Fellow Saskatchewan Cyclists.....
I was recently honoured and humbled by an invitation from the Canadian Paralympic Committee to light and carry the first torch in the 2010 Paralympic Winter Games Torch Relay in Ottawa.
The event took place on March 3 at 10:00 am on Parliament Hill, with the formal creation of the Paralympic flame, speeches from the Prime Minister, John Furlong (Vancouver Olympic Committee CEO), a number of Ministers (Gary Lunn & James Moore), mayors and other dignitaries associated with the Winter Paralympics. In total there were 15 torch bearers at the event, all of whom had a significant connection to the Paralympic movement in Canada, whether they were former or current athletes (Rick Ball), organizers of the Paralympic movement (Bob Steadward) and promoters of the movement (Rick Mercer). Significantly for Saskatchewan, Jasmine Gerein from Pilot Butte ran the torch in her father, Clayton’s, honour. Clayton, who passed away in January and whom many of you may have met over the years, was a seven-time Paralympian and an inspiration to many young wheelchair athletes.
Following the excitement and tremendous experience of lighting and carrying the first-ever Paralympic torch, I was approached by the Jim Richards (head of the Torch Relays) asked if I would consider bringing the Paralympic torch into the House of Commons following the Throne Speech. Very excited by the prospect of once more representing fellow Paralympians and athletes from across Canada and the world, I agreed. And again, another amazing experience that was! I very carefully entered the House of Commons (not wanting to set anything on fire) and managed to high-five almost all MPs sitting in the front rows, including Prime Minister Harper and the leaders of the other parties represented in the House. The mood in the House was definitely celebratory and highly positive (as opposed to Question Period), and the MPs broke into a spontaneous rendition of O Canada.
Cheers! And see you on the road and at the races!!!
Arnold
