Torch run a 'once-in-a-lifetime' experience
Children line up on the B.C. legislature lawn prior to the ceremony Friday morning.
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Updated: November 04, 2009 2:15 PM
Barbara Fosdick, 85, used a bottle of wine to train for her leg of the Olympic torch relay -- except she didn’t drink it.
On Friday, at the start of the relay, her torch was heavy with symbolism, but it was also just plain heavy.
“I walked up and down my hall with a very heavy bottle of wine. I figured if my hall was about 10 metres ... and I did it 30 times, that would be my 300 metres,” said the Second World War veteran who represented the Royal Canadian Legion.
“I was on the verge of drinking it, I must tell you,” she laughed.
The long-anticipated relay brought together a wide spectrum of people. Young and old, athletes and non-athletes, First Nations leaders, immigrants and others who make up Canada’s rich social diversity were all connected to each other and the communities of 12,000 torchbearers.
First Nations chiefs paddled the torch into the Inner Harbour before passing it off to local Esquimalt and Songhees First Nations leaders. It then made its way to light the Olympic cauldron on the legislative grounds.
Carl Powell, an Australia native, was shaking with excitement prior to the event. He never thought he’d be able to represent Canada like this.
“I’ve lived in Canada for a long time, but became a dual citizen a few years ago. So to be able to represent Canada like this, it’s just, God, I’m shaking, I’m vibrating,” he said at the legislature before making his way to Esquimalt for his leg of the trip.
Thousands packed the legislature grounds and the Inner Harbour to get a glimpse of the torch and the runners who carried it.
Dark clouds threatened rain throughout the morning, but grey skies blanketing the city wasn’t enough to dampen the flame, or Victorian’s glowing hearts.
In snow-white track suits and iconic winter toques, Olympic medal winner and Victoria triathlete, Simon Whitfield was one of the first to carry the flame. Joining him was local Olympic rower, Silken Laumann.
Whitfield said it was a special experience to be a part of the Olympics as a torchbearer, especially in his home of Victoria.
“My Olympic experience in so many ways has been about myself, as I prepared as a kid, I wanted to represent Canada ... so to be able to do something beyond the Olympic experience and beyond just me ... that was very different.”
Silken Laumann also said she was honoured to carry the spirit of the Olympics in her hometown.
“There’s so many people they could have chosen. This city is teeming with incredible athletes, gold medal winners,” she said, still tightly gripping her torch, blackened with soot. “So I feel very privileged, very honoured.”
Other Olympic athletes participating in the relay were diver Alexandre Despatie, and speed skater Catriona Le May Doan.
By now, the torch will be making its way through the Yukon and Northwest Territories. The torch will pass through 1,000 communities on its 106-day, 45,000 kilometre relay leading up to the opening of the 2010 Winter Games in Vancouver on Feb. 12.
lweighton@vicnews.com
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