Day of Torch Relay

The excitement didn't really hit me until we went to the olympic committe's office in Ningxia to try on our official uniforms, and people were standing in lines just for a free torch relay t-shirt. The torchbearers (4 representing Lenovo from the Americas) were asked to have their pictures taken, the press and media were all there, and you can just feel the energy in the air.

Energy felt on the actual day of the torch relay was on another level. The passion and applause from the packed crowd, the beating drums .. it was electrifying.

We started our day at the crack of dawn. Here, you see the security guards lined-up to keep everything in order.

Roads were closed to accomodate the Olympic torch relay. In the middle lies a canal that leads to a large body of water.

Dragon dancers

Father and son

Mother and daughter

Grandmother

Local security

We were transported to the location of of our relay positions in a shuttle bus

Patiently waiting for the flame to be passed to me

Okay, maybe not so patiently

An 87 year old man (Jack) who had dreamt of being an Olympic torchbearer for years (he told us his story) ran past the mark where he was supposed to stop. Furthermore, the air-filled banner came crashing down at the same time. As depicted, I barely dodged it.

Lit and ready to go

Passing the flame onto Shanley (Canada)

Once the ceremony ended and they opened up the barriers, the people came charging through like a fleet of mustangs

Back to the hotel

Olympic torchbearers representing Lenovo

Lenovo Olympic Torchbears from the United States (2) - me and Jason

Olympic torch next to an insert in the daily paper

A closer look shows our names, 4 from the Americas, two from Russia.

Bearing the olympic torch was the experience of a lifetime, and one that I will remember forever. It was particularly profound hearing how others in China were given the same opportunity. A few that I spoke to were police officers and firefighters that had fearlessly served in Sichuan for the earthquake disaster relief efforts. Others were unsung heros or strong contributors to society in their own ways. I felt undeserving of the opportunity compared to what others have done. What a great honor it's been.