I was nominated and selected to be an official Torch Bearer for the 2002 Olympic Games. I wasn't too excited about it before hand, but by that night I admit I was pretty giddy. :)

My parents
My parents were more excited than me, I think, and they flew up from Austin to see the event. They were very supportive, and even paid the fee so I could keep my torch after my segment! :)

Drop off point
After the hour-long pep talk on the bus with the guys from the Salt Lake Committee (Otto and Steve rock!), we were each dropped off in our spot on the torch route. There were crowds along the whole route, and happily, when I got to my spot, I saw lots of friends there to cheer me on. That was the best feeling! There were also fire trucks, media trucks, and lots of motorcycle security. Makes you feel kinda important!

Support was good!
Once I started running, I started seeing some more of my friends along the path (like Carrie & Kathryn). I totally burst into laughter though when I notice Brian running along the sidewalk, keeping pace with me. He was shouting encouragements like a madman and kept me grinning the whole rest of the way. :)

The only lit picture I have...
You may or may not be able to tell it's me, but this is the only picture I have with the torch actually lit. You touch torches with the person running before you to light it, and when you finish running your segment, an official comes immediately to put out the flame. It preserves the integrity of the run, but I kinda wish I could've gotten my picture snapped first.

And then the fanfare...
When I ended my segment, a crowd of folks wishing me well surrounded me. I have to say, while I asked a bunch of friends to come watch me, I wasn't expecting the public to care. However, when I stopped, a bunch of people wanted their picture with me. Pretty cool...

I'm a rock star!
Other people asked for autographs or to hold the torch or asked about my story. I got my picture with Japanese tourists and even gave autographs to Jack in the Box employees! Bizarre.

The Boys
When the crowds thinned some, I finally got to chat with my friends that came!

#1 Fan
Happily, Dieter was able to get there after class! (That was the fabulous thing about my assigned segment, it was in Capital Hill, blocks from my apartment, and just about 6pm so folks could get there after work and class). I don't know what exchange was going on in this photo, but we both look pretty silly! :)

Chad
My neighbor Chad came, and he even brought his mom. (She was super cool and even came to dinner with us).

Wing
We took a few final photos before heading to dinner, including this one of a very coy Wing. :)

I should've taken a picture at dinner because Pagliacci's was so cool to us! When the manager heard I'd just run with the torch, she gave our whole group our meal free! That was super sweet of her, and I really should send a thank you note. :) All in all, it was a pretty fun event. Thanks go out to Charles for the nomination (I'm a "Community Leader"), thanks to my parents for their visit, and thanks to everyone who came out to cheer me on. Y'all rock!