Opening ceremonies

BOISE -- Idaho welcomed Special Olympians from around the world in a special ceremony at Taco Bell Arena this afternoon.

It marked the beginning of the Special Olympics Invitational Winter Games.  Athletes got to experience the pageantry of opening ceremonies, which was broadcast live locally on 24/7 and on the worldwide web on KTVB.COM.

Earlier in the day, the Special Olympics flame of hope was carried through the streets of Boise and arrived at the arena with the help of state law enforcement officers and Wal-Mart employees.

Today's torch run served as a trial run for next year's statewide torch run that will involve law enforcement officers from around the world.

Starting at the Julia Davis Park band shell and ending at Taco Bell Arena, around 60 police officers from around the state along with over 400 local Wal-Mart employees, chanted "we are the torch run, the mighty, mighty torch run,"

Next year's torch run will be similar to today's event but will include hundreds of law enforcement officers from different nations.

In 2009 it will also be carried to different cities throughout the state.

Police officers, who are considered guardians of the flame, say the enthusiasm felt today is a good indication of how things will go next year.

“We're law enforcement so we look out for those people that need extra help and extra services and extra protection.  With us being guardians of the flame it helps us to accommodate them,” said Sgt. Jeff Mosbrucker, Blackfoot Police.

“Whether it's Wal-Mart, Sams Club employees, law enforcement officers from all over the state. They're here for one reason and one reason only and that's for Special Olympics athletes,” said Boise Police Officer Tim Beaudoin.

Today's torch route took officers down Capital Boulevard to Main Street and then down Broadway Avenue to Taco Bell Arena.