Igniting Hearts

It was an experience of a lifetime. Thinking about it now still sends shivers down my spine.

Yesterday morning felt really long; everyone in the house was busy getting ready for the day's events. But me being me, I just wanted to relax and cruise through the morning stress free. I approached the day no differently than I did when I competed at Olympic trials - remain calm and don't panic.

Shortly after lunch I took off to the Family Leisure Centre where I met with a few members of the Medicine Hat Speed Skating Club. They are all knew faces, but very welcoming. I'm still a member of the club but it's hard for me to get down and see them while I train full time in Calgary.

I did a presentation in front of approximately 40 members of the community, talking about Speed Skating, my experiences in the sport and everything it's given me.

Afterwards, I strapped on my gear and headed onto the rink for a demonstration with a few members of the club. I got them to do some drills with me, and we had some fun mock races. Man, I love doing that stuff; the kids have so much energy and they really open up to me. I think they just see me as a big kid! We had about one hundred spectators watching the demo and a few even built up enough courage to come out and try.

Here is an article from the Globe and Mail on the event:

http://www.ctvolympics.ca/torch/news/newsid=26398.html#2014+olympic+hopeful+will+carry+torch

When that was done I went home to get a quick bite before heading over to get briefed for carrying the torch. When I got there I could feel the anxiety building. I shrugged it off as best I could and spent some time familiarizing myself with some of the other torch bearers.

We dropped the first four torch bearers off in Redcliff and then carried on to Medicine Hat.

As we inched closer and closer to the Medicine Hat Teepee I could see the lights coming from the evening's festivities. When we were about 800 m's from the stage, it was finally my turn to step off the bus - I was the last. As soon as I stepped off though, I could hear the crowd - it was loud. I spent some time getting pictures taken with people, some even handed me their babies! Ha Ha. There I was, baby in one hand, torch in the other.

Then came the flame.

I knew the torchbearer who would be handing the flame off to me, he is the father of a guy I went to school with. As soon as my torch was lit, emotions flowed through me; I'm sorry but they are beyond description.

The guy that was directing me asked if I'd like to get a picture with my family and friends before I took off with the flame; but I pointed out that they were not in the nearby crowd of people. I knew that they had been given front row spots to the lighting of the cauldron.

At this point we were running ahead of schedule; they were recommending me to walk the torch in. I almost laughed at him. First of all I am an athlete, and second I was very, very cold and needed to warm up. So, I started to fake jog. They were walking at the same pace I was "jogging". As I got nearer and nearer to the stage, people started to swarm and the crowd was getting very thick.

My entry with the flame was announced and the crowd went wild. Something popped into throat and I was fighting back tears. My jog was real now. I have honestly never felt a shudder like that before. I remember one similar when we were at Canada Winter Games back in 2003, but this was more intense.

It was for the Olympic flame and it was for me.

I was no longer cold, but a shiver went through my body.

Soon I arrived at the media area. I had to stand with the flame for a few moments before proceeding to the stage. I turned and found my Aunt, Uncle, Cousin, Baba and Gido standing there. They treated my family like celebrities. I didn't see my parents or my sister yet though.

The media moved aside and I ran a few more steps to where I saw my Mother, my Sister and my Dad all in tears. At this point, all I thought, "That's it, I'm going to cry". I grabbed my mom's hand as I went by and walked up the stage, carefully.

I made it this far without messing up!

When I got to the top of the steps I turned around and raised the flame. I could finally see how many people there were now. It was massive! Like, no joke, there were tens of thousands there. Medicine Hat had an amazing turn out!

So I turned and walked to the cauldron. I looked to the crowd and raised my arms initiating a huge cheer. Then I put both hands on the torch and lit the cauldron, which sent a ripple of cheering through the crowd.

On stage there were a couple presentation and a few interviews; including one with me.

Later, after all the interviews with the media were done, I stepped out from behind the yellow security tape. Immediately, I was swarmed by people wanting a picture taken with me and the torch. I made sure as many people got to hold it as possible. One volunteer even wanted a picture of me on his trike!

The night went later than expected due to all the people wanting pictures. I didn't mind though; it's a once in a lifetime opportunity, even to just touch the torch.

When I finally got into the car I collapsed. I was on such a high, it was time to come down.

All in all it's an experience I will always cherish, it's already propelling my thoughts forward to the 2014 games in Sochi, Russia. I'm so unbelievably grateful to the Community of Medicine Hat for giving me this wonderful opportunity! I am truly honoured.

The flame unites communities, it unites countries, and it ignites hearts all around the world!

It sure ignites mine.

(I would like to thank my family for their amazing support, as well, my Sister, my Uncle Len, my Dad and my cousin Katrina for the pictures)

Here is the video of me bringing in the Olympic Flame courtesy of my former teacher Mr. John Laing!