Fire. It’s the one thing that man has sought since the beginning of time, and that still carries equal importance today. Few flames may be less symbolic and important than that of the Olympic Torch, which Brantford will have the honour of celebrating in December.

In the lead-up to the Vancouver Olympics, the torch will be traveling to communities throughout the nation. Brantford was lucky enough to be selected as not only a city along this tour, but as a “celebration community,” meaning it will host a community event the night the torch arrives in town.
The city will be holding a two-hour celebration at City Hall that night, and Lori-Dawn Cavin, one of the leaders on the “task force,” states that it will be one to remember.

“Olympics is not just about sports, it’s about diversity, unity and pride,” Cavin said. “Our event is to not just celebrate sport, but to celebrate culture through sports.”

Rick Mannen, who carried the torch in 1987, continued the idea of focusing on a sense of unity.

“The flame represents unity,” he said. “And in the longest national Olympic torch relay ever, we will leave a profound and enduring legacy.”

Another big feature of the celebration will be the honouring of former Olympians, Special Olympians and Para-Olympians. Among the athletes will be recent softball star Cindy Eadie, historic track star Deborah Miller-Brown, and Kevin Sullivan, who has represented Canada at the past three summer games.

With the way the celebration has been designed, it is obvious that Brantford wants it to be big, and that the city wants it to represent pride of their athletes. The promotional video shown at the Tournament Capital of Ontario committee meeting highlighted the recent championship’s of Brantford’s own Blast, Red Sox and Golden Eagles. Also in the video was Brantford’s Lord Mayor, Walter Gretzky, reminding everyone that “we believe in our community, and we believe in our athletes.”

It was also announced that Canadian rocker Suzie McNeil would be there for an after-party to take place in Harmony Square on the same Monday.

“Most communities are doing one event,” Cavin later said. “Brantford’s doing three.”

Regardless of how Canada does at the 2010 Olympics, the City of Brantford will be able to celebrate their role in the torch relay.

For more sports news, check out Kyle W. Brown’s blog.