without disabilities. Through the joy of sport, the Special Olympics movement transforms lives and communities throughout the state and in 170 countries around the world by promoting good health and fitness and inspiring inclusion and respect for all people both on and off the playing field.
For more information about Special Olympics Connecticut, visit www.soct.org.