Nearly 300 Special Olympics of Pennsylvania (SOPA) athletes, coaches and volunteers gathered from all over the state at Seven Springs Mountain Resort on February 11, 2025, to kick off the SOPA Winter Games. They were assisted by law enforcement agencies from Allegheny, Washington and Westmoreland counties, who serve as the "Guardians of the Flame." A Special Olympic athlete and University of Pittsburgh Police Department's Sergeant Urban escorted the torch down the mountain to light the cauldron, kicking off the events, which included Alpine skiing, snowboarding and snowshoeing, for the Winter Games. Law enforcement officers presented awards to participating athletes.
The L aw Enforcement Torch Run (LETR) engages law enforcement worldwide to champion acceptance and inclusion for individuals with intellectual disabilities starting with their local communities. In Pennsylvania, LETR partners with SOPA in various events to help raise awareness and fundraise. Law enforcement officers receive the biggest benefit from this partnership because of how positive and rewarding the experience of the relationships that are built with the athletes and their families are. Several of the SOPA/LETR events throughout the year include various statewide Polar Plunges, Winter Games at Seven Springs, Spring Sectionals at Carnegie Mellon University, Summer Games at Baldwin High School, Bowling Sectionals, Golf Outings, Unified Sports Experiences throughout the state, and the Torch Run from Pittsburgh to State College, as well as the Capital Torch Run in Harrisburg in the Fall.