Ambassador Victor Ashe welcomed the “Flame of Hope” International Torch Run relay in front of the U.S. Embassy in Warsaw on November 18, 2008. The relay event was part of the 2009 Special Olympics World Games, which will take place in the United States in Idaho in February. More than 200 runners representing the Polish police participated in the run, which passed by the presidential and prime minister’s chancelleries. The group was also greeted by the President (mayor) of Warsaw, Mrs. Hannah Gronkiewicz-Waltz, and Marshals of the Polish Parliament. In greeting the participants in the Torch Run relay, Ambassador Ashe said: “We are proud that the Special Olympics began in the United States, but even more important is the fact that the movement has grown, and continues to grow, to support people with intellectual disabilities in over 180 countries.” Ambassador Ashe later hosted an evening reception in honor of the Special Olympics at his residence.