The Olympic Torch arrived in Owen Sound at 7:38 pm in a wind chill of -25C. About 5,000 people showed up at the celebration zone beforehand to pose with the mascots, get their picture taken with a Torch, jostle for free light-up Coke bottles (each one numbered, like limited edition art prints), and listen to local bands. Despite being bundled up like the Michelin Man the crowd made a lot of noise and lifted each other's spirits during the wait after dark.
Then the escort trucks plowed through the snowy streets, themselves escorted by cops and mounties (no protests happened here). Then a huge cheer as the flame was spotted down main street. We knew to stand at the spot marked for the transition (for your future reference, it's the numbered orange dot stuck on the light pole!) and sure enough the flame was passed in front of us. One of the world's iconic rituals, for sure.
The honoured last torch bearer in Owen Sound was Jason Crone, a local minor league hockey player who took up wheelchair rugby (aka Murderball) after an accident damaged his spine and who was on Canada's Paralympic team in Beijing. Lucky guy, the torch warmed his face as he grinned all the way to the stage surrounded by cheering toques and mittens.
Our exposed skin glowed as red as the giant Canadian flag projected over us. The overnight cauldron was lit, the anthem was sung in Ojibwa, French, and English, and Jason encouraged the kids present to have fun in all they do. Next up were the politicians which instantly caused almost everybody to scatter to our cars and the warmth of home.
This morning it's still brutally cold and the Torch left at 6:30am to the sound of Ojibwa drumming, marking the steady beat westward to Vancouver. See you there.
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