Post Falls Law Enforcement Torch Run Sends Kootenai County Athletes Toward Special Olympics USA
Post Falls hosted a leg of the Law Enforcement Torch Run on Tuesday, bringing together Special Olympics Idaho athletes and officers from multiple agencies to carry the Flame of Hope through the streets of Kootenai County in preparation for the 2026 Special Olympics USA Games in Minneapolis.
Flame of Hope Runs Through Post Falls
Athletes and law enforcement officers gathered along Grassland Avenue on Tuesday morning, stretching before setting off at a measured pace with Idaho State Police motorcycles leading the procession. The group carried the symbolic torch together, following safety instructions from event coordinator Mike Fitch — including his lighthearted reminder not to singe anyone’s hair in the process.
Fitch described the pace as intentionally unhurried. “It’s about awareness leading up to the summer games,” he said. The Post Falls event was one of 20 simultaneous runs held across Idaho, all building momentum toward the national competition set for June 21 through June 26 in Minneapolis, where athletes will compete across 16 sports.
Participating agencies included the Kootenai County Sheriff’s Office, Idaho State Police, Post Falls Police Department, Kootenai County Fire and Rescue, the U.S. Forest Service, and the Bureau of Land Management, each contributing runners or logistical support to the effort.
Kootenai County “Eagles” Headed to Minneapolis
Several local athletes competing under the Kootenai County “Eagles” banner will make the trip to Minneapolis this summer. Jackie Jones and Zach Pugsley will represent the area in bowling, Adison Wilson will compete in bocce ball, and Emily Colgrove will take on the swimming competition.
Colgrove’s father, Scott, offered a brief word of encouragement before the torch got moving. “Pace yourself. You’ve got to go all the way down,” he told his daughter. Emily, for her part, said the team training environment has kept her motivated ahead of the games. “My team is amazing. We stretch every day and swim a lot,” she said.
Tim Davis, who plays power forward on his Special Olympics basketball team, spoke with confidence about his squad’s prospects. “It’s very fun. My team is going for our fourth title in a row,” Davis said, acknowledging the pressure that comes with being a target. “We’re the team that is usually the best, so it’s a risk because there’s a target on our backs.”
Community Spirit on Full Display
The morning brought genuine enthusiasm from participants across the board. Cherie Olson said she was proud of everyone who ran. “I think everybody did a very good job,” she said. “It’s hot, and I’m very proud of our runners today.” Olson noted that a personal highlight of the event was getting a photograph with Rocket, the Kootenai County Sheriff’s Office therapy K-9, who accompanied the run alongside Chaplain Program Director John McSwain.
Special Olympics athlete Rachel Christensen also shared a moment with Rocket before the start, while David Pannell cheered on participants from a vehicle, holding a sign of encouragement. Athletes Adison Wilson and Emily Colgrove embraced before the torch was set in motion, reflecting the sense of community that defines the Special Olympics program.
Deputies Gabriel Joling and Sara Knight of the Kootenai County Sheriff’s Office ran alongside athletes, with Joling passing the torch to Ryan Sullivan at the Post Falls finish. The moment captured the spirit of law enforcement and community collaboration that the Torch Run was designed to highlight.
What Comes Next
The 2026 Special Olympics USA Games are scheduled for June 21 through June 26 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Kootenai County athletes will compete in swimming, bocce ball, bowling, and basketball, among the 16 sports on the national program. Residents looking to follow the Eagles’ journey or learn more about supporting Special Olympics Idaho can visit the Special Olympics Idaho website or contact local program coordinators.
For more on community events across North Idaho, including the recent appointment of a new Coeur d’Alene Fire Chief, Kootenai County News continues to cover the people and institutions that make this region a strong community.