The Canadian Colleges Athletic Associations Men’s National Volleyball convenor, Leigh Goldie, was chosen by the city of Grande Prairie to be the official representative for Grande Prairie to run with the Olympic Torch in its relay across the country.

The Olympic Torch relay began October 30th, 2009 in Victoria, British Columbia.  Since then the torch has been handled across the country making its way into its current leg of the relay, into the province of Québec.  However, when the torch made its way to Grande Prairie Alberta, Leigh Goldie was the lucky participant to light the cauldron with the Olympic torch. 

 “It was a really neat experience to be able to carry the torch and light the cauldron” says Leigh Goldie.  “I was chosen by the city of Grande Prairie to be the official representative for GP.  It was a beautiful day, sunny and +5 degrees.  They estimated 3-4,000 people lined up for the route and there were another 2,000 or so in the park where I lit the cauldron.  I’ve never had my picture taken so many times as close to 300 people wanted their picture taken with the torch.  One woman even had me hold her 5 month old baby while she took a picture of me holding the baby in one arm and the torch in the other”.

 “The following Monday I went to two elementary school assemblies to speak about the torch and the Olympics, and, of course, for more pictures,” kids Goldie, “almost every kid wanted to touch the torch.  I, like most others in the relay, am keeping my torch to have on display.  It truly was a once in a lifetime experience.  The torch seems to strike a chord with Canadians and I am sure the excitement will continue to grow as it makes its way back across the country”. 

This year’s torch relay is the largest torch relay ever.  The torch will travel from October 30th, 2009 to February 12th, 2010 and stop in more than 1,000 communities.

Stay tuned with the CCAA to view more stories about CCAA members participating in the Olympic Torch Relay.

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