A pair of North Bay police officers travelled south to Kitchener-Waterloo to support a handful of local Special Olympic athletes competing at the Special Olympics Ontario Spring Games.
Constable Merv Shantz and Staff Sergeant Richard Hampel travelled down to the Waterloo area for the event that took place May 24 and 25.
"S/Sgt Hampel and Cst Shantz joined around 150 other officers from around the province in the Final Leg Law Enforcement Torch Run as the Flame of Hope was carried into the opening ceremonies," the North Bay Police Service stated via social media.
Shantz, who played a key role in running the Special Olympics Ontario Winter Games back in 2015, was happy to be involved and support the North Bay swimmers and powerlifters who competed at the Games.
"As police officers, we represent the hope and law enforcement," explained Shantz.
"We know we have a special relationship with these Special Olympic athletes and we just want to show our support. We did host the 2015 Provincial Winter Games here in North Bay so there is that connection too.
"Really it is a chance for the law enforcement community to come together to show our support for these athletes and what they do. They really have that spirit of wanting to do their best, play hard and come away with satisfaction medals or not. It is great to see their attitude and heart when they are involved in this type of event.:
"We were able to meet with them at the games as well. It was a good time to show our support here from the North Bay Police Service," concluded Shantz.
