7 News Belize

The Torch Run Of the Special Olympics
posted (December 6, 2013)
Today, the 2013 Nationals for the Special Olympics were held at the Marion Jones Sporting Complex. It is an opportunity for Belizean youths living with disabilities to show off their other impressive abilities and become sporting icons.

And Special Olympics has the support of the entire National Security Ministry of Belize. That's what we found out as all the law enforcement agencies ended a 5-day torch bearing run all the way from Punta Gorda to Belize. Daniel Ortiz was out at the entrance of the city when the officers jogged in, proud of their contribution:

Daniel Ortiz reporting
This morning at 5 a.m., the Torch for the Special Olympics left Ladyville on its way to Belize City, 9 miles of running where the bearers carried it at different intervals.

The run was a collaborative effort to get it this far. It travelled all the way from Punta Gorda, where the 5 Law enforcement agencies in the country, those being Police, Coast Guard, BDF, Customs, and Immigration, all worked together to get it to its end point.

At the Flag Monument, we caught the torch bearer and his companions, which included officers from all these agencies in high spirits, chanting, and moving with energy.

They made the long run look like a jog around the block. All through the city, the torch bearers moved with purpose, hand-offs made to symbolize unity while raising awareness for Belizeans living with disabilities, and their opportunity to show off their latent abilities:

Senior Superintendent Louise Willis - Coordinator, Law Enforcement Torch Run
"The reason for this Law Enforcement Torch Run is basically to bring awareness to persons with special needs and at the same time raise funds for them. This morning which is the 6th December, they will be having their national games and of course they need monies for that. They will also be going to California in 2015 and we are also assisting in raising funds for that event."

Sergeant Elroy Carcamo - Coordinator, Law Enforcement Torch Run
"When we started out we were optimistic to see what was going to run. We had good working relationships with the different law enforcement agencies such as Customs, Coast Guard, BDF and Immigration. They worked along closely with us from the beginning until the end especially when we started the run Monday in Punta Gorda, we had full representation out there and along the way we had representatives from some of the agencies. When we arrived here today we had full representation again."

So, what did the travel look like for the past 5 days?

PC Wilfredo Petillo - Participant, Law Enforcement Torch Run
"It was tiring but nevertheless the community that came out gave us that motivation, that encouragement and it's meaningful in regards to taking the Flame of Hope which is very prestigious. I couldn't do without my comrades that motivated me and pushed me all the way."

PC Nicholas Gomez - Participant, Law Enforcement Torch Run
"While collecting, I had no problem with the people. I thank each and every Belizean who puts in from one cent to two dollars to one dollars cheque."

Daniel Ortiz
"Being a part of it from since it began on Monday, what was that experience like for you sir?"

PC Nicholas Gomez - Participant, Law Enforcement Torch Run
"Sir, it was a good experience to see how people think; how some people think positive, a few people think negative but it was for a good cause and even if they don't give, I still tell them thanks and may God bless them and we moved on."

PC Nery Waight - Participant, Law Enforcement Torch Run
"It was 5 days filled with a lot of emotions but it was a wonderful experience. When we left off from PG people greeted us very well along the way. That was what gave us the strength and we are really glad for everyone who came out and supported us."

Recruit Victor Noble - Participant, Law Enforcement Torch Run
"We were up from 3am this morning. We were brought to Belize City and we were told that we were going to run from the Haulover Bridge to Marion Jones Stadium, but actually we took over at Courts Belize from the BDF and we came through most principal streets here in Belize City and end up here at the Marion Jones Stadium."

Daniel Ortiz
"Tell us about the experience sir? We saw that you guys were lengthening the run at certain points. What was that like after you've sweat a couple minutes and they are saying okay we need to buy more time."

Recruit Victor Noble - Participant, Law Enforcement Torch Run
"Actually I was a flag holder, so I had to run throughout. I believe the rest of the troops kept up and they kept strong."

The Torch Run, however, is only a part of opening Ceremony of the 2013 Special Olympics.

Isaac Sanft - Director: Support Programs, Special Olympics Arizona
"We from Arizona are just here as guest here trying to help connect the resources and help build a strong structure that we have been doing here. The LETR (Law Enforcement Torch Run) started with the torch and is bring it through all the areas in Belize where the competitions and things are being taken place. This is the national game, so this is hosted here in Belize City. The other areas or other regions throughout the state have competitions where they qualify and then they come here to compete all together. Today they will be doing football and track and field. Athletes like Jeff here have the opportunity to have a typical sports experience that any kid or any adult deserves. A lot of us had those opportunities and before the Special Olympics came along people with intellectual disabilities didn't have those opportunities. People with disabilities were not looked at as sports icons or people that you look up to to sports. They can be and we are here to prove to the world and the police that people with intellectual disabilities have so many different abilities and to see the abilities and not the disabilities."

Even the commanders took time out of their busy schedules to participate.

Admiral John Borland - Commandant, Belize Coast Guard
"In the military we say there is only one way to lead and that's to lead by example. Anything we ask our men to do we must be prepared to do it as well as them or even better. The men appreciate when we are out there with them breathing the elements, facing what we are facing, supporting them, motivating them, adding to the moral, improving their welfare - nothing pleases or impresses the men more than their commander or their leader being out there with them leading by example as we should be."

Brigadier General David Jones - Commander, Belize Defence Force
"It's good for us to keep in shape and these are the things that motivate us when we are around especially in the public domain. Its good for them to see what the level of fitness that our security forces are."

ACP Russell Blackett - Participant, Law Enforcement Torch Run
"As leaders we must lead from the front. We must show our followers, our subordinates the right way to go and do the right thing. Its definitely as honor for me to be here in supporting ventures like this. This is something positive for the country, for human kind moreover all across the world and Belize should be proud to be a part of this also."

Admiral John Borland - Commandant, Belize Coast Guard
"It's a very noble and honorable cause, so we've been at it since Monday supporting, taking on leg after leg along with the police and the BDF. Special Olympics for people with special needs are a near and dear topic to me and we are very supportive of these people with special needs especially the kids and we would go to any lengths to support such a venture. My men are motivated, we are please and happy to be supporting over the last 5 days and we will continue throughout today."

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