Tokyo passed Flame of Hope to Paris

WHY IN THE NEWS?

Amid the ongoing covid-19 pandemic and approaching typhoon, Tokyo Olympics 2020 was finally concluded on August 8, 2021. Japanese capital pulled the curtains down on one of the most unique Games in history and handed over the flame of hope to Paris.

About:

Flame of hope or the flag was passed to Paris with the message of moving forward. It also remembered those who lost their lives to Covid-19 pandemic.

What is Flame of Hope?

Flame of Hope is the symbol of the Special Olympics Games. It is used much in the same spirit as the Olympic Flame is used at the Olympic Games. The Flame of Hope is lit during a traditional ceremony in Athens, Greece. After lighting, it is relayed on foot towards the organizing city by the members of law enforcement agencies comprising mostly policemen and policewomen along with Special Olympics athletes. The relay, officially the Law Enforcement Torch Run, is the flagship of an international fundraising effort.

2018 flame of hope

Flame of Hope was memorialized by Chicago Park District in 2018 that erected the 30 foot “Eternal Flame of Hope” to honour the Special Olympics.

Special Olympics

Special Olympics is world’s largest sports organization for children and adults with disabilities. It provides them a year-round training and activities to 5 million participants and Unified Sports partners across 172 countries. Special Olympics competitions are held every day across the world including local, national and regional competitions. Special Olympics organization is also recognized by the International Olympic Committee on the line of Paralympic Games. However, Special Olympics World Games are not held in the same year or in conjunction with the Olympic Games