Torch comes to town

The spirit of the Olympics burned in the hearts of local torchbearers as the flame came through town over the weekend.

The Olympic Torch Relay came to Thunder Bay during its trek across the country. The flame was in Sault Ste. Marie before arriving at the Terry Fox monument in Thunder Bay Sunday.

Each torchbearer ran for 300 metres before handing off the flame to another runner. The flame was then driven from the monument and into town to continue its local route from Red River Road.

The Thunder Bay Auditorium was already busy with people wanting to get a photo with some of the torchbearers Sunday afternoon. Dale Shippam, 58, wore the signature jogging suit and a blue scarf as he waited for the torch to arrive.

Shippam entered an online contest and said running in the relay is a great way to get involved in the Olympics in a small way.

"I didn’t think I would get it," Shippam said. "I was very surprised and quite pleased when I got the email from them saying I was being considered."

As the torch drew closer to Vancouver Sunday, more people would tune in to watch the relay, which in turn helps to unify the country, he said.

Shippam said he would jog slowly to enjoy the moment. In 1999, Shippam had a heart transplant and says he is appreciative that he can go out and carry the torch.

"To be able to go out into the cold and run with the torch and feel good is just…a miracle," he said.

Fred Schwertner, 54 from Toronto, said he was dedicating his run to four very special people: his wife, mother, mother-in-law and father. All four of his family members have been touched by cancer, he said.

"For four special people I have dedicated 75 metres of my trek," Schwertner said. "I’m going to forget all the problems in the world for that brief moment when I carry that flame."

Schwertner applied in July and never thought he would be chosen until Nov. 13 when he was contacted that he would indeed be a torchbearer. Schwertner said he used to be a runner, but when carrying the torch he is going to walk.

By the time the flame came to the auditorium there was standing room only. The final torchbearer was Olympic women’s ice hockey gold medallist Katie Weatherston who lit the cauldron onstage at the auditorium.

"It’s amazing and an honour (to be the final torchbearer)," Weatherston said. "It very similar to the same feeling when I won the gold medal in 06. You feel the Olympic spirit."

Weatherston said she had mixed emotions about carrying the torch. She said she wanted to be involved in the 2010 games but knew she couldn’t. Carrying the torch was a good way to be apart of the Olympics, she said.

Chris Shauf, a spokesman for the Olympic Torch Relay, said the reception of all the communities has been warm.

"We’re very much looking forward to bringing the flame to Thunder Bay," Shauf said in a phone interview. "The vision of the torch relay and the Olympics is to connect the flame to all of Canada. We want to make the winter games Canada’s games."

Shauf said the flame would be visiting more than 1,040 communities across Canada. The relay allows each town to become an Olympic community for a little bit and sharing the glory is an important part of the games, he said.

The torch will be run at Fort William First Nations Monday morning and then transported to Kakabeka Falls before heading to Kenora.