Even after the Olympic torch has made its pit stops in Wellington County, local connections carry north as Fergus resident Kim Zinger is one of the official torch bearers through Durham.
In an email to the Advertiser office, Zinger wrote, “The uniform has arrived and so have the red and white mittens. I’m scheduled to run Dec. 28 at 1:30pm. I will be starting along Lambton Street West and running to Bruce Street (Highway 4). My torchbearer number is OTR060-094 for those of you who would like to come and cheer me on.”
She said the experience is amazing her.
“I still sometimes can’t believe the opportunity I’ve been given. I received my notification just before my birthday in August. It is such an honour to be part of this relay and a part of history in the making as I join all the other Torchbearers in carrying this symbol of unity across Canada.”
Zinger’s pledge was to create healthy environments and a blue water future. Her goal is to drive less or take public transit. She wrote that “driving less not only protects our environment by reducing toxic emissions into our air it also provides exercise which promotes healthy bodies. Walking, biking, and use of public transportation allows us to become more familiar with our own community and the people that live in that community as well. It’s a win win.”
She said the essence was to use her car less and instead to run, walk or bike.
That approach decreases car emissions, “but the other thing it does, it means a healthy body through exercise and you’re out meeting your neighbours. It’s helping to build some community.”
She and a friend had seen advertisements on television and thought, “It would be really cool to do that.”
Zinger applied in January or February and filled out online forms with her pledge.
She heard around the end of May that she had made it into the second round.
At that point she learned she would be told in six to eight weeks if she actually made it into the final group.
“Then I got the message in August I’d made the final cut. It was pretty exciting.”
She felt bad for a friend who did not get in.
“It’s been really exciting. But they tell you to take your time and enjoy it … to really be in the moment. Even at the handoff point, they say to just hold it and take in how you are feeling.”
She added that she has also been training.
“I started running last year with a local group.”
She said family and friends are very excited for her.
“One thing I really liked about this is that it was open to all Canadians. Everybody had the same opportunity to do it, and I think it brings the country together in celebration … in the spirit of the Olympic flame and the unity”.
