FIRST-EVER SPECIAL OLYMPICS UNIFIED RELAY ACROSS AMERICA PRESENTED BY BANK OF AMERICA WILL STOP IN CHICAGO

DATE: June 12-14, 2015

Chicagoland residents will participate in a once in a lifetime experience: carrying the Special Olympics Flame of Hope as the torch makes its historic journey across America, on its way to the 2015 Special Olympics World Games in Los Angeles, CA. The Special Olympics Unified Relay Across America aims to unite the country, increase understanding and acceptance of people with intellectual disabilities, and create communities of acceptance and inclusion along the way. Chicagoans who raised funds for Special Olympics have earned the honor of carrying the torch through the state. In the “unified” spirit of the Relay, local Special Olympics athletes will also take part, including Barrington resident Special Olympics USA athlete Jacob McManus, who will represent the U.S. at the Special Olympics World Games this summer. The torch will arrive in downtown Chicago on Friday evening and depart the city on Sunday morning making its way to Wisconsin.

On Saturday, a free community celebration, open to all ages, will be held at Navy Pier. This will be the only opportunity area residents not participating in the Relay itself will have to see the Special Olympics Flame of Hope as the torch makes this historic journey across America, on its way to the 2015 Special Olympics World Games in Los Angeles, CA, this summer. This community celebration event is a fun way for everyone to support Special Olympics and unify the community. The event will feature local dignitaries, live music and Unified flag football and Bache ball games.

Participants and supporters can see a map of all routes and follow the Flame of Hope at www.unifiedrelay.org as it makes its way across the United States and donate to the Special Olympics by texting FLAME to 91999. For those who want to participate in the relay, please click here for registration and additional details.

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