PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — Superintendent Tony Watlington took a turn Friday carrying a torch on its journey from Philadelphia to the Main Line on Friday to kick off the Special Olympics Fall Festival at Villanova University.
“I hope it symbolizes inclusivity for all of our students, including our Special Olympics kids, and students who may have some challenges or disabilities,” Philadelphia’s schools chief told KYW Newsradio.
Watlington, dressed in a T- shirt and running shorts, picked up the “Flame of Hope” in front of district headquarters and ran with it to City Hall.
“It’s a big tent for all of us in the school district and we want to make sure that we provide enriching opportunities for all of us,” he said.
One of those opportunities, said district Athletic Director Dr. James Lynch, is the “Unified Champion” program, in about 40 Philadelphia schools. Students with and without disabilities compete on the same bocce, soccer and track teams.
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“Just seeing the amount of kids that get involved, the excitement, the ability for them to really compete and to hold a Philadelphia Public League title just like their counterparts — it’s a really neat thing to see.”
The 26-mile torch run began at Xfinity Live in South Philadelphia, wound its way north to Spring Garden Street, and ended at Villanova University. The run provided a ceremonial start to the 34th annual Fall Festival, a three-day Special Olympics competition.
“It’s bringing people together, particularly people with intellectual disabilities, their families, their champions, to see them compete,” said Chase Trimmer, the Philadelphia program director for Special Olympics Pennsylvania.
About 200 people, including members of local law enforcement agencies, participated in the torch run. The event raised about $30,000, Trimmer said.
“The torch run is a fundraising event to support all of the work that we do across the state so that our athletes or participants never have any costs,” he said.