Olympics | Locals thrilled to be picked

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By JENNIFER DUNVILLE
dunville.jennifer@dailygleaner.com

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Sarah Fitzpatrick is one step closer to living her dream of working for the Olympic committee.

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Olympian Richard Dalton talks about the importance of carrying the Olympic torch at a news conference in Fredericton on Tuesday.

Sarah Fitzpatrick, right, was one of 22 locals chosen to represent Fredericton in the 2010 Olympic torch relay. She’s shown with Olympian Richard Dalton and the RBC mascot.

The third-year University of New Brunswick student was among those selected to carry the Vancouver 2010 Olympic torch in the Fredericton area.

Fitzpatrick will be joined by hundreds of others who were chosen to participate in the relay across Canada.

"My dream is to actually work for the Olympics one day - Sport Canada or either the Canadian or the International Olympic committee," Fitzpatrick said.

"Sport is, has always been and will always be such a huge part of my life. So this is a pretty big deal for me."

On Tuesday, 22 locals, including Fitzpatrick, were chosen to be torchbearers through an online competition hosted by the Royal Bank of Canada.

They will join about 12,000 Canadians in carrying the Olympic flame as it travels from coast to coast through every province and territory in Canada - spanning 45,000 kilometres and more than 1,000 communities over the course of 106 days.

Local torchbearers chosen in the RBC competition will have a chance to carry it through Fredericton and the surrounding area when it arrives in the capital Nov. 25.

"We are pleased to announce this fantastic group as 2010 Olympic torchbearers. Their contributions to the city of Fredericton are helping build a lasting legacy for New Brunswick's capital and for Canada," said Glen Kelsey, RBC regional vice-president for western New Brunswick.

"To be part of the Olympic torch relay is a unique and exciting opportunity and RBC is proud to offer Canadians a chance to participate in the Olympic celebrations and share in the Olympic spirit."

Olympian Richard Dalton, who participated in the RBC torchbearers announcement Tuesday, said the torch relay and the enthusiasm it generates across the country will help Canadian athletes competing in the Olympics.

"I can say from my perspective when I competed in the Olympic Games that knowing people back home were interested, enthusiastic and supportive was a huge boost because really it's kind of intense and a little bit nerve-racking to compete in the Olympics," Dalton said.

"To have the support and know there are people out there pulling for you can be a huge boost to help you get in the right zone to perform at your best. The enthusiasm spreads from person to person, so the more people see the Olympics bringing out that excitement in people, the more it'll grow."

The Olympic torch relay will make stops at the legislative assembly building, the University of New Brunswick and St. Thomas University, St. Mary's First Nation and Canadian Forces Base Gagetown.

The route is expected to be within one hour's drive of 92 per cent of the population of New Brunswick.

"I hope everyone comes out to watch the relay because the Olympics haven't been in Canada for a long time and it'll be a while before they are here again," Fitzpatrick said.

"It's going to be really fun with the whole atmosphere and the crowd being around, plus my friends told me they will come and watch me carry the torch. There's a lot of Canadian pride involved in this, so it's all very exciting."

A community celebration will be held at Officers Square, with local entertainment from 6-8 p.m. on Nov. 25.

In case of inclement weather, the celebration will be held at the Capital Exhibit Centre.

For more information, contact the community services department at 460-2230.