Being an Olympic Flag Bearer

I'm not much of an athlete, but I do have an interest in fitness, and I've always been a fan of the Olympics. My biggest sports moment ever didn't require me to be the fastest, the highest, or the strongest; it just required me to be in the right place at the right time, and to seize the opportunity when it was made available to me. That's how I was able to carry the American Flag for the Olympic Torch Relay Kickoff in 1996.

Los Angeles hosted the 1984 Olympics, and it wasn't until 1996 when the Olympics returned to the United States for the Atlanta Games. It was only fitting that they would begin the torch relay for the 1996 games in Los Angeles. As a part of the celebration, they needed flag bearers. I was in the Navy Reserve Officer's Training Corps at the time (ROTC) and the Olympic organizers asked for volunteers to help carry some of the flags. Although it required giving up part of my weekend and getting up early, I figured that it was the chance of a lifetime.

There were several different groups that were participating in the event as flag bearers; we from ROTC were going to be out in front leading the other flag bearers. During practice the day before, I initially was supposed to carry a different flag from the United States one, but I convinced my friend to switch with me.

On the day of the event, April 27, 1996, we arrived early to the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Many people arrived to see the flame arrive from Greece, and to see the beginning of the Olympic torch relay. It was exciting, waiting for our turn to enter the Coliseum.

I don't remember a great deal about the day; but what I do remember, I remember vividly. As the US flag bearer, I was supposed to run out in front. The flag was fairly heavy, but I picked it up and I was to run (at a slow pace) with it. As I ran into the Coliseum, I remember the flag fluttering behind me. I ran past rows of people, and several of the people stood as the flag passed. I ran through television cameras, who got out of the way. It was one of the most amazing experiences of my life, being able to carry the American flag for an international event like the Olympics.

I have never been able to attend an Olympics (although I really would like to someday), and I might never be important enough to carry an Olympic torch or anything like that, but I did get to carry the American flag in the torch relay, and that will be one sports experience that will be difficult to top.