Host Town Fun, Day 3

Today, Team Australia said farewell to picturesque Potsdam...in spectacular style!

After training in the morning, Team Australia headed into the old town to take part in the Final Leg of the Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics.

Six Aussie police officers are taking part in the Torch Run and they were excited and delighted to have Team Australia join them as they ferry the Flame of Hope to Berlin for the Opening Ceremony of the World Games.

In fact, it turned into the Police Party in Potsdam with the Aussie team making up the largest contingent of athletes along the route so far – all of Team Australia were there!

There was music, speeches, gifts, hugs and plenty of photos to capture the joy.

At the end of the run the festivities continued at Brandenburg Gate, Potsdam with local families joining the celebrations.

After final farewells to our fantastic hosts, the team said goodbye to Potsdam and boarded a bus to Berlin where they are now settled into their Games accommodation.

The next big agenda item is the Opening Ceremony in two more sleeps!

From Torch Run Victoria

This was posted to their Facebook page following the Potsdam Final Leg. Enjoy!

There was not a dry eye in the house when the international team of the Final Leg of the Torch Run arrived in the historic town of Potsdam and straight into the waiting athletes of Team Australia.

While we don’t want to embarrass our LETR chief, Matt Volk, word has it that he was seen using his Torch Run T-shirt to dab his “tired” eyes quite a bit.

It is the last leg of the last leg for the international team of the Final Leg of the Torch Run team who have woven their way through the scenic towns of Germany on their way to Berlin for the opening Ceremony of the Special Olympics World Games.

Matt said the international Torch Runners were so “blown away” by the Aussie team, they decided to name 15 “Australia Day”.

Getting Klose

Mick Klose and his sister-in-law, Sheryn Klose, both from South Australia, share a warm embrace in Berlin as their volunteer roles delightfully collide.

Sheryn is the Assistant Head of Delegation for Team Australia who was in Potsdam Old Town with the team to join the Final Leg of the Law Enforcement Torch Run.

Mick is one of six Australian police officers taking part in the Final Leg.

For the Final Leg, law enforcement officers parade the Flame of Hope through selected towns on it's journey from Athens to the host city of the Games, which in 2023 is Berlin.

In Berlin, the Flame of Hope will be used to light the Cauldron at the Opening Ceremony and the World Games will be officially declared open.

Goodbye from Potsdam

The Host Town experience in Potsdam was a great way to refresh and relax before the World Games begin, but it was a sad goodbye...and a squishy one!

Our buses were filled to capacity as we prepared to take the road out of Potsdam, but we renewed our smiles when we saw volunteers Nadia and Stephanie enthusiastically waving us goodbye from the street.

Thank you Potsdam!

Photo Gallery

Daily photo albums can be found  here