[VIDEO] Carrying a Torch for Special Olympics

About 20 law enforcement officers ran through Cheshire on Friday to accompany the Special Olympic Torch on its way to New Haven for the 2012 Summer Games.

"It's a perfect day for running," said Cheshire Police Officer Lorin Weber. He and other volunteers had gathered for lunch at Bozzuto's Inc. on Schoolhouse Road before heading south to New Haven where the Summer Games were held.

Bozzuto's Vice President Kevin Daly said the wholesale distributor has supported the torch run for at least 20 years and has provided lunch for the runners at the company headquarters for the last two years. The company also provides food for 3,000 athletes at the games each year.

Special Olympian Angie D'Amico of Cheshire has been on the "Cheshire Kicks" soccer team for 10 years. Her coach, Mackenzie Krom of Wallingford said the team won a silver medal in the 2011 games. 

Jennifer Corti, the coordinator for workers at Manson Youth Institution in Cheshire said 12 employees of the center volunteered to accompany the torch through town. 

"The athletes are amazing. When you work events for Special Olympics or run, you want to continue it as a service for them," Corti said. She will also participate in the upcoming Ride for the Flame event to support Special Olympics on June 24 along the Connecticut River.

"Every penny we raise helps athletes do more things. Without you, our athletes couldn't do what they do," said Joe Carlone, assistant torch run director. He said he was forced to run during training when he joined the state Department of Corrections. "Now, I'm beyond hooked," he said.

Race Leg Coordinator Jim Gosselin has volunteered for 10 years. "We're getting older, but we're not quitting," he said. 

The weekend event at Southern Connecticut State University in New Haven and Hamden Hall in Hamden. About 3,000 athletes competed in events ranging from swimming to soccer, cycling to gymnastics.