Watching the Olympic torch make its way across Canada on television really didn’t mean much to me. It was not until I was lucky enough to have it arrive in Winnipeg while I was visiting. My sister and I walked out of a mall and saw a line of people gathering on a snow bank along Regent Street. Immediately I knew it was the torch. We ran to the street and ahead of the celebrations. The procession had not made its way yet and it gave me time to get ready with the camera. I noticed only 50 meters away from me a small crowd gathering. It was one of the runners with his unlit torch waiting and ready for the “flame off” - where his flame would be ignited by the finishing runners torch. I ran towards him.
When I reached him I was struck by one of two things. What it means to be Canadian or what it means to be a Winnipegger. I am not sure which one it is- maybe it’s both. Living in London,UK I have become accustomed to so much security around everything grand. Even things not so grand, one always is aware there is someone watching you. It is what separates the viewer and waters down any experience. Yet here I was standing inches away from THE TORCH. The runner had no security around him. People were making friends instantly with him for a photo op. He smiled and smiled and enjoyed his short lived fame.
As the other runner approached I was asked to stand back politely by Olympic officials - not police or hired security - guys in track suits clearing the way so the flame could be lit safely. Mobile phones freezing glows capturing history as cheers wailed in the air. Chills filled me. This was an act of celebration and even liberation - for me any ways. I was included in this process. This EVENT. No wall of security nor armed guards were quelling me from it. After the torch was traded I ran with it. 400 meters to the next runner and the next exchange. Running and taking pictures on my point and shoot. No one telling me anything. No orders given to stop. I was truly free to participate.
Walking back to my sister and brother-in-law I couldn’t believe this had happened. How much I was able to be a part of a national event. How much we at that moment were all part of a national and soon world wide event. And it was the inclusion - the trust the city had in its people to have open access to this symbolic torch which made this for me a stand out celebration. I was not only celebrating the Olympics, but also celebrating liberation. That in this dark,cold Winnipeg night a warmth was found, not from the flame of a torch, but through a trust in the citizenship of a city.
