Olympic Torch Arrives in Kelowna

After travelling in a huge loop across the Canadian North and then all the way west from Newfoundland, the Olympic Torch Relay finally made it to Kelowna on Monday. It started the day down in Osoyoos then spent the day winding its way up the Okanagan Valley. By 7 pm it was crossing the bridge over Okanagan Lake into Kelowna.

Leena and went downtown and stood by the side of the road to wait. We met a retired couple from Toronto who are moving to Kelowna this year after summering in Kelowna for a few years. They were dressed in their Olympics volunteer uniforms for the event. They are both posted as drivers up in Whistler. They will be driving members of the Olympic family around Whistler in SUVs provided by GM.

After waiting for an hour, the Torch Relay entourage started to pass by. RCMP vehicles, specially built Coca-Cola vehicles (free Coke, and other giveaways), Royal Bank vehicles with music and dancers, then finally the torch runner. Just as the torch got near, everyone stormed the runner so it was impossible to get a photo. Rats.

We walked over to City Park where the relay was ending for the evening. A large portable stage and video screen had been set up as well as exhibits by Royal Bank, Coca-Cola and The Bay. They have been taking all this across the country for almost 90 days. The City of Kelowna was giving everyone glow-stick torches. The Olympic torch was used to light a large caldron, speeches were made (the Premier was there) and it was topped off by a loud and rousing version of O Canada. Such spirit!

On Tuesday morning the Relay was starting again and the path was taking it within a block of our office between 7:30 and 8 am. As I got out of my car to secure my spot by the side of the road, the couple in the car next to me got out, said hello, and told me that it was their son who was running the leg right in front of us. They were well equipped with their Canadian flags to wave. They seemed so proud of their son.

People came out of the offices, businesses and homes in the neighbourhood. Lots of Canadian flags and lots of coffee.

Before the entourage arrived, an Olympic Torch Relay mini-bus came by and stopped right in front of me to disgorge one of the Relay runners. His name was Eli. He was dressed in the Relay uniform and had his torch with him. (Twelve thousand torches were made and donated by Bombardier, the maker of the Canadair regional jet, subways, light rail, and snowmobiles.) Everyone swarmed Eli, wanted to shake his hand and get their picture taken. I was no exception.

Soon the flame was visible down the street in the dullness of the morning. The son of the couple I had met jogged by, met Eli, touched his lit torch to Eli's torch passing on the flame, and high-fived Eli who jogged on. There was great excitement from the crowd.

An Torch Relay assistant went over to the finished runner and did something to his torch to turn off the flame. Soon the mini-bus arrived to pick him up and take him off for his debriefing. (I have heard that there is a guest book on the bus signed by all the runners.)

This was the first time I was personally connected to the Olympics since my very first volunteer training session back in November of 2008. Now it really feels like it's getting close. Such an exciting 12 hours.