Four Special Olympics athletes and one volunteer who represented North Carolina at the Special Olympics World Winter Games in early March in Italy were honored by Governor Josh Stein April 15 during a luncheon hosted by the Sir Walter Cabinet at the Executive Mansion in Raleigh.
Trenton D’Agostino of Boone, Stephen Foster of Fairview, and Ashley Tanner of Charlotte each received a Laurel Wreath Award for competing in the sports of snowboarding, Alpine skiing, and figure skating, respectively. The award is granted by the Governor to individuals in North Carolina who have made outstanding contributions to sports. Each of the Special Olympics athletes received medals in their sports.
While U.S. state and local Games are held annually, every two years, the world transcends the boundaries of geography, nationality, culture, and religion to come together for the Special Olympics World Games.
Alternating between summer and winter Games, the World Games are the flagship event of the global Special Olympics movement, which promotes acceptance of people with intellectual disabilities through the power and joy of sport.
Known as one of the world’s largest sports events, the 2025 World Winter Games in Turin, Italy, featured more than 1,500 athletes from 102 delegations competing in eight sports in an international demonstration of unity. More than 20,000 volunteers and 500,000 spectators attended.
Additionally, Special Olympics North Carolina athlete Dustin Edmondson of Greensboro and Lt. Ken Klos-Weller of the Raleigh Police Department received certificates of recognition from the Governor for their role participating in the Final Leg of the World Winter Games Torch Run. Leading up to the World Games, law enforcement from around the world conducted a torch run relay carrying the Special Olympics Flame of Hope through Italy to bring awareness to Special Olympics and the World Winter Games.
The Flame of Hope is a beacon of inspiration for the Special Olympics movement, symbolizing the enduring spirit of athletes with intellectual disabilities. This powerful emblem represents the light of opportunity and the warmth of community, igniting passion and perseverance in athletes, families, and supporters alike. It serves as a reminder of the potential within every person and the shared commitment to creating a more inclusive world.
Central to the legacy of the Flame of Hope is the Law Enforcement Torch Run® (LETR), a global initiative where law enforcement officers embody the role of “Guardians of the Flame.” This dedicated group of officers carries the Flame of Hope across vast distances, heralding the arrival of the Special Olympics World, National, State and Local Games. Their journey, known as the Final Leg, culminates in the lighting of the cauldron at opening ceremonies, marking the official start of the Games.
