In 1976 I was motivated to compete in ROWING along with 20 other Canadian women in the Olympic Summer Games in Montreal. The motto of the Olympics is Citius, Altius, Fortius which means Swifter, Higher, Stronger. It was our job to excel at our sport. We focused on nothing else but our competition. All I remember about the Torch Relay in Montreal was that the last runner was an anonymous boy and girl who represented the equality of the sexes. Yes, the 1960's and 1970's were the years of revolution, civil rights & feminism. The Torch Relay was so appropriate, especially since the female athletes that year proved that women could ROW!
How motivating it was to find out that I was going to be a Torch Bearer for the 2010 Olympic Winter Games, it gave me the opportunity to focus on the meaning of the Torch Relay and the Olympic Flame. In my particular group of Torch Bearers on Day One, I heard how it means something different and special to each one of the people touched by the flame. For me the Olympic Torch Relay means Striving for Excellence, Peacefully".
The Olympic Games is about doing your best in sport. But the Olympic Flame reminds us that WHATEVER YOU CHOOSE TO DO, STRIVE FOR EXCELLENCE. When you do your best it brings out all the best qualities and virtues in you, just like competing in sport at the Olympics does for athletes.
On Day One of the 2010 Olympic Winter Games Torch Relay I watched as the young girl arrived to use her torch to light my torch. It did not diminish her flame to light my torch. In fact for a moment there was a super flame between us! By the time I had passed the flame to the next runner, and the flame in my torch went out, the flame had rekindled a fire in my old heart. I heard that the flame touched every Torch Bearer's heart!
Imagine this: The 2010 Olympic Torch Relay is creating a circle of light around our vast country of Canada. Not only from torch to torch but from heart to heart. The spirit of the Olympic Flame will shine from the hearts of all people who witness it, perhaps reminding us to strive for excellence in everything we do. The Olympic Flame invites us to be Everyday Champions. WHEN WE DO OUR BEST WE SHINE LIKE THE OLYMPIC FLAME.
This little light of mine, I'm gonna let it shine...
