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AnonymousInactivehttp://www.thebarrieexaminer.com/ArticleDisplay.aspx?e=2182410
EX-CANADIAN-OLYMPIAN TO CARE THE
FLAME & COLLECT EMPTIES
Carrying the flame for Barrie
Olympic pride and
excitement burns inside Bill Hamilton’s heart, and next month, that same
flame will be flickering in the Barrie man’s hands.Hamilton has been
chosen to be one of several local torchbearers in the Vancouver 2010
Olympic Torch Relay through a section of Barrie on Dec. 29 when the
famous flame arrives in the city.”The next time I hold this torch,
there’ll be flames coming off of it,” said Hamilton, a sales
representative with Sutton Group, holding the torch high in one hand. “I
can’t wait for Dec. 29. I’ll be running with the torch from Essa Road
near Sticky Fingers (Bar and Grill) to Anne Street.”Hamilton and
his wife, Debbie, are avid runners, doing eight-to 10-kilometre runs at
least twice a week. And every four years, when the Games begin, they’re
often glued to their television. So, it’s fitting that he was chosen
after entering the RBC Carry the Torch Contest last November.But
Hamilton said he never thought a guy like him could ever get a chance
to be part of a pre-Olympic event.”As soon as I was aware that the
average guy had a chance at this, I jumped on it,” he said. “When I went
onto the Royal Bank of Canada (RBC) website and saw the contest, I just
had to get involved and I hoped I’d be selected.”My dream has come
true, and what it means to me is uniting the different countries,
representing my country through this act, and passing on that Olympic
spirit,” he added, choking back his emotions. “The excitement is
building for me, and there’s such a feeling of joy and pride for being
chosen and helping that Olympic flame get lit.”Each torch bearer
must make a pledge to create a better world for all, and Hamilton has
taken a green approach with his.”I’ve started a recycling and collection
program at my work with batteries, toner and ink cartridges,” he said.
“They’ll be collected and given to a local recycling company, keeping it
all out of the landfill.”Hamilton spoke and displayed the torch
during the grand opening of the new RBC Barrie branch on Bryne Drive
Wednesday afternoon.Steve Nixon, RBC’s regional vice-president, said
combining the two announcements seemed fitting, and expressed his
excitement at having another local resident chosen to bear the Olympic
torch.”We offer congratulations to Mr. Hamilton for being selected,”
Nixon said. “Over the coming months, even more announcements will be
made about more chosen torch bearers across the country.”Nixon
said he’s pleased with how well received the new branch is among
clients.”We’ve been open two weeks, and the public response has been
astounding,” he said. “We pride ourselves on partnerships and growth,
and we’re happy to provide a new and much larger branch to
customers.”Former Olympian Jeff Bean was also on-hand for the event, and
said he shares Hamilton’s pride in being connected with the Games in
some way.The Ottawa native retired from freestyle ski
competitions after the 2006 Winter Olympics, but with the Games fast
approaching, he’s full of anticipation.”There’s a real energy and
excitement among Canadians that’s almost tangible now,” said Bean, who
is promoting the Games and the torch relay for RBC. “I’m still involved
in the Olympics, but in a different way. But, there’s still that same
level of excitement for me as they draw near.”Bean also paid a visit to
Bear Creek Secondary School and St. Catherine of Sienna School in
Barrie, yesterday. -
AuthorNovember 20, 2009 at 10:46 AM
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