AUSTIN (KXAN) – Law enforcement officers from across central Texas, including police officers from Austin, ran alongside Special Olympics athletes to the Texas Capitol on Tuesday morning for their annual Special Olympics run Texas Torch Run.
Police officers and Special Olympics athletes gathered in the Austin American-Statesman’s parking lot at 9 a.m., where they began the 1.2-mile journey to the South Steps of the Texas Capitol.
The Texas Special Olympics Torch Run began in 1985 in Texas and has raised over $ 11 million over the past decade for programs in local communities, which involve more than 44,000 athletes statewide.
“Really just being here to show our support for these amazing young men and women who are on the program – that’s what we love to do,” said Austin Police Chief Joseph Chacon. “It’s an inspiration for us, and I think it’s an inspiration for the community. “
Chacon has a daughter with special needs who is a Special Olympics athlete who has been unable to compete for over a year due to the coronavirus pandemic but is happy that competitions are resuming.
“The Special Olympics credo, ‘Please let me win, but if I can’t win let me be brave in my attempt’, is just something that should be an inspiration to people, ”Chacon said.
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