[Printer Friendly Version]   [How to E-mail This Article to A Friend]

SPORTS ZONE 1: Olympic Torch Lights Up America

On Wednesday, June 16, 2004, the Olympic Torch was welcomed to America in Los Angeles. It arrived in America after an overnight flight from Mexico in a plane called “Zeus.” Sylvester Stallone was ready and waiting to begin the Torch relay on Venice Beach. One hundred fifty torch bearers completed the route to Dodger Stadium. Among them was Pete Clentzos, now 95, who competed in the 1932 Olympics and was cheered on by his former students; Father Gregory Boyle who felt the unifying spirit of the torch; cancer survivor Christopher Howard who ran on an artificial limb to inspire hope; and Ellen DeGeneres. Tom Cruise finished the relay before the torch traveled to St. Louis.

Greek dancers greeted the torch in St. Louis on Thursday. St. Louis, proud of its heritage as the first U.S. city to host the modern Olympics, carried the torch through Washington University’s Francis Field where the 1904 track and field events were held. Hope was also inspired in St. Louis by blind torchbearer Rebecca Hodson. Unlike the bearers in Los Angeles, many of the torchbearers, like Bonnie Blair and Jackie Joyner-Kersee, were medalists in past Olympic games. This was only the second stop. The flame continued to Atlanta on Friday.

The symbolic flame of peace and unity arrived in Atlanta at Coca-cola headquarters. One hundred thirty-five inspirational Georgians were chosen as torchbearers. Georgia honored their service and commitment to the community whether the bearers walked, ran, or rolled in a wheelchair. The first proud Georgian to step onto Martin Luther King Drive was Rafael San Miguel, who lost his hearing as an infant but grew into a softhearted scientist. The end of the relay saw the flame home to Centennial Park.

Saturday found the Olympic Torch in New York City, contender for the 2012 Olympic Games. The relay began in Athens Square Park. Torchbearers from all walks of life-paramedics, fire fighters, police officers, former football players, former Olympic Medalists, artists, school principals, TV news anchors, rappers, retired teachers and others--brought the torch to Times Square. Like all torchbearers, those carrying the flame in New York wore issued white socks, shorts, singlet, shoes, and gloves to symbolize the unity of the global village. When it has lit all six continents, the torch will return to Athens and the Olympic Games will begin.

--Written by Katheryn Troyer

Write your own story telling us what you think about this article!

Read SPORTS ZONE 2: Army Announces Baseball Team