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"a ‘Special Olympian’, Hazel McCallion then took to the stage, ...The crowd erupted in applause, even chanting Hazel’s name repeatedly." - An Olympic sized election event for Hazel McCallion!
To the Abuse of the Olympic Torch web-page.
To the main Judicial Inquiry page - to the Hazel McCallion page.
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Mississauga News - Dec. 19, 2009 - By Debbie Bruce.
Olympic flame touches city (- 2)
Burning passion. Olympian Cheryl Pounder lights the cauldron with Mayor Hazel McCallion
looking on at Civic Square Saturday morning as part of the celebrations for the 2010 Olympic torch relay.
The relay started it's Mississauga stretch on Burnhamthorpe Rd., near Etobicoke Creek and made it's way to the city's centre just before noon.
Photo by Steven Der-Garabedian
The city was ablaze with Olympic spirit on Saturday, when the 51st day of the 2010 Olympic Torch Relay swept into town.
At about 10:30 a.m., Stephen Covic carried the Olympic flame across the Etobicoke border into Mississauga — commencing the first leg of a four hour cross-city journey that culminated in a star-studded community celebration at the Civic Centre.
The torch passed from hand to hand along Burnhamthorpe Rd. until it reached Olympic gold medalist Cheryl Pounder, who proudly jogged the flame into the celebration grounds as she was greeted by thousands of people enthusiastically waving paper torches, red flags and blue clanging tambourines.
The Olympian then took to the stage, and used her torch to light a massive caldron. An emotional Pounder, who called the experience one of the most incredible moments of her life, wiped tears from her eyes as she reminded the crowd to “believe in yourself, have fun, and have passion for what you love.”
Introduced by Minister of Labour Peter Fonseca as a ‘Special Olympian’, Hazel McCallion then took to the stage, fresh from her own 300-metre sprint carrying the famous flame. “What a delight, what an inspiration!” she yelled to the energetic crowd, clad in the torchbearer’s uniform of red mittens, white hat, jacket and pants.
“When I took that torch, the glowing, it just lifted your spirit and said you are a Canadian, and as such we’re in the best country in the world: Canada.”
The crowd erupted in applause, even chanting Hazel’s name repeatedly. More entertainment followed the speeches, including a dance performance by the Mississauga Chinese Arts Organization and violinist Adrian Anantawan.
The Community Celebration also included a rhythm drumming circle, buskers, acrobatic and percussion stage performances as well as interactive tents with crafts and photo ops with Olympians and the torch.
“This is so exciting,” said Port Credit native Lianne Gravitis, who came with her friend Meredith Chadwick. “We came down here to share into the spirit of the Olympics and got so much more. What a great day to be Canadian.”
This year’s torch relay introduced team torchbearers, a new concept to the program, in recognition of the teamwork and cooperation needed in sports.
Immediately after the celebration, 20 members of the Mississauga Braves Hockey Association worked together to carry the torch down Hurontario St., each running in 50-metre intervals.
“This is just amazing, it’s such an honour,” said a member of the Braves, Luck Stockden.
The Our Lady of Mount Carmel high school student, who is just day 10 days shy of his 14th birthday, purchased the commemorative torch as a souvenir. “It’s the best birthday present ever, I will cherish it forever,” he said.
The torch relay ends in Vancouver on February 12, where it will make its last appearance at the opening ceremonies for the 2010 Winter Games.
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