TRURO - The Olympic torch was passed from hand to hand while warming people's soul in central Colchester County Tuesday night.
Distinguished athlete and well-respected coach Bob Piers ran the last leg and lit the cauldron. After the ceremony, while getting a picture in front of the cauldron, he allowed many people in the front rows an opportunity to touch his unlit torch.
He said it was special to be able to share that moment with a community he loves so much.
"It's wonderful that it means so much to everybody," he told the Truro Daily News. "The Olympics and the Olympic spirit is alive here in Truro."
A festive atmosphere rained down on Victoria Park as thousands came to downtown Truro to be apart of history.
As Piers arrived on stage, his Cobequid Cougars girls' volleyball team shouted out, 'I love you Piers.' Piers pushes his players daily to be better, and not just as athletes, but as people. As he went through the crowd, former players and their parents cheered him on.
"The crowd, that was special," he said moments after lighting the cauldron.
Sportsnet's Arash Madani helped MC the event. The Truro native remembers when
the torch came through the town prior to the 1988 Olympics in Calgary. His Grade 3 class went to the Provincial Normal College for the ceremony.
"It was a pretty powerful night and a pretty powerful moment," he recalled. "And now, 20 years later, to be here with the Olympics on home soil, it's tremendous."
The former Truro Daily News reporter said the torch has a unifying touch.
"It's amazing when you combine athletics, nationalism and the Maple Leaf together what it can do to bring all these people together," he said.
Cole Harbour native Tasha White said running with the torch was an amazing, once-in-a-lifetime experience.
"I actually can't even remember all of it because it just goes by so fast," she said. "I wish I could have run farther."
While rain was in the forecast for last evening, it never materialized. Piers said organizers told him Mother Nature has been very good to the torch as it passes through communities on its way to Vancouver.
"Maybe that's a sign that somebody up there is looking after this torch relay," Piers said.
jmalloy@trurodaily.com
Olympic torch celebrations make for a powerful night
Olympic torch celebrations make for a powerful night
- Published on November 18th, 2009
- Published on Febuary 25th, 2010
-
Jason Malloy
- Number of views : 2661
- Rate
- Top of the page
Comments
-
- Bill
- - March 1st, 2010 at 14:40:11
As Chair of the organizing Committee I want to Thank Ashely Simms/Cathy Von Kintzel Town of Truro and Terri Roblee/Craig Burgess of the County of Colchester...these individuals among many many others made the Night One to Remember!
What a Team!!
Mayor Bill Mills
Town of Truro -
- carrie
- - March 1st, 2010 at 14:40:00
We were so excited to see and have the opportunity to touch the torch. My son and I appericate Mr. Piers to allow us to do so. Thank you Mr.Piers for the memory for both my son and I.
And to make it on the front pag.Woot Woot!!!
Carrie & Aaron Sylliboy Millbrook First Nation -
- Glen
- - March 1st, 2010 at 14:39:53
Arash Madani is my hero.
-
- Sara
- - March 1st, 2010 at 14:39:44
We sat on Prince St to watch the torch relay, we were disapointed. when it went past us all of the runners were in the bus with the torch! so sadly we did not actually see the torch, but all of the other entertainment was wonderful!
-
- denise
- - March 1st, 2010 at 14:39:43
great job truro , Ashely Simms/Cathy Von Kintzel Town of Truro and Terri Roblee/Craig Burgess of the County of Colchester. the truro youth singers did a great job thanks ann for your hard work and time with the girls . all the other entertainment was great . good evening truro
-
- Sarah
- - March 1st, 2010 at 14:39:42
Sara - if you only saw the runners in the bus, you didn't stick around long enough.
It was a little confusing because the hype went by first, the trucks with mucsic and the kids running with flags and glow sticks. That appeared to be the whole thing but a couple more trucks, police cars, and the torch runner were about 5 minutes behind it.
Once the hype passed by, it seemed the parade was over and sadly, you're probably not the only one who missed it. -
- Lindsay
- - March 1st, 2010 at 14:39:34
I was so happy to read that Mr Piers was chosen to run the last leg. He has been, and obviously continues to be, a huge part of the community and I'm glad he was recognized in this way.
Wish I had been there to see it, but I watched it on the news from up here in Alberta this morning. Congratulations to Truro/Colchester! -
- Jen
- - March 1st, 2010 at 14:39:32
What a great night in Truro. A wonderful show of community spirit!
