All Fired Up for the Olympic Flame

Right now, the Olympic Torch is passing through yet another Canadian community, on its way to its destination of the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver, BC. What many do not realize is just the number of people involved in such a monumental event and undertaking.

In ancient times, relay runners proclaimed the Games, which were a time of peace between the city states of Greece. During the course of the early Olympic Games, winners would be allowed to have sacred fires lit to their gods and goddesses, asking for favour in the arena.

Although the first Modern Olympic Flame burned throughout the games in Amsterdam, the modern Olympic Torch was created especially for the Berlin Olympics. Since the time of its first run, the Olympic Torch has traveled by many means to reach its destination.

The Canadian Olympic Torch Relay for the 2010 Olympics is truly a community event. Far from being limited to just the west coast, the Olympic Torch Relay will have traveled over 45,000 km in 106 days, touching communities all over Canada, in every province and territory. By the time that it reaches its destination in Vancouver BC on February 12, 2010, more than 12,000 Canadians will have served as Olympic torchbearers, and more than 100 Aboriginal elders and youth will have served a sacred duty of being Flame Tenders.

Small community celebrations will have been held in more than 1,000 communities, from Inuvik to Windsor, from St. John to even my hometown, Chilliwack, BC. Celebrations include music, art, drama, special exhibits and special events.

In Chilliwack, the festivities begin on Saturday, February 6, with a special day of science demonstrations by Science World taking place at Evergreen Hall. It promises to be an exciting event in Chilliwack on February 7; the Flame will arrive around noon in the parking lot between Prospera Centre and the Chilliwack Landing Leisure Centre. City organizers are anticipating a massive turnout all along the route that the flame is taking and are requesting people to use the special shuttle service to reduce congestion in the downtown core to get to the main celebration event. You can be certain that the mascots, such as Miga and Sumi and Quatchi (and maybe even Mukmuk) will be present, and that, besides the presence of the Olympic Flame, we will be graced with the with performances from the Sardis Secondary Drumline who will also be performing at various Olympic events in Vancouver and Whistler. The Chilliwack Senior Secondary Jubellation Handbell choir will be performing, as will piper Evans Palmer. The presence of our native cultures will be strong at this event, featuring Stolo songstress Inez, as well as the Williams Family Drum Group. The Chilliwack Landing Leisure Centre will be offering a free swim for part of the afternoon, and the Prospera Centre will be offering a free skate for several hours following the Celebration ceremony. Internationally-reknowned magician Damien Carriere will be there to mystify visitors, and Rosie Ribbonstar will be there as part of the entertainment for children of all ages.

Beyond the huge community party that this promises to be, the greatest star of all will be the Olympic Flame. Embodying the spirit of the Games, and calling us all to honour each other and to enter into a spirit of cooperation, peace and fair play, we look forward to the opening ceremonies, the lighting of the Olympic Cauldron and the athletic contests of the 2010 Olympic Games. Let the Games begin!