Former Snow Lake resident and community recreation director Stephanie Foy was recently a proud carrier of the torch for the 2010 Vancouver Winter Olympics. Foy was part of a team that carried the torch for a kilometre in Winkler Jan. 7.
When asked how it made her feel to be a part of Olympic history, Foy advised that she was nothing short of ecstatic. "As someone who lives and breathes physical activity it was an amazing experience," she exclaimed! "I found out six months before I was to carry the torch and told everyone I knew." Foy even pulled she and fiancé Shaun Jeffrey's five children out of school and took them with her on the day she carried the torch, noting that it was also thrilling for them. "They were as excited as possible," Foy continued. "And even though it was -46 C with the wind-chill, they stood on the side of the road for an hour waiting for me. I really got my 15 minutes of fame as following the run, the kids invited me to tour their classrooms to talk about the experience," she added.
Foy, who is currently employed as the executive director of the Manitoba Fitness Council (which is the certifying body for all fitness leaders in Manitoba), was able to participate in the run through a volunteer association. For the past four years, she has been the president of the Recreation Professional Association of Manitoba (Recreation Connections) and through this association was able to partner with ParticipACTION Canada to take part. She ran her leg with two other Recreation Connections committee members who she has worked with for a number of years.
One question that no doubt commonly comes up of anyone who has carried the torch is: What about the outfit and the torch do participants get to keep them? Well, yes and no! Foy advises that she was able to keep the outfit she wore. She said it will always be a reminder of the event and is a great keepsake. The torch is a different story. She was able to keep hers, but understandably, she had to purchase it. It cost her $350, but in her eyes was well worth that cost. "I will cherish it forever," said Foy. "I probably would have paid $1000 for it."
Of the torch, which was designed by Bombardier Canada, Foy says it weighed about seven pounds (fully fuelled). Each torch is fitted with a fuel cell that will only burn for about 10 minutes; as a result they change the torches quite often along each route. When a person buys one, the fuel cell is removed, so that it can't be mishandled.
Although Foy was only one runner among the many who will ferry the torch to it's final Canadian stop, she felt a sense of honour in being afforded the opportunity to take part. "I have always loved the Olympics the spirit the people the excitement," she said. "To be able to play even a small part in it was wonderful. It was also amazing to be able to share that experience with friends and family."
