The Alabama Special Olympics State Games may not have happened this year due to COVID, but part of the Olympic tradition still carried on through the efforts of the state’s law enforcement community.

The Statewide Alabama Law Enforcement Torch Run ended on Troy University‘s John Lewis Quad on Friday afternoon.

Even though the Special Olympics were cancelled this year due to COVID, organizers held the run to bring attention to the games.

“It sends a strong signal to the community and especially to our Special Olympic athletes and their families that we’re still here for them,” says Law Enforcement Liaison for the Special Olympics Bob Copus. “In fact on our shirt we’ve got ‘still burning strong’ and the reason why we put that is so they know that next year when they do come back we’re going to be down here with them again.”

In addition to bringing attention to the games, the Law Enforcement Torch Run organization holds fundraisers throughout the year to support the state games.

“We do roof sits at Walmart,” says Torch Run State Director and University Police Chief George Beaudry. “We do cops at donut shops with Dunkin Donuts. We’ll be doing some things on campus in the fall with during football games.”

For the full story watch Cailey’s report.