My Brush with the Olympic Torch Relay

Today I ended up in the right place at the right time! My only intentions were to find a place where I could see an Olympic Torch Bearer run by and come away with a few snap shots. I checked out the scheduled times and routes and found a place that would work for me. I took this photo along the way. Gosh our city is growing and look at that blue sky! Perfect!

I found a good spot and just stood my ground, socialized with others and waited. Someone pointed out this was a torch bearer change over spot. Perfect! CTV showed up, parked their vehicle, got out and milled around and I thought, somebody who is a somebody, must be gonna show up if CTV is hanging out here. Perfect!

The excitement starts with police vehicles paroling, the 2010 official vehicles driving by, Hawks flying overhead and people yelling, waving flags and beating the tambourines handed to us by RBC. Yes, I was beating mine! Perfect!

The estimated time of arrival of the Olympic Flame was 11:21. Approximately 10 minutes before it was due, the Van carrying the Runners stopped beside me and who should jump out but Stephen Ames. He was all decked out in a Torch Bearer uniform carrying a torch. We exchanged pleasantries and then I asked to have a photo taken with him. As you can see, he obliged. I didn't get to hold the torch but I did get to touch it. Perfect!

It was time to move aside and watch what I will probably never see happen again in my lifetime, the torch bearer running along, meeting up with Stephen Ames then passing along the flame to light the torch.  I am having issues downloading my video to blogger so this is a still from the video.

I applied to be a torch bearer but was not picked. This has got to be the next best thing! This turned out being much more then I expected. Like I said before, I ended up in the right place at the right time! How perfect is that!