Thousands gathered at the B.C. legislature Friday, cheering with glowing hearts as the Olympic flame started its 106-day journey across Canada.

Prime Minister Stephen Harper and Premier Gordon Campbell both spoke about the pride they had for Canada and the torch being lit on our world stage.

"I can't help but think, how we will all feel when the world comes to Canada for the Olympic Games and our athletes stand here on the podium."

When the flame arrived on legislative grounds organizers had some initial difficulty lighting the cauldron.

Anticipation built, and when it was finally lit a few minutes later, the crowds erupted as its flame burned in bright contrast to the grey skies that blanketed the Capital.

Four Olympic athletes were the first to carry the flame on its 45,000-kilometre journey, the longest torch relay in history.

Victoria triathlete Simon Whitfield, speed skater Catriona Le May Doan, Victoria rower Silken Laumann and diver Alexandre Despatie had the honour.

Whitfield said his 300-metre leg of the trip was far less demanding than any Olympic triathlon he's ever run, but it connected him to his country more.

"My Olympic experience in so many ways has been about myself ... it's a very selfish endevour, so to be able to do something beyond the Olympic expereince and beyond just me ... that was very different," he said.

Whitfield won gold at the 2000 Sidney Games, and came home from last year's Beijing Games with a silver medal.

But this time, he said, he'll be connected to all Canadians as the torch makes its way through numerous communities across the country.

"It's something I felt a very key responsibility to everybody," he said.

The torch will pass through about 1,000 communities from coast to coast. It will arrive back in B.C. at Vancouver's B.C. Place stadium on Feb. 12 to symbolize the start of the Winter Olympic Games.

lweighton@vicnews.com

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