UKPD Captain Guided Flame of Hope to World Games
University of Kentucky Police Captain Chuck Adams Recounts His Experience
at the World Games Law Enforcement Torch Run Final Leg
By Chuck Adams
Awesome, amazing, hard to describe are just a few words and phrases I have used recently in trying to explain the experience of being part of the Final Leg Law Enforcement Torch Run 2025 for the World Winter Games in Turin Italy. The time spent with law enforcement officers and athletes from around the world brought me a deeper understanding of the impact the Torch Run has on so many. Spending time with our athletes reminded me of the positive impact they can have on law enforcement.
On February 22, I left Lexington and after some flight changes and lost luggage, we arrived in Athens Greece the next day. First on the agenda was the lighting of the Flame of Hope at Zappeion Hall on the 25th . That evening, we traveled with the flame to Rome and then attended a service on the 26th at St. Peter’s Basilica where the flame received a blessing. After all of this we traveled to Turin to meet up with the rest of the team and start the Final Leg. For the rest of the week, we ran each day, usually two times, in beautiful smaller towns in the Piedmont region. Each stop after the run, there would be a ceremony in the town square and a dance party, all to raise awareness about Special Olympics.
This experience, as I mentioned in the beginning, is hard to describe. The camaraderie between runners and athletes is very special and the encouragement they give us still every day is awesome. Through this time, I now have a better understanding of the role LETR plays in Special Olympics. There is a stronger desire to help our program grow across the state, spreading awareness of Special Olympics and its goal of inclusion.
I want to thank Special Olympics Kentucky for nominating me to represent our program and the Commonwealth. Thank you to Chief Joe Monroe and the University of Kentucky for supporting me in this endeavor. Also, I want to thank everyone that donated to the Polar Plunge fundraiser. With your help, we raised $12,805, well above my individual goal. Overall, the 2025 LETR Final Leg raised $352, 536 to support Special Olympics.
“Torch Run, Torch Run, Know our Name… We are the Guardians of the Flame!”