Special Olympics torch missing in Samoa

APIA - The Special Olympics torch which went missing from the Police Headquarters in Samoa last week has yet to be recovered.

The torch, dubbed the Flame of Hope, was in Samoa for what is ironically called The Law Enforcement Special Torch Run before the Special Olympics traditional opening ceremony in Greece this week.

The torch was housed in the Police Headquarters when it went missing two weeks ago, before it completed it's journey around Samoa.

The missing torch baffled organisers who had to quickly find a replacement.

"Luckily we found a torch to replace the original Flame of Hope," said one of the organisers.

Police have yet to find the missing torch.

But that has not dampened the spirits of Samoan supporters of the Special Olympics as Samoa gears up for the first time to take part in the games.