'Flame of Hope' for 2007 Special Olympics World Summer Games Lit in Athens, Greece, Launching First Global Torch Run

ATHENS, Greece, June 29 /PRNewswire/ --

- Ceremony at sacred site near Acropolis marks official beginning of
Global Law Enforcement Torch Run(R) to Shanghai, sponsored and supported by
DHL

In a ceremony honoring the spirit of the Special Olympics movement and
the courage of its athletes, the "Flame of Hope" for the 2007 Special
Olympics World Summer Games was lit today in Athens, Greece, officially
launching the Global Law Enforcement Torch Run. Carried by a team of Special
Olympics athletes and law enforcement officers through the streets of Athens,
the torch now departs Greece to begin its global journey to the site of the
World Games in Shanghai, China, supported by the expertise of Global Torch
Run sponsor DHL, the world's leading express delivery and logistics company.

(Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20040302/LNTU017LOGO )

The Global Law Enforcement Torch Run will be a pivotal event in the
lead-up to the 2007 Special Olympics World Summer Games. While the Torch Run
has been a Special Olympics tradition for more than 25 years, this marks the
first time the "Flame of Hope" has traveled the globe in a single event.
Transported via DHL's global logistics network and then carried by torch on
the ground by teams of athletes and law enforcement personnel from around the
world, the flame will travel more than 35,000 kilometers (22,000 miles),
touching down on five continents over the next three months before arriving
in Shanghai, where it will ignite the cauldron at the Opening Ceremony of the
2007 World Games on 2 October.

The flame itself was lit just after 11 a.m. local time this morning 
(4 a.m. ET in North America) using the rays of the sun at the sacred site of
Pnyx, located across from the Acropolis, in a ceremony hosted by Special
Olympics Greece and attended by Anna Benaki-Psarouda, President of the Greek
Parliament, Special Olympics International Chairman Timothy P. Shriver,
Natasa Karamanlis, wife of the Prime Minister of Greece, DHL Express Asia
Pacific Acting CEO Dan McHugh, Coca-Cola President and Chief Operating
Officer Muhtar Kent, senior representatives of the 2007 Games Organizing
Committee, government and diplomatic officials from China and Greece, law
enforcement officers, and Special Olympics athletes and their supporters.

The flame will next make its way to Egypt, where welcoming ceremonies and
Torch Run celebrations will take place in Alexandria and Cairo. Other stops
on the route will include London, Washington D.C., and a dozen cities
throughout China as well as the 19 districts of Shanghai.

"The Special Olympics movement provides a unique global platform for
acceptance and inclusion, and the Flame of Hope's journey around the world is
symbolic of our mission to not only give new hope to Special Olympics
athletes and their families, but also to break down barriers and create
awareness for social change around the world," said Shriver. "We are pleased
to be partnering with DHL to help us honor our athletes for their tremendous
courage and commitment -- on the field of play and in every aspect of their
lives. We are also extremely appreciative for the continued commitment and
support by the international law enforcement community on behalf of the Torch
Run."

"DHL's sponsorship endorses Special Olympics as a catalyst for social
change by promoting fair opportunities and supporting diversity, which is
part of our corporate values," said McHugh. "We hope to reinforce the spirit
of determination, mental endurance and physical stamina among individuals,
including our staff. Just as Special Olympics athletes triumph over all
obstacles to compete on this world stage, DHL is committed to overcome
logistics challenges to move the flame around the globe, sharing the vision
of hope with the Special Olympics athletes."

The 2007 Special Olympics World Summer Games in Shanghai will host almost
7,500 athletes with intellectual disabilities from more than 160 countries.
The Law Enforcement Torch Run is Special Olympics' largest grass-roots
fundraiser and public awareness vehicle, involving more than 85,000 law
enforcement officials around the world.

Following the 2007 World Games, the "Flame of Hope" will reside at a DHL
facility as a tribute to Special Olympics. DHL will also sponsor the Global
Torch Run in 2009, when the "Flame of Hope" will again be lit in Athens and
transported by DHL to the 2009 Special Olympics World Winter Games in Boise,
Idaho, USA.

The Olympic torch was lit in Athens for the first time in 1896, and today
continues to serve as a symbol of strength and determination for athletes
from around the world. Special Olympics recently announced its 2011 World
Summer Games will be held in Athens.

About Special Olympics

Special Olympics is an international nonprofit organization dedicated to
empowering individuals with intellectual disabilities to become physically
fit, productive and respected members of society through sports training and
competition. Founded in 1968 by Eunice Kennedy Shriver, Special Olympics
provides year-round sports training and competition to 2.5 million adults and
children with intellectual disabilities across 165 countries. The Special
Olympics movement offers one of the world's greatest platforms for acceptance
and inclusion for all people -- regardless of race, religion, ethnicity or
cultural differences. Find out how you can become involved at
www.specialolympics.org.

About DHL

DHL is the global market leader of the international express and
logistics industry, specializing in providing innovative and customized
solutions from a single source. DHL offers expertise in express, air and
ocean freight, overland transport, contract logistic solutions as well as
international mail services, combined with worldwide coverage and an in-depth
understanding of local markets. DHL's international network links more than
220 countries and territories worldwide. 285,000 employees are dedicated to
providing fast and reliable services that exceed customers' expectations. DHL
is a Deutsche Post World Net brand. The group generated revenues of more than
euro 60 billion in 2006. For the latest news and happenings about DHL in Asia
Pacific, please visit http://press.ap.dhl.com

About the Law Enforcement Torch Run

The Law Enforcement Torch Run has been a Special Olympics tradition for
more than 25 years. It began in 1981 when Wichita, Kansas, Police Chief
Richard LaMunyon saw a need to raise funds and increase awareness for the
organization, and conceived the Torch Run as a way to involve local law
enforcement personnel in the community and to support Special Olympics
Kansas. The program was later adopted by the International Association of
Chiefs of Police and under their support and leadership has expanded into all
50 U.S. states and to 35 nations. The Law Enforcement Torch Run is Special
Olympics' largest grass-roots fundraiser and public awareness vehicle; more
than 85,000 law enforcement officers from around the world volunteer for the
movement.

Web site: http://www.specialolympics.org
              http://press.ap.dhl.com