Staff Directory

My Run With the Olympic Torch

Jan 20

My Run With The Olympic Torch
By Dj Scott
January 19, 2010

I was not prepared for this experience. Running the torch went far beyond any expectations that I had.

I didn’t sleep much the two nights before my run, and the hours before the time I was to actually meet with the relay organizers seemed to crawl by. I remember my excitement building as I watched the torch on the television come into Calgary the night before. Then move closer to Strathmore the next morning. My anxiety began to build. To be honest at first I felt like what is the big deal? How wrong I would be.

The time finally arrived for me to leave. I put on the torchbearer uniform that I received in December and traveled across town to meet with the other torchbearers and the Olympic relay staff. We were to be oriented as to what was going happen in the relay. I honestly felt a little nervous as I got out of the van and walk into the Wheatland Elementary School. Upon opening the front doors two or three students walked straight up to me and said “can I shake your hand and get a picture with you”? I was blown away. I had no idea that I would be treated this way. I went upstairs and checked in. I was still 5 minutes early and was the last one torchbearer to arrive. I asked where the other torchbearers were from? There were a couple from Calgary, one from north of Edmonton, one from Washington, and another from Michigan and a few others. I was surprised to hear that there were over a million applicants to run with the torch and I was one of them. To be chosen is truly and honor. The relay team explained what would be happening, how to pass the torch and a few more of the logistics. They then gave me a torch. It had a good weight to it but was not overly heavy and it felt very comfortable in my hand. It was very eye appealing and attractive. Can I call a torch attractive? I was getting a little more anxious.

As we were leaving the school there were a number of students still there and they really wanted pictures with the torchbearers and torches. I made sure to let the kids and teachers hold the torch. Many of them wanted to get their picture with me specifically as I was the only torchbearer that let the kids actually hold it on their own. My thoughts flashed back to what I have learned from Monty, my father in-law. He always impressed upon me that things are not more important than people. This torch is just a piece of metal and plastic it is not so important as to stress over a student dropping it, they are more important than anything.

We then got on the bus to drive to our starting point. The bus driver was playing Black Eyed Peas “I’ve got a feeling” which helped us get even more excited. As we drove down the road I could see people lining the streets a few blocks over, I thought to myself there are a quite a few people here for this. This thought would prove to be dramatically ironic. I could not believe how much I underestimated the number of people who were going to be on the streets.

We pulled over into a parking lot and waited for our relay to begin. As we waited I saw the 2 Westwind School Division buses pulling up the road. I had to jump off my own bus and wave. All the other torchbearers were amazed that these students would drive 3 hours one way to watch me carry the torch. I was beginning to feel very honored and emotional.

We then began to drive; as we turned the corner I could not believe how many people were lining the streets. The crowd was easily 5 to 6 people thick on both sides of the street. This literally went on for over 2km as we went through the town. What took me by surprise was how all the people cheered so fervently for us, complete strangers. I honestly became a little teary eyed when we went past a war memorial with two war veterans standing beside it holding a Canadian flag cheering us on. I thought to myself this would not even be possible if it were not for those who made Canada what it is. They are the ones that deserve a parade and cheering. I was overcome with how the people reacted to us. As they dropped off each of the torchbearers at their assigned spots the bus emptied and I eventually was the last one on the bus. I stepped off to huge cheers from my students and family. It was soooooo incredible to have all these people whom I love and care for gather around me and be so thrilled with this symbol of the Olympic games. Wow. I spent a wonderful 5 to 7 minutes getting photos with them and then it was my turn.

All the torchbearers planned what they would do after the torch was lit far in advance. I had arranged with the other torch bearer to pound fists after we exchanged the flame. Once my torch was lit I did this and then it was my turn to run. I was holding the Olympic flame. This feeling was indescribable. This flame is a symbol of the world coming together to share something and for that brief moment I got to hold it and represent my little part of the world, all of you. It was very incredible to have my wife, kids, parents, sister, niece and nephew, and so many of my students running along side of me. I would run a little slower so they could keep up, even though my wife said I was going way to fast. What just cause she can’t run with a 4 and 6 year old in tow doesn’t mean I was going to fast, ha ha. I made sure I looked at that flame as I ran and I can vividly remember how it looked coming out of that torch. Time seemed to slow and this image is truly blazoned into my memory. At the end of my run they took the flame and put it back in the lantern to move on. The relay attendant turned off my torch and I watched it go out. I then turned to my family, friends and students and tried to thanks them for coming so far to share the experience. I could not tell them as I was moved to tears and lost for words. Thanks you for caring.

I then got on the bus and they took us back to the school. As we got off the bus students and parents immediately began asking for pictures and autographs. I made sure that if anyone asked for an autograph or a photo that they held the torch, as this was not my experience alone. I was so not prepared for how people would want to have photos or autographs. The chance to give someone a story to tell is truly a blessing. I signed autographs and posed for pictures for about 30 minutes and then my wife came and told me that my Glenwood School students were waiting at for me. We quickly drove over to where they were and allowed them to hold the torch and take photos. They are so great. Once they left I got pictures with the people who matter most to me, my family.

Even after this, strangers were coming out of the gas station and the restaurant to get pictures with the torch and me. During supper I was immediately exhausted and tired. Carrying the torch was one of the coolest experiences of my life. This is truly another amazing experience in an already truly blessed life.