DORIAN GEIGER
Sports Editor

With less than a month remaining until the Winter Olympics descend upon Vancouver, the Olympic torch made its much anticipated appearance in Saskatoon on Jan. 11.

The torch was in Rosetown earlier in the day, making its way by convoy to Saskatoon just before noon. The torch then proceeded by foot from 22nd Street and Whitney Avenue into Saskatoon’s downtown at Kiwanis Park.

Thousands of Saskatonians converged near the Vimy Memorial bandshell where musical and cultural performances took place for the igniting the Olympic cauldron. Prior to arriving in Saskatoon, the Olympic torch was in Swift Current on Jan. 10 and travelled to many communities in Saskatchewan before moving on to Alberta.

Saskatoon mayor Don Atchison was on hand to take part in the festivities and the igniting of the cauldron. Atchison expressed his excitement to have the world’s eyes on Saskatoon again with the Olympic flame after the IIHF World U20 Junior Championship wrapped up on Jan. 5.

“This is the only place in the world that the Olympic flame is today,” said Atchison.

“It’s wonderful — you see all the youth out here that are excited and vibrant. (It’s about) hope for the future for them as well. All the cultures are here together as one and I think clearly what sports does is it can be a great unifier for all of us,” said the mayor, as cheers from patriotic Saskatonians and drums from Aboriginal performers made him barely audible.

Kiwanis Park filled up with school children, parents, elderly people, cultures from across the city — and it was clear the Olympic torch was a galvanizing event for the Paris of the Prairies.

Despite the anti-Olympic buzz floating around of late and organized protests in the vicinity of the torch celebrations, one still couldn’t help but marvel at the patriotism the torch instills in Canadians.

Huskies women’s basketball assistant coach Jacqueline Lavallee was named the official Olympic torch bearer of Saskatoon and was the first person to run the torch. Lavallee, also a teacher at Oskayak High School, was given the honourable task of lighting the Olympic cauldron in the downtown site.

“It’s the most incredible feeling to see all these people here. The crowd as I ran in — and just to be part of the experience is beyond words,” said a smiling Lavallee.

As a teacher, Lavallee was able to share the unique experience with her class and school who were also present to witness the cauldron lighting. When asked if it was a bad example to be running with fire in front of all her students, Lavallee only laughed.

Lavallee also explained the torch bearing task required more mental preparation than physical training.

“It was only 300 metres so I wasn’t preparing physically to do it. It was the more the emotional, mental aspect of: ”˜Okay, uh, hold it together. Don’t break down.’ 300 metres is pretty short but I think I was huffing and puffing after about 10 metres,” added Lavallee.

Trevor Funk, a Saskatoon resident and amateur marathon runner, was a torch bearer who ran the flame through Rosetown. Funk was taken aback by the magnitude of support and people who gathered to witness the Olympic spectacle.

“It was surreal. There’s nothing really to explain it. It’s just exciting being a part of something that’s affecting the whole country,” said Funk.

Funk also added that he’ll be cheering for Canada’s Olympic hockey team when the Games get underway.

When the torch reaches Vancouver it will have travelled 106 days over a course of 45,000 kilometres through 1,035 Canadian communities since arriving from Greece in late October.

–

Jacqueline Lavallee has the honour of carrying the Olympic torch to the assmbly at Kiwanis Park around 12:30 in Saskatoon, SK.

– –
photo and video: Robby Davis