Indiana State Police Trooper Susan Rinschler
TO CARRY THE FLAME OF HOPEÂ FOR SPECIAL OLYMPICS
WORLD GAMES LOS ANGELES 2015 FINAL LEG
Flame serves as beacon of inspiration to thousands during the
Law Enforcement Torch Run Final Leg in California
Indianapolis—On May 14th, 2015, the Flame of Hope, the official torch for the Special Olympics World Games Los Angeles 2015, will be lit at the Sacred Site of Pnyx, opposite the Acropolis in Athens, Greece, formally beginning its journey to the World Games. In keeping with Olympic tradition and custom dating back to the Ancient Greeks, the torch will be lit by the sun’s rays, and will remain lit until the end of the Games on 2 August. Trooper Susan Rinschler of Indianapolis will serve as a Guardian of the Flame of Hope and participate in the Law Enforcement Torch Run Final Leg, the last journey of the flame throughout the state of California. Trooper Rinschler has been selected by the Indiana Law Enforcement Torch Run and Special Olympics of Indiana to be one of the 126 Final Leg Team members. Law enforcement personnel are selected for this honor by their local Torch Run and Special Olympics program for their dedication and commitment to the Special Olympics movement.
After the official lighting, the flame will begin its journey through all 50 states and the District of Columbia as a part of the historic Special Olympics Unified Relay Across America presented by Bank of America. At the conclusion of the Unified Relay, the Flame of Hope will be handed over to the 2015 Los Angeles Final Leg Team, where it will travel for 17 days to more than 125 cities and towns throughout California, honoring the spirit of the Special Olympics global movement and delivering a message of hope to communities where people with intellectual disabilities continue to fight for acceptance and inclusion. At each stop, the flame will be carried by teams of law enforcement personnel and Special Olympics athletes representing 48 states and 23 countries around the world, on a course allowing thousands of spectators to witness its important journey.
“The Flame of Hope’s journey is symbolic of our global mission to deliver inspiration and hope to Special Olympics athletes and their families, break down barriers to equality that still exist, and create awareness for social change worldwide,†said Janet Froetscher CEO of Special Olympics, who will participate in the official lighting ceremony in Greece on May 14th. “We are fortunate to be able to deliver the flame and everything it stands for – hope, courage, opportunity, inspiration and equality – to our athletes because of the experience and expertise of our partners in law enforcement throughout the world.â€
Trooper Rinschler, a three year veteran of the Indiana State Police stated, “This is a very humbling and exciting opportunity and I am very proud to not only represent the Indiana State Police but all citizens of Indiana.â€
The Flame of Hope will complete its journey on 25 July when the Law Enforcement Torch Run Final Leg team carries it into the Opening Ceremony of the 2015 World Games on 25 July, and it ignites the cauldron at the historic Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, site of the 1932 and ’84 Olympics Opening Ceremony.  The public will be able to see daily photographs, videos and read reports of the Flame of Hope’s journey online at: letr.finalleg.org
About the 2015 Los Angeles Law Enforcement Torch Run Final Leg
The Final Leg tradition is for law enforcement officers, representing their country, state and Torch Run Program, to act as “Guardians of the Flame†and carry the Special Olympics Torch and “Flame of Hope” to the Opening Ceremonies of the Special Olympics World Games. 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 Olympic flame symbolizes the light of spirit, knowledge and life. With identical power and majesty, 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 2015 Final Leg will precede the Special Olympics World Games held in Los Angeles, California. The Flame Arrival Ceremony is scheduled for the state capitol in Sacramento, California on Monday, 13 July. The flame will then travel throughout the state before reaching the Opening Ceremony in Los Angeles on 25 July. The mission of the Final Leg is to create awareness and excitement for Special Olympics, support and attendance of the World Games, and 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 (126 members strong) 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. Final Leg runners were chosen for their dedication and commitment to the Law Enforcement Torch Run and Special Olympics by their respective Torch Run Programs throughout the world. For more information on the Law Enforcement Torch Run Final Leg for the 2015 World Games, please contact Final Leg Committee Chairman and Team Captain John Newnan at final.leg@gmail.com
About the Law Enforcement Torch Run (LETR)
