Olympic Reminisce

With the Olymics coming to Vancouver in 2010, I decided to share a reminisce relating to the last time the games were held in Canada. When the 1988 Calgary Winter Olympics took place, I worked for a community radio station in Lac La Biche called CFWE FM, which also ran satellite stations in other northern communities. The 88 day Olympic torch relay included a trek through Ft. Vermilion, noteworthy as Alberta's oldest settlement, established in 1788 as a North West Company post.

I reported on the event and had the exciting experience of riding with national press representatives in an open cube-truck in front of the runner. At -50 degrees Celsius, the ink in my pen froze and a more experienced reporter advised me to always bring a pencil--a memorable recommendation that has served me well in my writing career.

The Olympic runner was honoured on a stage of snow but because it was so cold most attendees celebrated the torch relay in the community hall. It was exciting to be part of such a historic event, in Alberta's first community.