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Flame ignites passion

It was a great honour to have had the opportunity to be one of Canada’s 12,000 torchbearers. It is hard to explain the exhilarating feeling of carrying the official Olympic flame and being a part of its 45,000-km journey across Canada. I also was overwhelmed by the number of family, friends and Redfish School students and parents who turned out to cheer me on and run with me. They inspired me to run faster and proudly hold the Olympic flame above my head for all to see.
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Fire it up — Linda Blair

It was a great honour to have had the opportunity to be one of Canada’s 12,000 torchbearers. It is hard to explain the exhilarating feeling of carrying the official Olympic flame and being a part of its 45,000-km journey across Canada. I also was overwhelmed by the number of family, friends and Redfish School students and parents who turned out to cheer me on and run with me. They inspired me to run faster and proudly hold the Olympic flame above my head for all to see. The flame itself was amazingly big and brilliant in the darkness and it seemed to wave to everyone. It was a true symbol of peace and friendship and community which connects us all.

I wanted to be a torchbearer because I have tremendous respect for what the Olympic Games stand for and for all the athletes who pursue their dreams with their incredible pursuit of excellence in a sporting spirit.

All the athletes know that the most important part of the Olympics is not winning, but participating and doing your best. That is what life is all about.

— Linda Blair

Grade 2 teacher at Redfish Elementary School