Special Olympics torch passes through Sonoma County

The official torch for the Special Olympics World Games passed through Sonoma County Monday on its way to the games’ opening ceremony in Los Angeles.

Athletes carried the torch to stops at the Sonoma Plaza, in Santa Rosa’s Old Courthouse Square and downtown Petaluma before it heads to Southern California.

In Santa Rosa, athletes Maria Brandt of Pennsylvania and Tony Kavan of Nebraska carried the so-called Flame of Hope in a procession of police cars down Mendocino Avenue. Mayor John Sawyer and Santa Rosa police officials spoke at a small ceremony.

In Sonoma, Mayor David Cook and Sheriff’s Capt. Clint Shubel gave speeches.

Athlete William Corsi of Florida and Trisha Doronila of Hawaii, representing law enforcement, also carried the torch. Carriers wore red T-shirts and black shorts.

The Petaluma ceremony was at Walnut Park, where Petaluma Police Chief Patrick Williams, Sgt. Jim Stephenson and Sgt. Ron Klein spoke.

The torch is scheduled to complete its cross-country journey in time for the games’ July 25 opening.

More information about the run and the games is at www.letr-finalleg.org and www.la2015.org.