, the charismatic Bollywood actor ran from the ramparts of the Red Fort to the narrow, spruced-up lanes of Chandni Chowk as the torch bearer of the 2009 Special Olympics Flame of Hope, to be held in Idaho, USA, next February.

The 'Global Law Enforcement Torch Run', as it is referred to, was making its seventh scheduled round-the-world stop in Delhi, accompanied by a team of 300 law enforcement officials, as many special athletes, and over 100 volunteers. The Flame of Hope was lit on November 12 2008 in Athens, Greece, using the rays of the Sun in accordance to Olympic tradition. The flame then left Greece to begin a 60,000-km journey across five continents.

Carried by members of the global law enforcement community and Special Olympics athletes, more than 12,000 people around the world will participate in this pivotal event for the Special Olympics movement delivering hope, inspiration and encouragement to all people with intellectual disabilities.

Kumar is the celebrity supporter and brand ambassador for the event that is being organised prior to the world games. Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit flagged off the event at the Red Fort. Craig Grossgart, country manager of DHL Express India, and Air Marshall Denzil Keelor were also present. But Kumar's run with the flame seemed more like a promotion for his forthcoming release in January, Chandni Chowk To China.

However the khiladi was in no mood to entertain such suggestions: "I am here only to promote the Games. The fact that the Flame of Hope is flying to China is a coincidence." Athlete Achint Babbar was among the special athletes to share stage-space with the star and was overjoyed when Akshay commended him on having won in the swimming category of the Special Olympics World Winter Games
2008. His mother said: "Achint was happy to meet the star that he normally sees on TV. Seeing a star like this in their support, the athletes will feel motivated."