Torch Run
The Law Enforcement Torch Run (LETR®) is a long-lasting tradition at the Special Olympic World Games and gets everyone excited about the upcoming event.
The Special Olympics Flame of Hope™ will be lit on 7 June in Athens, Greece, and will then travel through Germany before arriving ceremoniously at the Opening Ceremony of the Special Olympics World Games Berlin 2023.
A big thank you to all who joined. Here are some nice impressions of the LETR® Final Leg at the Games in Berlin:
LETR® at a glance
Berlin, 16 June 2023
• Marzahn-Hellersdorf, starting at 12:55 hrs.
• Lichtenberg, starting at 15:55 hrs.
• Mitte, tbd
Berlin, 17 June 2023
• Tempelhof-Schöneberg and Neukölln, starting at 9:50 hrs.
• Charlottenburg-Wilmersdorf, starting at 12:45 hrs.
• Spandau, starting at 15:45 hrs.
Our program
Law Enforcement Torch Run® (LETR) Final Leg
The original torch run, also known as the LETR® Final Leg, will take place from 14 to 17 June 2023.
As background info: Already since 1981, a tradition has grown in the USA, the country of origin of the Special Olympic movements. The LETR was founded there by six police officers and until today employees of local police authorities contribute to the torch run as well as collect donations. LETR® exists in 51 countries with more than 110,000 members. Hence the registered name is Law Enforcement Torch Run - in short LETR®.
Police officers will also be present at the Special Olympics World Games in Berlin. They will carry the flame together with athletes to the Opening Ceremony. The LETR® Final Leg will be a 4-day event in Berlin and Brandenburg.
More information about the background story of the Law Enforcement Torch Run can be found here.
Inclusion Day powered by Special Olympics
We have launched the initiative "Inclusion Day powered by Special Olympics" as an additional program to the traditional LETR® Final Leg. The goal is to create awareness for the Special Olympics movement throughout Germany.
As part of this, all Host Towns will have the opportunity to celebrate their own Torch Run together with the international delegations on 13 June 2023.
On this day, almost 100 torches will shine brightly throughout Germany. The local torch runs and their program will be as diverse and varied as the communities themselves.
The LETR® Final Leg will be held at the following locations:
14 June
Fürstenwalde/Spree
When:
Celebrations in the municipality: 8:30 to 9:00 hrs.
Torch Run: 9:00 to 9:30 hrs.
Where:
Celebration and Torch run start: Korczak-Schule der Samariteranstalten, August-Bebel-Straße 1-4, 15517 Fürstenwalde/Spree
Special feature: the ceremony and torch run take place together here.
TO THE ROUTE
Rüdersdorf bei Berlin
When:
Torch Run: 11:00 to 11:30 hrs.
Celebrations in the municipality: 11:30 to 12:15 hrs.
Where:
Torch Run: Kulturhaus Martin Anderson Nexö Rüdersdorf, Kalkberger Platz 31, 15562 Rüdersdorf bei Berlin
Celebrations in the municipality: Museumspark Rüdersdorf, Heinitzstraße, 15562 Rüdersdorf bei Berlin
Followed by inclusion festival
TO THE ROUTE
Panketal und Bernau bei Berlin
When:
Torch Run: 13:40 to 14:45 hrs
Celebrations in the municipality: 14:45 to 15:30 hrs
Where:
Torch Run: Gemeine Panketal, Schönower Str. 105, 16341 Panketal and Stadtpark Bernau bei Berlin, ab Grünstraße, 16321 Bernau bei Berlin
Celebrations in the municipality: Marktplatz Bernau bei Berlin, Bürgermeisterstraße, 16321 Bernau bei Berlin
TO THE ROUTE Panketal
TO THE ROUTE Bernau bei Berlin
Eberswalde
When:
Torch Run: 16:45 to 17:15 hrs.
Celebrations in the municipality: 17:15 to 18:00 hrs.
Where:
Torch Run: Sportzentrum Westend, Heegermühler Str. 69A, 16225 Eberswalde
Celebrations in the municipality: Am Markt, 16225 Eberswalde
TO THE ROUTE
15 June
Rathenow
When:
Torch Run: 9:00 to 9:45 hrs
Celebrations in the municipality: 9:45 to 10:30 hrs.
Where:
Torch Run: Friedrich-Ludwig-Jahn-Sportpark, Schwedendamm 8, 14712 Rathenow
Celebrations in the municipality: Grundschule am Weinberg, Schulplatz 3, 14712 Rathenow
TO THE ROUTE
Brandenburg an der Havel
When:
Torch Run: 11:50 to 12:00 hrs.
Celebrations in the municipality: 12:00 to 12:45 hrs.
Where:
Torch Run: Am Neustädtischen Markt, Molkenmarkt 32, 14776 Brandenburg an der Havel
Celebrations in the municipality: Altstädtischer Markt 10, 14770 Brandenburg an der Havel
TO THE ROUTE
Teltow und Kleinmachnow
When:
Torch Run: 15:10 to 15:45 hrs.
Celebrations in the municipality: 15:45 to 16:30 hrs.
Where:
Torch Run: August-Mattausch Park (Amphitheater), Jahnstraße 4, 14513 Teltow
Celebrations in the municipality: Gemeindeamt Kleinmachnow, Adolf-Grimme-Ring 10, 14532 Kleinmachnow
TO THE ROUTE
Potsdam
When:
Torch Run: 17:50 to 18:00 hrs.
Celebrations in the municipality: 18:00 to 18:45 hrs
Where:
Torch Run: Am Alten Markt, 14467 Potsdam
Celebrations in the municipality: Brandenburger Tor Potsdam, Luisenplatz., 14471 Potsdam
TO THE ROUTE
16 June
Treptow-Köpenick
When:
Torch Run: 10:30 to 10:45 hrs.
Celebrations in the municipality: 10:45 to 11:30 hrs.
Where:
Torch Run: Haus Zenner, Alt-Treptow 15, 12435 Berlin
Celebrations in the municipality: Treptower Hafen, Am Treptower Park, Puschkinallee, 12435 Berlin
TO THE ROUTE
Marzahn-Hellersdorf
When:
Torch Run: 12:55 to 13:20 hrs.
Celebrations in the municipality: 13:20 to 14:05 hrs.
Where:
Torch Run: Arena Gärten der Welt, Blumberger Damm 44, 12685 Berlin
Celebrations in the municipality: Arena Gärten der Welt, Blumberger Damm 44, 12685 Berlin
TO THE ROUTE
Lichtenberg
When:
Torch Run: 15:55 to 16:15 hrs.
Celebrations in the municipality: 16:15 to 17:00 hrs.
Where:
Torch Run: Freilichtbühne im Volkspark Lichtenberg (Open Air-Bühne), Stadtpark, Parkaue 30, 10367 Berlin
Celebrations in the municipality: Rathauspark, Rathausstraße, 10365 Berlin
TO THE ROUTE
Mitte
When:
Torch Run: Information on the start time will follow soon.
Celebrations in the municipality: 18:15 to 18:45 hrs.
Where:
Torch Run: Information on the location will follow soon.
Celebrations in the municipality: Special Olympics Festival, Neptunbrunnen, Rathausstraße 1, 10178 Berlin
TO THE ROUTE
17 June
Mitte
When:
Torch Run: 7:55 to 8:05 hrs.
Where:
Joint photo with the Torch Run team in front of the Brandenburg Tor
Note: No public torch relay
TO THE ROUTE
Tempelhof-Schöneberg und Neukölln
When:
Torch Run: 9:50 to 10:20 hrs.
Celebrations in the municipality: 10:20 to 11:20 hrs
Where:
Torch Run: Tempelhofer Feld, Wiese 7, Tempelhofer Damm, 12101 Berlin
Celebrations in the municipality: Tempelhofer Feld, Wiese 7, Tempelhofer Damm, 12101 Berlin
TO THE ROUTE
Charlottenburg-Wilmersdorf
When:
Torch Run: 12:45 Uhr to 13:05 hrs.
Celebrations in the municipality: 13:05 to 13:50 hrs.
Where:
Torch Run: Breitscheidplatz, Kurfürstendamm, 10789 Berlin
Celebrations in the municipality: Breitscheidplatz, Kurfürstendamm, 10789 Berlin
TO THE ROUTE
Spandau
When:
Torch Run: 15:45 to 16:05 hrs.
Celebrations in the municipality: 16:05 to 16:50 hrs.
Where:
Torch Run: Helmut-Schleusener-Stadion, Falkenseer Chaussee 280, 13585 Berlin
Celebrations in the municipality: Helmut-Schleusener-Stadion, Falkenseer Chaussee 280, 13585 Berlin
TO THE ROUTE