Pic 1 is the route, 2nd is her supporters, 3rd is Lee way in the back & her finishing!!!!
TOUCHED BY THE FLAME & CARRIED BY 147 PAIRS OF HANDS ON DAY 1 IN VICTORIA
The Torch is on its’ way & I was fortunate to be a part of this incredible event. I was the 61st runner to carry the flame, the sacred symbol of the Olympics. The spirit of the Torchbearer Relay & all it represents was overwhelming & a day to always remember filled with joy & love, reflecting the hope of the future.
From the moment we drove off the ferry in Victoria, the skies cleared & the rain stopped. I had planned on changing into my Torchbearer uniform & bionic knee brace at the hotel. Well, we had a lot of problems getting there as there were so many roads barricaded due to the Torchbearer route. As we were running out of time, I jumped out of our mini-van & asked the assistance of police. They kindly unbarricaded the roads for us & directed us to the hotel, which was downtown & overlooking the Inner Harbour. Then a mad dash for the hotel & getting ready. Then we had to find our way out of Victoria again.
Now to the Relay. All Torchbearers on my route (12) met at Butchart Gardens for final briefing. We learned how to do the kiss (light the next Torch) & how to hug without setting the Torchbearer on fire. Also, exactly what would happen when the escort convoy arrived at our starting point. This included 2 big Coke Trucks & Royal Bank Trunk (major sponsors), complete with dancers/singers, motorcycle cops/RCMP cars/ police on bicycles + so many other security & Olympic officials. I also had an escort runner + an assistant Torchbearer ready to assist me if need be. I really felt well protected. By the way the sun had come out & the sky was a beautiful blue & no rain clouds in sight.
The Relay was behind approximately 1 hour as the plane bringing the Torch ran into weather related problems. Apparently, the headwinds over Iceland were horrific. So, we had to wait on the Torchbearer shuttle bus. I was having problems sitting so long with my bionic brace on so asked to get off the bus & walk a bit. Well, as soon as I got off here come the kids & parents wanting pictures & to talk to me. Talk about feeling like a celebrity! This went on forever & I was having a ball. We were told not to take our hands off the Torch & I honoured their request at this time. I always had my hands on the Torch when allowing others to touch it. The host then got off the bus & said I had better get back on & laughingly said “hey, the party has not started yet”. Gosh, I thought it had!!!
Soon, we were told we must rev this bus load. up As each one of us in turn were soon to start our segment of the Relay. On goes the upbeat, loud, rock music & we are singing & swaying & me dancing at the back of the bus. I looked back through the window & an RCMP car was right on our tail. 2 RCMP females were laughing their heads off at my antics. Heck, I was warming up!
Well, soon my turn came & as everyone had done before as each left the bus, loud, loud, cheering, high 5’s, you go girl! I got off at my start position & here comes the fans! Man, oh man how exciting! This time, I did let go of my Torch & let all that wanted to hold it, with me posing with them for pictures. An Olympic official came & activated my Torch. He said get ready, your Torchbearer will be here in just a minute or so. Move into the middle of the road & prepare to do the kiss (accept the flame).
Goodness, I was so overjoyed & oh so ready to do this! Here came Victoria & we did it perfectly. I started out at a fast power-walk. I guess a little too fast as my escort runner said “SLOW DOWN, YOU ARE ABOUT TO OVERTAKE THE CONVOY” Gosh, I was not even running yet. I finished 1 block like this & looked at him & asked if I could go for it? He said “lets go” & I did only to see a hill in front of me. Not to worry I thought “bionic brace” will get me up it & it did!! Crowds of smiling, cheering, happy people everywhere just had me so ecstatic. Part of our final briefing was to make sure we acknowledged the crowd & boy did I ever. I was almost hoarse hollering out,” welcome, thanks for coming, nice to see you, go Olympics go”! Just on & on & me running all the time yelling this out!
Then my escort runner said” you are getting close”. Well, me so overjoyed & probably a runners high by now, ran right past my fellow Torchbearer who was waiting for me! He yelled out, come back here & light my Torch! I had not gone very far so turned around & ran back & preceded to give Ron the biggest hug (without setting him on fire) & then we did the kiss!
I wished him good luck & away he went.
I never saw any of my friends or my partner standing by the road snapping pictures when I came running in. All I recall seeing as I came up the hill was my golden-haired beautiful sister with her camera. I wanted to cross the street & greet her & my other friends but here comes the shuttle bus & they got me on it in one heck of a hurry. No time for anything really as we had to pick up the next Torchbearer.
What an awesome experience & such an honour & privilege to be part of this amazing event. It is hard to beat the power of the flame given to us by the sun in the temple of Hera in Greece. I will fondly remember this all the days of my life.
Lee Turner
2010 Olympic Torchbearer # 061
The Torch is on its’ way & I was fortunate to be a part of this incredible event. I was the 61st runner to carry the flame, the sacred symbol of the Olympics. The spirit of the Torchbearer Relay & all it represents was overwhelming & a day to always remember filled with joy & love, reflecting the hope of the future.
From the moment we drove off the ferry in Victoria, the skies cleared & the rain stopped. I had planned on changing into my Torchbearer uniform & bionic knee brace at the hotel. Well, we had a lot of problems getting there as there were so many roads barricaded due to the Torchbearer route. As we were running out of time, I jumped out of our mini-van & asked the assistance of police. They kindly unbarricaded the roads for us & directed us to the hotel, which was downtown & overlooking the Inner Harbour. Then a mad dash for the hotel & getting ready. Then we had to find our way out of Victoria again.
Now to the Relay. All Torchbearers on my route (12) met at Butchart Gardens for final briefing. We learned how to do the kiss (light the next Torch) & how to hug without setting the Torchbearer on fire. Also, exactly what would happen when the escort convoy arrived at our starting point. This included 2 big Coke Trucks & Royal Bank Trunk (major sponsors), complete with dancers/singers, motorcycle cops/RCMP cars/ police on bicycles + so many other security & Olympic officials. I also had an escort runner + an assistant Torchbearer ready to assist me if need be. I really felt well protected. By the way the sun had come out & the sky was a beautiful blue & no rain clouds in sight.
The Relay was behind approximately 1 hour as the plane bringing the Torch ran into weather related problems. Apparently, the headwinds over Iceland were horrific. So, we had to wait on the Torchbearer shuttle bus. I was having problems sitting so long with my bionic brace on so asked to get off the bus & walk a bit. Well, as soon as I got off here come the kids & parents wanting pictures & to talk to me. Talk about feeling like a celebrity! This went on forever & I was having a ball. We were told not to take our hands off the Torch & I honoured their request at this time. I always had my hands on the Torch when allowing others to touch it. The host then got off the bus & said I had better get back on & laughingly said “hey, the party has not started yet”. Gosh, I thought it had!!!
Soon, we were told we must rev this bus load. up As each one of us in turn were soon to start our segment of the Relay. On goes the upbeat, loud, rock music & we are singing & swaying & me dancing at the back of the bus. I looked back through the window & an RCMP car was right on our tail. 2 RCMP females were laughing their heads off at my antics. Heck, I was warming up!
Well, soon my turn came & as everyone had done before as each left the bus, loud, loud, cheering, high 5’s, you go girl! I got off at my start position & here comes the fans! Man, oh man how exciting! This time, I did let go of my Torch & let all that wanted to hold it, with me posing with them for pictures. An Olympic official came & activated my Torch. He said get ready, your Torchbearer will be here in just a minute or so. Move into the middle of the road & prepare to do the kiss (accept the flame).
Goodness, I was so overjoyed & oh so ready to do this! Here came Victoria & we did it perfectly. I started out at a fast power-walk. I guess a little too fast as my escort runner said “SLOW DOWN, YOU ARE ABOUT TO OVERTAKE THE CONVOY” Gosh, I was not even running yet. I finished 1 block like this & looked at him & asked if I could go for it? He said “lets go” & I did only to see a hill in front of me. Not to worry I thought “bionic brace” will get me up it & it did!! Crowds of smiling, cheering, happy people everywhere just had me so ecstatic. Part of our final briefing was to make sure we acknowledged the crowd & boy did I ever. I was almost hoarse hollering out,” welcome, thanks for coming, nice to see you, go Olympics go”! Just on & on & me running all the time yelling this out!
Then my escort runner said” you are getting close”. Well, me so overjoyed & probably a runners high by now, ran right past my fellow Torchbearer who was waiting for me! He yelled out, come back here & light my Torch! I had not gone very far so turned around & ran back & preceded to give Ron the biggest hug (without setting him on fire) & then we did the kiss!
I wished him good luck & away he went.
I never saw any of my friends or my partner standing by the road snapping pictures when I came running in. All I recall seeing as I came up the hill was my golden-haired beautiful sister with her camera. I wanted to cross the street & greet her & my other friends but here comes the shuttle bus & they got me on it in one heck of a hurry. No time for anything really as we had to pick up the next Torchbearer.
What an awesome experience & such an honour & privilege to be part of this amazing event. It is hard to beat the power of the flame given to us by the sun in the temple of Hera in Greece. I will fondly remember this all the days of my life.
Lee Turner
2010 Olympic Torchbearer # 061
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