Spirit of Special Olympics burns bright at Unity Torch Walk in Newport Beach

Newport Beach Mayor Pro Tem Will O’Neill carries a torch with Greg Kozlowski, the Orange County Special Olympics Athlete of the Year, during a “Unity Torch Walk” around Civic Center Park to raise funds for local Special Olympics participants on Thursday, May 10  (Scott Smeltzer / Daily Pilot)

Newport Beach Mayor Diane Dixon and Police Chief Jon Lewis carry a torch during the Unity Torch Walk around Civic Center Park to raise funds for local Special Olympics participants on Thursday.

  (Scott Smeltzer / Daily Pilot)

Newport Beach Fire Chief Chip Duncan holds a torch with Rachel Osterbach of the reality TV series “Born This Way” during the Unity Torch Walk at Newport’s Civic Center Park on Thursday.

  (Scott Smeltzer / Daily Pilot)

Athletes with the Special Olympics join friends and family members at the start of Thursday’s Unity Torch Walk around Civic Center Park in Newport Beach to raise funds for local Special Olympics participants.

  (Scott Smeltzer / Daily Pilot)

Participants walk through Civic Center Park in Newport Beach during the Unity Torch Walk to help Special Olympics athletes Thursday.

  (Scott Smeltzer / Daily Pilot)

Jenny Skinner, left, holds a torch with Newport-Mesa Unified School District trustee Karen Yelsey during the Unity Torch Walk around Civic Center Park in Newport Beach on Thursday.

  (Scott Smeltzer / Daily Pilot)

Participants in Thursday’s Unity Torch Walk wind their way through Civic Center Park in Newport Beach.

  (Scott Smeltzer / Daily Pilot)

Katie Woods, 13, performs with members of the Corona del Mar High School cheer squad during the Unity Torch Walk on Thursday at Civic Center Park in Newport Beach.

  (Scott Smeltzer / Daily Pilot)

Jeff Snow, center, of CR&R Environmental Services hugs Russell Martin, left, and Peter Magana during the Unity Torch Walk at Newport Beach’s Civic Center Park on Thursday.

  (Scott Smeltzer / Daily Pilot)