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Olympic torch relay once-in-a-lifetime opportunity 7 · Friday, December 18, 2009 OAKVILLE BEAVER · www.oakvillebeaver.com Continued from page 1 They are bearing the Olympic torch and are part of history -- local, national, international and Olympic history. Some torchbearers have been physically working out to be ready for the job, some haven't. Some count themselves lucky to carry it in -- or near -- their hometown of Oakville. Some are not, but wouldn't trade participating nonetheless. All are filled with anticipation of carrying the Olympic torch in the longest Olympic Torch Relay in Canadian history -- and all are awed when they do it. "I know just how exciting it is as I was lucky enough to carry the Olympic torch for the 1988 Calgary Winter Olympics," said Kelly Amos, a former public school trustee whose son Taylor, 15, of White Oaks Secondary School will carry the flame in Niagara-on-the-Lake this Sunday, Dec. 20. Sarah Graham, an 18-year-old Queen's University student from Oakville carried it in Belleville earlier this week. The Iroquois Ridge High School grad has lived here for 17 years and is Sarah Graham studying physical health and education at university. "I realize this was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and I feel very fortunate to have been part of this Canadian history. I was overwhelmed by the energy of the community. My hope is that I was an inspiration to all youths to encourage them to achieve their goals and dreams," said Graham. Montreal natives and former Olympians, 87-year-old twins Rhona and Rhoda Wurtele, will carry it here Saturday. "It is a pure delight to be even part of the Olympics at our age," said Rhona Wurtele Gillis. The Wurtele sisters were in the Olympics together in 1948 and have been wowing the Canadian women's ski scene most of their lives. "On the 40th anniversary of being a Canadian by choice, I am just overwhelmed and I am honoured I am able to participate," said former mayor Ann Mulvale, who will carry the torch locally -- having it passed over to her at Devon Road -- this Saturday, Dec. 19 when the torch makes its way into Oakville shortly after 2:30 p.m. Mulvale was nominated by RBC, one of the Olympic sponsors in recognition of her long tenure as Oakville's mayor and her more recent capacity as cabinet chair of the Oakville United Way campaign. There are lots of stories attached to how each local resident became involved in the relay, but the one constant is their pride at being part of it. While many are worrying if they're up to the job of being a torchbearer, Olympian Adam van Koeverden is thinking about weather conditions. The 2004 Olympic gold medalist in kayaking will carry the torch his allotted 300 metres -- each torchbearer carries it that distance -- along the Sixteen-Mile Creek Saturday. "If we get a few days of minus four or five (Celsius) there will be ice on the creek," the 2004 gold medalist said. He's paddled through ice before, so he's ready for the challenge. Besides van Koeverden, three other Burloak Canoe Club members are also torchbearers. John Wood, a 1976 silver medalist, is slated to carry the torch from the canoe club to the Oakville Public Library. Club member Alan Thomson, who participated in the 1984 Los Angeles Games, will be carrying the torch in Burlington Saturday (from Burlington City Hall, south on Brant Street to Lakeshore Road) and on Dec. 20, Brady Reardon, who participated in the 2008 Beijing games, will carry the torch in Jordan, Ontario. Verna Dalgleish, 69, will also carry it in Jordan. An Oakville resident for 19 years, Dalgleish has a long history of excelling in sports, specifically dragon boating, soccer, squash and even tennis, which she did not seriously pursue until she retired at age 60, but has mastered at the World Masters level. "This will definitely be the highlight of my athletic endeavours," said Dalgleish. For Dalgleish, carrying the torch is the next best thing to competing in the Olympics. Oakville is the hometown of several outstanding Olympians, from Larry Cain and Donovan Bailey to van Koeverden. It is now also home to many a 2009 Olympic torchbearer. Twenty-year-old Dan Aziz, who was born and raised in Oakville and attended St. Vincent, Rotherglen and Appleby College, aspires to be in the Olympics. "I was asked to participate on behalf of The Toronto Hospital for Sick Children. When I was 13, I broke my neck in a wakeboarding accident and Sick Kids saved my life," he said. See Participants page 9 For the Health of Our Community This year the Oakville Hospital Foundation was blessed with numerous community partners who raised money for the Oakville-Trafalgar Memorial Hospital to purchase vital medical equipment that government funding alone cannot provide. On behalf of the doctors, nurses and support staff at OTMH, the Oakville Hospital Foundation would like to wish you and yours a happy and safe holiday season and may the year ahead bring peace, prosperity, good health and much happiness. Thank you for your generosity and support. A BRAND NEW GENERATION OF CLEAN FACE GAS INSERTS COLLECTION by Kingsman INTRODUCING THE CAPELLA Mastering the Art of Fire. 3600 Laird Rd., Units 12 & 13 Mississauga, ON Hours: Mon.-Fri. 9-5, Sat. 10-4, Sun. 12-4 www.ontariohearth.com 905.569.2404