Law enforcement officers participate in annual Special Olympics Torch Run

Sheriff ’s office sergeant completes final run of 19-year career

On Wednesday (May 17), the Taos Special Olympics team was joined by the Taos County Sheriff’s Office, Taos Police Department, and New Mexico State Police as they completed their portion of the annual New Mexico Law Enforcement Torch Run state relay run — an annual event that brings together over 500 personnel from various law enforcement agencies across the state, including state, federal, military, county and local.

The relay covers a total distance of 1,600 miles across The Land of Enchantment and culminates at the Special Olympics New Mexico State Summer Games held in Albuquerque on Friday and Saturday (May 19-20).

Standing next to the surreal Charles Collins sculpture and standing in front of the At Home In Taos shop sign of one of the Taos Plaza merchants, Sergeant Gilbert Atencio lit the torch that he would have to transport from the plaza to the horseshoe curve several miles south. It’s a tradition he’s done for 19 years, and he said this year will be his last.

“After 19 years of doing this, it’s my final year,” Atencio said. “It’s been an experience I’ll never forget. The athletes and the coaches have been amazing.”

The torch was passed from hand to hand between officer and Special Olympian throughout town, as the convoy made its way south along Paseo del Pueblo Sur. Taos Special Olympics participants went as far as the horseshoe curve before law enforcement officers peeled off on their bikes on the highway to pass the torch to their Rio Arriba law enforcement counterparts, who would then go on to complete their leg of the relay.

They all came home winners

Both Special Olympics Peñasco and Taos Special Olympics made the trip to Albuquerque to compete in the State Summer Games last weekend.

“It was freaking perfect, man. They all came home with medals and they had a good time. It was wonderful. They all came home winners,” Taos coach Yavonne Jaramillo said.

“We made it to Albuquerque with nine athletes and two unified partners,” Peñasco coach Beth Grimm said. “We had an amazing time. The athletes ran and walked faster than they ever have.”

At the opening ceremonies of the Summer Games, Peñasco athlete Elias “Pato” Dominguez pushed a communication switch from English to Spanish for the Athlete’s Oath — the traditional practice of an athlete, judge or official making an honorable promise at an Olympic game.

The official Special Olympics oath goes: “Let me win. But if I cannot win, let me be brave in the attempt.”

Translated, it might read: “Déjame ganar. Pero si no puedo ganar, déjame ser valiente en el intento.”