Special Olympics torch starts journey through county
Torch for summer games carried by law enforcement officers through San Luis Obispo County
–The Special Olympics Southern California torch began its 30th journey through San Luis Obispo County this morning in Paso Robles. Officers from the Paso Robles Police Department began the run at 8 a.m. and the torch will travel through the county today and tomorrow. It is expected to travel through Atascadero later today at around 10 a.m.
The Special Olympics Summer Games will be held June 11 and 12 at Cal State Long Beach. The games enriches the lives of more than 26,000 athletes with intellectual disabilities and their communities through sports, education, and athlete health.
Regional Director of Special Olympics for the county Jody Watty said the torch began its journey in Paso Robles as it is the northern most part of the county. “The torch will travel through the north county today and tomorrow, resting in San Luis Obispo tonight and tomorrow it will end in Pismo where we hand the torch to the Santa Barbara County,” she said. “The torch is on its way to Cal State Long Beach for the games on Saturday. There are 50 athletes from the North County competing in the events including aquatics, athletics, golf and bocce.”
Watty said they had a great relationship with county law enforcement and hundreds of officers would run with the torch over the course of its journey. “We are very very lucky to have such great support from law enforcement for our local special olympic athletes,” she said.
For further information visit www.sosc.org.