Flame of Hope in Rotherham for 2017 Special Olympics Torch Run

Latest news in Yorkshire: July 31, 2017 12:58:32 PM

Special Olympics GB’s National Games are to be held in Sheffield and South Yorkshire this August.

Location: Rotherham, South Yorkshire

2.30pm: Torch Runners arrive at Rotherham Town Hall

2.40pm: Torch Runners depart Rotherham Town Hall for run, via Rotherham Town Centre and the Effingham Clock to Minster Gardens, Rotherham

3pm: Torch Runners arrive Minster Gardens

Torch Runners: PC James Beck / Sergeant Aneela Khalil-Khan
2017 Special Olympics GB National Summer Games

Tuesday 8 August – Friday 11 August 2017

The Official Special Olympics Torch Run with the ‘Flame of Hope’ will commence ten days before the start of the Games on Thursday 27th July with the torch lighting ceremony at the memorial to Dr William Penny Brookes at the Holy Trinity Church, Much Wenlock, North Shropshire – the historic birthplace of the modern Olympic Games.

Special Olympics GB’s National Games will see in the region of 2,600 athletes with intellectual (learning) disabilities take part in 20 sports events. Special Olympics GB’s tenth National Summer Games will be held for the second time in Sheffield – the first time was back in the steel city in 1993.

The 2017 Law Enforcement Torch Run® for Special Olympics Great Britain will transport the ‘Flame of Hope’ from Much Wenlock on an exciting tour of towns and cities over a 10 day period. The ‘Flame of Hope’ will be escorted by representatives from the police forces.

After travelling over 200 miles through 10 towns, cities and locations, The Flame of Hope will arrive at Bramall Lane in Sheffield on Tuesday 8th August and make its way to the Special Olympics GB National Games Opening Ceremony.

Special Olympics would like to thank most sincerely PS Darren Hendleman from South Yorkshire Police and the Wenlock Olympian Society for the organisation and support.

Special Olympics GB’s National Summer Games will kick off with a spectacular Olympic-style Opening Ceremony on Tuesday 8th August at Sheffield United Football Club, Bramall Lane – and will continue with four days of sport.

Two of the categories will take place in Rotherham – the equestrian events at Aston’s Parklands riding centre, and golf at Rother Valley Golf Centre, Wales Bar.

Special Olympics GB is the largest registered charity providing year round sports training and competition opportunities for people with intellectual (learning) disabilities. This event is the largest disability sports event of 2017 and entry is free to the public for all the sporting action.

Special Olympics GB National Games final led torch run route:

Thursday 27 July

Special Olympics Official Flame Of Hope Lighting Ceremony

Much Wenlock, Shropshire

Tuesday 1 August

Ripon, North Yorkshire

Wednesday 2 August

Queens Garden, Hull, Humberside

Thursday 3 August

Wakefield Town Centre, Wakefield

Friday 4 August

South Yorkshire

Leg 1:

Barnsley Town Centre, Barnsley, South Yorkshire

Depart Barnsley Town Hall approx. 10.30am for an arrival at the New Barnsley Markets for 11am

Leg 2:

Doncaster, South Yorkshire

Depart Elmfield Park, Doncaster approx. 12.30pm for an arrival at the Doncaster Deaf Trust for 1pm

Leg 3:

Rotherham Town Centre, Rotherham, South Yorkshire

Depart Rotherham Town Hall approx. 2.30 pm on a route going past Effingham clock tower for an arrival at Minster Gardens for 3pm

Tuesday 8 August

Sheffield

Leg 1:

Meadowhall, Sheffield, South Yorkshire

Arrival at Meadowhall 11am approx

Leg 2:

Weston Park, Weston Park Museum, Sheffield, South Yorkshire

Arrival at Weston Park approx 3.30pm

Leg 3:

Sheffield Town Centre, via the Moor, to top of Bramall Lane

Arrive for handover to final Flame Guardian at 7.45pm, arrive at SUFC stadium 8pm

The Flame will be passed between athletes from each region then finally to a Special Olympics GB Yorkshire and Humberside region athlete. This final athlete will pass the Flame to the waiting South Yorkshire Police Chief Constable who will light the symbolic cauldron to mark the official start of the Special Olympics GB 2017 National Games.

Yorkshire Photography