FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact:

Barbara Love, NMLETR Liaison

barbara@sonm.org

505-263-5986

Deputy Cathy Carnes will represent New Mexico in the Law Enforcement Torch Run® for Special Olympics Final Leg on the road to the 2026 Special Olympics USA Games

NEW MEXICO, May 26, 2026: Special Olympics New Mexico is proud to announce that Lea County Sheriff’s Office Deputy Cathy Carnes is one of 53 officers selected to carry the Flame of Hope torch during the Law Enforcement Torch Run® (LETR) Final Leg for the 2026 Special Olympics USA Games. The LETR Final Leg, sponsored by Jersey Mike’s Subs, kicks off on Friday, May 29. This historic, coast-to-coast journey unites law enforcement and athletes as they head toward Minnesota, where approximately 3,000 competitors, including 30 Special Olympics athletes from New Mexico, will participate in 16 Olympic-style sports from June 20-26, 2026.

The LETR Final Leg serves as the ultimate countdown to the USA Games, spanning May 29–June 20, 2026. The Flame of Hope will be carried from Chicago, the birthplace of Special Olympics, and travel along two parallel routes across the East Coast and West/Central regions, before converging in Minnesota.

Among those carrying the torch is a local law enforcement officer selected to represent New Mexico in this iconic LETR Final Leg. This opportunity is awarded to a limited number of athletes and law enforcement officials, nominated by their local Programs for their profound dedication to Special Olympics and leadership within the LETR movement. Deputy Carnes was nominated for her ongoing dedication and passion to Special Olympics New Mexico athletes both in her community and across the state. Her support included awarding medals at local Area and State Competitions, as well as organizing and leading numerous fundraisers that raised over $60,000 for Special Olympics in 2025.

“Being chosen to represent New Mexico and Special Olympics athletes by running in the Final Leg for the 2026 Special Olympics USA Games is a huge honor and privilege for me,” Carnes shared. “When I first started participating in Special Olympics, I would watch the videos of all those who participated in the Final Leg and thought to myself: what an honor. It was a dream of mine to carry the Flame of Hope torch at a national or international Final Leg.”

Along the way, the Flame of Hope will be carried through 13 states, across all time zones, and will cover approximately 10,000 miles. The Torch Run will feature a national team of 73 participants, including 53 law enforcement officers and six Special Olympics athletes.

The LETR Final Leg will culminate on June 20, 2026, at Huntington Bank Stadium on the University of Minnesota campus, where the Flame of Hope will ignite the cauldron and officially open the 2026 Special Olympics USA Games.

Supporters can follow the Flame of Hope’s journey in real-time through an interactive route tracker with local ceremony details available at 2026specialolympicsusagames.org and follow @2026USAGames on social media for the latest updates. Community members, organizations, and fans can also join the movement by signing up to volunteer for the 2026 Special Olympics USA Games, and staying connected as the countdown continues.

About Special Olympics USA Games

The 2026 Special Olympics USA Games, scheduled for June 20–26, 2026, across Minnesota’s Twin Cities with sports competitions at the University of Minnesota and the National Sports Center in Blaine, is a national celebration of inclusivity, changing perceptions and the ability of the human spirit rising above limitations. The USA Games, with co-presenting partners Jersey Mike’s Subs and UnitedHealthcare, will be one of the biggest U.S. sporting events of the year, drawing tens of thousands of fans to celebrate the ability of nearly 3,000 incredible athletes from all 50 states as they compete in 16 Olympic-type team and individual sports. As a state with a long history of championing inclusion, the USA Games bring an unrivaled opportunity to Minnesota to spark new energy around the Special Olympics movement and create a lasting legacy of positive change.

About the Law Enforcement Torch Run® for Special Olympics

The Law Enforcement Torch Run® for Special Olympics is the largest public awareness and grassroots fundraising movement for Special Olympics, engaging law enforcement worldwide to champion acceptance and inclusion for individuals with intellectual disabilities.

About Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics New Mexico:

The New Mexico Law Enforcement Torch Run is a community policing and fundraising program for Special Olympics that promotes and empowers New Mexico law enforcement agencies to raise awareness and funds year-round for Special Olympics New Mexico, while providing opportunities, encouragement, and hope to SONM athletes and families in the process. In New Mexico, LETR is proudly sponsored by the following community partners: Latitudes, Bernalillo County, N2MIS (Los Alamos), Zona Rosa, Pojoaque Pueblo Tribal Police Department, New Mexico True, Chili’s, Chavez Grieves Consulting, Advance Auto Parts, Brycon Construction, Albuquerque Dukes Store, and Old Town Catering.

For more information about the New Mexico Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics visit www.sonm.org or call 505.856.0342.

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