ISTANBUL (A.A) - Torch of the Special Olympics started to becarried in Istanbul within the scope of European tour prior to 2010 SpecialOlympics European Summer Games which will take place in Warsaw in September17-24.The first leg of the run started in front of Galatasaray High School at theIstiklal Avenue and ended in Taksim Square (European side).Speaking before the start of the run, Dilek Sabanci said,"this is a verygood organization. This run helps our children cling to life. I hope Turkishchildren will win medals. Support us."The second leg will take place in Suadiye district at 3.00 p.m. on September5 and end in Saskinbakkal concert area. (Asian side).18 people will carry the torch within the scope of Europe tour.The torch will tour Europe in 17 days with the help of 120 runners and reachPoland.Delegations from 58 countries in Europe/Eurasia will gather in Warsaw,Poland for the 2010 Special Olympics European Summer Games taking place fromSeptember 18 -24.More than 1,600 Special Olympics athletes and 600 coaches are expected toattend. The event will also include a host town program, a policy forum, familyforum, youth summit, a torch run through Europe/Eurasia and much more.The European Games offer a stage to showcase the Special Olympics movementin Western Europe, Eastern Europe and Central Asia and to celebrate the abilitiesand accomplishments of people with intellectual disabilities.A Torch Run will take place ahead of the Games carrying the flame of hopeacross Turkey, Greece, Slovenia, Gibraltar, Luxembourg, France, Great Britain,Belgium and Poland before arriving in Warsaw. The run gives communities acrossEurope the opportunity to support athletes with intellectual disabilities.(AY)