As an important part of the 2019 World Games, the Law Enforcement Torch Run Final Leg® for Special Olympics will heighten awareness and take the message of Special Olympics to every corner of the United Arab Emirates. Law Enforcement officials and Special Olympics athletes, unified together as a part of the Final Leg Team, will serve as true Guardians of the Flame™ and promote the powerful messages of inclusion, acceptance, and ability every step of their Final Leg journey to promote the 2019 World Games.

Zechariah Tietz

Zechariah lives in Milwaukee, where he competes as a member of the Team Milwaukee agency. He has been in Special Olympics since he was 8 years old. He has competed in sports as varied as athletics, bowling, softball, flag football, basketball, and snowshoeing. Zechariah is also an Athlete Leader and a member of the Athlete Input Council for Team Milwaukee Special Olympics Wisconsin. He is highly involved in volunteer/fundraising opportunities through the LETR like Tip-A-Cop events and the Final Leg leading up to the State Summer Games. Zechariah says that Special Olympics has been one of the greatest parts of his life and that he wouldn’t be the person he is today without it. He also says he tries to live everyday by the Athlete Oath of, “Let me win. But if I cannot win, let me be brave in the attempt.”

Bryan Wangnoss

Officer Wangnoss is a member of the Burlington Police Department. He has been a champion of the Special Olympics mission for many years as a highly involved member of the LETR. He has assisted in coordinating and promoting countless Special Olympics Wisconsin events and fundraisers in Racine County like the Torch Run and Ride with the Flame Motorcycle Ride. He has also volunteered at local competitions by handing out awards to athletes and emceeing events. Officer Wangnoss’ favorite Special Olympics memory is from when his niece Hayley won her first medal. He was so proud of her. His favorite LETR memory is from his first trip to an LETR conference in Indianapolis, where he realized just how massive the movement was on an international scale. Officer Wangnoss loves being in the LETR because of the bond the officers and athletes have. While he does a lot for the athletes, he says they do even more for him.