Here comes the flame
Torch ignites Pan Am spirit in Oshawa
Norma Douglas, Oshawa’s Pan Am Games community torch bearer, waves to throngs of elated residents as she carries the torch into Civic Square. Douglas was the last torchbearer on Oshawa’s leg of the torch’s journey and was responsible for igniting the Pan Am cauldron.
By Joel Wittnebel/The Oshawa Express
The rain wasn’t enough to put out the flame burning atop the Pan Am torches, or keep hundreds of Oshawa residents from cramming civic square on June 5 for the official kickoff of the Pan Am Games in Oshawa.
Although the weightlifters and boxers won’t arrive at the General Motors Centre for a few weeks yet, the arrival of the torch and the lighting of the cauldron symbolized the beginning of the games in Oshawa, and residents were happy to see it.
Pan Am torchbearer Gino Vendetti carries the torch down King Street during his leg of the torch’s trip through Oshawa.
The event also drew MP Colin Carrie, MPP Jennifer French, several members of city council and Mayor John Henry, all of whom expressed the importance of the city hosting one of the largest athletic events in the country’s history.
For Councillor Dan Carter, the celebrations were a good way to keep the high spirits in the city going – those high spirits originating from the Oshawa Generals victory at the Memorial Cup on May 31.
“I think everyone is still overwhelmed and over the top with the Generals and I think this helps keep that momentum and energy going,” Carter says. “It’s just a great way to just kind of push right through into the spring and summer season and it also just lifts the spirits up.”
The Pan Am torch began its journey in Teotihuacan, Mexico, on May 28 before arriving in Toronto on May 30.
The flame will travel through more than 130 communities in Ontario as well as Halifax, Montreal, Richmond, Calgary and Winnipeg, carried by more than 3,000 torchbearers.
More than 80 bearers helped the torch along its path through Oshawa.
“On a dark rainy night, the excitement and energy that was there was amazing,” said Mayor John Henry of the celebrations. “As it progressed and the torch finally got to the stage, the rain let up and the sun started to come out and there was an evening of music and celebration. It was a great evening.”
The Pan Am Games officially begin on July 10 and run until July 26. Oshawa will see the arrival of thousands of spectators and athletes for weightlifting and boxing events.