The Reminder is making its archives back to 2003 available on our website. Please note that, due to technical limitations, archive articles are presented without the usual formatting.
It's a once in a lifetime opportunity to run the Olympic torch through your community Ð and the torch will be carried by a former Flin Flon couple in Brandon next month. Entering two different contests, Michael Blatherwick and Marla Fontaine will be running the torch next month as they were selected winners for the relay. Winning the contest alone is a big feat, but Blatherwick says when he tells people he and his wife are both running, some people can't believe it. "When I mention it to some friends and people I meet, they say 'oh that's great,'" he says. But Blatherwick says the next line always gets them. "And then I say, 'oh right, my wife is running as well." Blatherwick says it's a "privilege" to be running in the nationwide relay. Leaving Flin Flon in 1993 for university, both Blatherwick and Fontaine have been calling the southern half of the province home, aside from coming back during their university years to work in the summers. Now married with two children, Blatherwick says he is excited to be able to take part in this experience. "We're looking forward to it," he said. "Not only is the moment going to be exciting, but once the games are on and when you see the big torch being lit Ð it has a little extra meaning." Knowing that he and his wife were able to carry the torch that will eventually light the cauldron at the 2010 Olympic Games in Vancouver, Blatherwick says it will be a memorable experience. "I'm going to enjoy the moment, but I'm also going to enjoy seeing the cauldron being lit at the opening ceremonies. It's a part of the big, grand event," he said. Not only is Blatherwick able to run with the famous torch, but through work he has been given an opportunity to volunteer at the games. Though he doesn't know if he will be able to watch any of the events, he is excited to be going. "For me, it's interesting just to go," he said. "The event is going to be bigger than anything I've witnessed. "To see the spectacle of the game and the crowd control Ð I'm more than excited to be there at that time." Donning their Olympic track suits, mittens and toques, Blatherwick and Fontaine will run the torch on January 8. Blatherwick will run his 300 metres in Shilo, about 15 minutes from Brandon, while Fontaine will run about an hour later on Richmond Ave for her 300 metres. Blatherwick says he hopes to be able to bring his two children to watch Fontaine run her leg of the relay. "It should be really fun," he said. With the 1988 Olympics being held in Calgary, the torch was run across Canada in the relay. In the past, the torch was run across highways from province to province. This year, the route has been changed as it was hoped by visiting more communities, more people would get the chance to see the torch. A convoy will be leading Blatherwick, Fontaine and the countless other runners through the relay. "It's a parade for sure," Blatherwick says. "It's a parade of celebrating the torch." Since it is not known when Canada will again host the Olympics, Blatherwick says the torch is a sight everyone should see. "I'm excited because I'm running the torch," he said, "but for anyone interested Ð they should catch the torch."
