The Torch Relay is an Olympic symbol of peace, brotherhood and enlightenment and represents a summons to the Olympic Games.
The 2010 Olympic Torch Relay in brief:
- Over 100 days in length.
- Over 1,000 communities and places of interest where torchbearers will carry the Olympic Flame.
- Nearly 200 celebrations hosted by communities in every province and territory.
- Approximately 90 per cent of Canada’s population will be within a one-hour drive of experiencing the Olympic Flame.
- Over 45,000 kilometres will be travelled.
- Extensive tour of the North including a planned visit to Alert, Nunavut, the northernmost permanently inhabited community in the world.
- 12,000 people will have the honour of being an Olympic Torchbearer and will help carry the flame to Vancouver, a majority of whom will be selected through public programs.
...here's one of the early exchanges... it was way too windy...so the for the torch relay they walked with the lantern--that kept the flame alive!
The sky was a pink and purple....but it was freezing COLD! (I was glad for my long johns, wind pants, and Goose Jacket.. I'm not sure how the torch carriers could do it in those 'thin' windbreaker type suits!)
The last person on the leg of the relay walked up the hill... with his torch in full flame....
It was a pretty exciting moment.... the whole community was clapping and cheering!!
All the runners of the relay had their torches lit at this moment...... it was pretty awesome!
The Cauldron was lit.......
A little piece of Athens, Greece here in Resolute Bay, Nunavut!
A shot of the five Torch Barriers from Resolute!
This is a close up look at how the flame is transported---all the way from Athens, Greece.... all the way across Canada...
I got to hold it! Once we were inside one of the organizers said, "we should reflect on the flame... what it represents--peace, community and to remember that we each can take a piece of the flame and carry out in our lives.... to make a difference in the many different paths we take.... to take a look and see how it brought Resolute together on a cold day--to Celebrate!!"
Makes me wonder where next I'll travel to...what direction I will take...and where I will end up.... (some deep thoughts!) LOL
Standing beside the Cauldron.. just before we were ushered inside... so they could pack it up... to get ready for the next place to celebrate!!
Inside Coca-Cola, one of the sponsors of the relay, had a 'photo' booth.... and took photos that you can download from online...... I snapped on of this cute little boy....
..then of course... ended up in the cue....
(I'll have to check out the Coca-Cola photos when they upload them!)
There were many speeches, and cultural celebrations... this is a young drummer... who performed..and the children from the school did a square dance!!
This little girl couldn't stop dancing with her flag.... she's a cutie!
All in all it was an awesome hour... that ended with a community feast... it was pretty cool that my trip up here happened to be when the torch was coming through.... Pretty darn cool!!
(I hope you don't mind the HUGE post!!!)
9 comments:
WAY COOL! (literally and figuratively!)
Very Cool & very emotional for this Canadian-Greek or is it Greek-Canadian Very proud of my heritage.
Awesome post. Not very many people can claim to have seen the Olympic torch in Resolute. I even recognize someone in one of your photos if I'm not mistaken. Thanks for this post.
What amazing adventures you have had during this past year. Your photos are awesome - love them all.
I'M SO JEALOUS! why, oh why, wouldn't they take it to the most beautiful community...pang?
After Tara's posts, yours is always the first I read ... love your photos and your joyous enthusiasm. What wonderful experiences you are gifted with.
Chris
I don't think I can express my jealousy of this fantastic experience. Good for you, now that's a memory.
Your photos are great from Resolute. It may be too late, but could we use one in the Nunatsiaq News feature on the torch relay??
Thanks-
janeg@nunatsiaq.com
cool....
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