“Wow, what an experience!”That reaction pretty much sums up how our Airport Authority torchbearers are feeling after completing their respective runs in the 2010 Olympic Torch Relay. Nine of our 14 torchbearers ran their relays in BC’s interior in late January, with the remaining four scheduled to run on February 8 and 9 in the Lower Mainland.
For those who ran the relay already, they say the experience was more than just carrying a torch for 300 metres. It was about new friends made, a shared experience and a memory that will last forever.
“Trucks go along ahead of you announcing your name to all the spectators,” says Sat Gill, who ran in Kimberley. “While you’re running, you have hundreds and hundreds of people yelling out to you! Perfect strangers yelling: ‘Run, Sat, run. Way to go Sat.’ It was too cool.”
“I will never forget this night,” says Barbara Brown, who carried the torch in Cranbrook. “The experience was more than I could ever have expected. From strangers treating me like a celebrity and asking for photos with the torch to the bus that took all the torchbearers to our relay site…it was remarkable. There was music playing, everyone was singing and the stories that we all shared will stay with me a lifetime.”
Reflecting on his relay in Cranbrook, Mike Butorac says that “during those few minutes I was running, I was the only person in the world with the Olympic Flame. That blew my mind, and still does. It will be interesting to see how I feel when I see the cauldron lit at the opening ceremonies.”
“Carrying the torch is an amazing way to be part of such a huge world event,” says Beth Henschel, who ran in Kamloops. “It is likely a once in a lifetime opportunity to participate, even though I am not an Olympic athlete…unless my athletic prowess suddenly rears its head!”
Alisa Cooper, who ran in Kimberley, says that “once I met everyone running and we all started sharing stories of how we got here, that’s when I became incredibly emotional – all my resolve and cool demeanour went by the wayside. Finally when the flame came my way, I had perhaps the biggest smile on my face that I couldn’t take off. It meant so much to share the experience with (husband) Garth and the jubilation once finished is hard to describe. You’re in disbelief that it happened to quickly, but so excited that you’re bouncing in your seat like a three-year-old.”
Arnold Tobler, who ran in Kamloops, says “it was an amazing experience and a great feeling to be able to carry the torch. I would do it again in a heartbeat, but I probably won’t ever get that chance. That is what makes this experience so special.”
Toni Frisby, who ran in Cranbrook, is already planning to share her torch experience with others. “I feel like I have a responsibility to continue to share the spirit of the flame,” she says. “I am thrilled to be able to bring my torch to a local girl guides group and to a Grade 5 class, and I will be participating in the Sea Island Community torch celebration in early February. And, of course, I will share the experience with my running group, the North Shore Lemmings, who have been so supportive and excited about this opportunity I had.”
Other torchbearers who have completed their relays include Mike Lazzaroni, Gideon Pangestu (Yahk). Still to run are Kevin Hong (Mission) on Feb 8, Kathy DeLisser (Surrey), Diana Vuong (Richmond) and Pravesh Dookun (New Westminster) on Feb 9.
