'Made It Look Effortless': Tinley Special Olympics Star Athlete Leads Way, Carries Flame Of Hope On Torch Run

TINLEY PARK, IL — A Tinley Park runner and longtime Special Olympics participant might have thought he couldn't top last year's experience of leading local police on their leg of the Law Enforcement Torch Run.

Nicholas Diaz, 29, who has autism and finds great joy in running, has competed in the Special Olympics—the cause at the heart of the torch run's fundraising efforts—for more than 19 years. Diaz not only joined Detective Robby Frias and members of the Tinley Park Police Department in their 2.5-mile stretch relaying the torch this year—he carried it the whole way.

"He’s a stud," remarked Frias. "He did a great job this year. He kept a great pace. He’s a pro."

The praise is nothing new to Diaz, who has hundreds of medals and trophies to his name—spanning track and field, basketball, volleyball, flag football and more, his mother told Patch last year.

Diaz first spoke with Tinley Park police during the department's Cop on a Rooftop fundraiser last year (also to benefit Special Olympics), and mentioned the idea.

"It’s not easy to run this with them," Diaz previously told Patch, noting that it's usually a several-mile stretch with heat factored in. But she was confident he could do it—and he has, twice now.

"The entirety of the run, he carried the torch," Frias said, impressed. "He had a firm grasp on it."

On another scorching hot day under a blazing sun, the group made its way through their stretch. Detective Robby Frias praised Nick's spirit.

"He smiled while he did it," Frias said. "Made it look effortless."

Diaz said he might have surprised some of the police officers participating.

"They probably didn’t know he could run," she said, chuckling. "He can run."

An officer kept stride with him each step, also helping by placing a hand on the torch.

"He carried it the entire time, he was so confident," he said. "His stride was effortless. We were right there with him in tandem."

Frias said Diaz's leading the pack was inspiring to those participants who maybe aren't active runners.

"Any time they looked like they were going to fall out, you'd get energized when you hold that torch with an athlete," Frias said. "A surge of energy, you can’t beat it."

A graduate of Kirby District 140 school and District 230's Andrew High School, Nick first took off running at Prairie View, Diaz said. As he kept working at it, he seemed to pick up speed. She signed him up with the South Suburban Special Recreation Association, a therapeutic recreation program that is an extension of eight park districts and three recreation and parks departments. It is organized to provide individuals with disabilities or special needs, the opportunity to be involved in year-round recreation.

His freshman year in high school, he represented Andrew High School in the Special Olympics. He went on to run cross country for the school sophomore through senior years, and ultimately was the second-fastest on the team. While competing with them, Nick did not participate in Special Olympics, but upon graduating, returned to the organization.

"Track is really his passion," Diaz told Patch previously. "He’s tall, has skinny, long legs. It is so good for him. I think he burns his energy. And I think he has such a high tolerance for pain, Nick just pushes through it.

"He just doesn’t stop. He just enjoys it."

Running has given him a social outlet, as well. Though Nick does not run outside unaccompanied, the mother-son duo frequent Tinley Park-Park District facilities, where Nick runs on the treadmill four days a week, five miles each time. When weather permits, they move to Horsetail Lake near McCarthy Park, where a loop around the lake is a mile. Nick runs 3-4 miles, while Diaz walks.

They also enjoy pickleball and swimming, but Nick's heart seems to be in running.

"I still think track is his passion," Diaz said.

Tinley Park's leg of the run was one of just many through the south suburbs, as the torch known as the Flame of Hope makes its way to its destination at the Special Olympics Summer Games in Bloomington-Normal.

It's an annual occurrence, with other fundraising efforts also centered around it. Held in May, the popular Cop on a Rooftop also drums up support for the torch run and Special Olympics Illinois as an organization. Tinley Park police raised $15,346.65 at this year's event across all Dunkin' locations within the town.

"It was so wonderful," said Nick's mother, Joan Diaz. "These guys are amazing people, who do this for Special Olympics. I just want everyone to know about it, maybe support them more."

Diaz said they've gotten to know police well through the fundraising efforts.

"We became friends with all these people," she said. "They have embraced him. It’s wonderful to see."

The pleasure was all theirs, Frias said.

"Having someone like Nick lead us—he’s able to represent exactly what we’re hoping for: hope, courage, dedication, inclusion and resilience," Frias said. "That guy did not have a frown the entire day."

The responsibility and honor of carrying the torch through town were matched along the way by supporters' cheers.

"Motorists, pedestrians beeping and honking and cheering—they’re getting a spark from that torch," Frias said. "Hopefully it ignites something in them, too. Maybe cheering something on, supporting a fundraising event.

"They recognize us, they recognize Nick—it makes these events exactly what we hope them to be."

The 2026 Special Olympics Illinois Summer Games opened Friday, with more than 15,000 participants, including 3,500 athletes, 1,250 coaches, 1,200 volunteers, and 10,000 family members, for a three-day celebration of inclusion and achievement. Spectators are welcome.