On the second day of the Olympic Torch's time in Canada, we were again set to attend the event in Nanaimo, which turned out to be larger than either of us expected. A last minute call by Leila to PacificSport got us "Performer" passes into the event, and we hung out at the PacificSport booth for a while talking to Drew and Brenda there.

A student, Derrian Sport, from Nanaimo District Secondary School (the high school where Leila teaches) got to carry the torch, and was a rock star for a day, as everyone wanted photos with her! Check out the still remaining smoke burns on the torch. Sadly, each runner had to pay $400 for the privilege of carrying the torch home.


Sorry folks, my iPhone takes terrible pictures at night! That's Drew and Derrian.

Leila and Derrian.

And Derrian on her own.

PacificSport is a pretty cool organization in Olympic terms, as it's tasked with providing resources to upcoming athletes to insure future medal success. More resources= more medals. This has been proven in other countries with great success in my former sport of cycling. Of course, with more funding, one could wish for more, like in the case of the former Australian track team, and witness what great success has come from funding sport through the lottery of Britain.

I like that this is an organization that's oriented toward providing whatever assistance people are willing to give to the athletes, and not simply writing checks! It's a lot more valuable to do it this way instead, in my view, and more comprehensive. I know that if/when I have the chance to work with upcoming athletes through PacificSport, my need for contribution will be quite met from a community standpoint, and I am sure others who contribute will see it similarly. I encourage everyone to participate in this sort of action. People are sorely needed for Olympians to become so, years before the torch runs by and then again years after the medals are handed out and only memories remain.

We were dressed in some of Leila's former 1984 Olympic and '1988 Calgary Olympic Torch Run' regalia. Notice Drew in the background smiling away!

I thought that my 'Performer' tag was perfect, as I was playing the part of someone who had earned those outfits! All I could do was point to Leila when asked about it!

We watched some bands perform, some local child dancers dance,

an artist make some artwork later to be given to the City of Nanaimo:


and Leila signed autographs and we played a little ball with the NIU Volleyball team next to us.

We listened to the Premier, Gordon Campbell, talk about the arrival of the torch, and got to meet him afterwards:

Pamela Leila Rai and Premeir Gordon Campbell:

Sorry again for the iPhone photos!

An old friend of Leila's from swimming times, Stephanie Howes, had a good friend named Lara Dauphinee, who Leila also knew from years back. She's apparently now the Executive Assistant to the Premier himself! What a surprise!
Naturally, we got a photo with my terrible iPhone camera. A long while in Photoshop later (as with all these iPhone photos), here we have them together:

After much schmoozing and catching up, we headed back to try to catch the Olympic Torch Relay arrival.

Local Nanaimo Paralympic hero Michelle (Mikey) Stilwell was carrying it into the stage:




You'll notice the kid standing with his grandfather on the stage, rightmost. The poor kid looked uncomfortable up there, and everyone in the crowd around us started to cheer for him. I think his name was Heinrich I think. We even started talking of him running for office soon! Go Heinrich! He presented an award to the Mayor of Nanaimo with his grandfather.

We met Michelle (Mikey) Stilwell after and got this photo:

Two Olympic medalists from Nanaimo!

Afterwards, there was much glee at the fireworks:

And we went home. Truly a once in a lifetime event!

Tags: Olympic Torch Relay