Who do you think should light the Olympic torch?

There are no words to describe the first moment when you discover what a plague cancer is. It can decimate one's body just as well as it can destroy one's family. As a woman and a mother, she has seen more than anyone should ever have to see, things that most would break in the thought of. But Betty Fox was not a lady known for quitting when times got rough.
Through her son's, Terry Fox's, Marathon of Hope, his dream of global cancer awareness, and his never ending perseverance to find the cure for the disease that eventually took his life, Betty stuck beside her son, supporting him like only a mother could. From an eighteen year old school boy with a prosthetic leg, to a nationally know figure, a Canadian hero, her presence and dedication to his cause was never swaying.
Even now three decades later, as Terry Fox runs in heaven, his legacy is carried on and his marathon is continued in the hearts of millions of people in Canada, and around the world. His message of hope is forever in our minds.
For Betty Fox to light the Olympic cauldron would be in honour and representation of all families who have seen cancer, and fought despite all odds. It would be a continuation of the Marathon of Hope in the most international of ways, allowing every country in the world see how we Canadian's honour one of our own fallen, one of our greatest hero's, Terry Fox.

I believe that the person that should get the chance to light up the torch at the Olympics shouldn't be a celebrity or particularly famous. It should be a child from BC children’s hospital. If they could experience this honour, I could imagine the warmth of their smiles shining out afterwards.
One small gesture could change a person’s day, or life in fact. These children don’t often have the chance to smile, or laugh because they may be very ill, or even extremely bored out of their minds. I know this as a fact, because I too, was a patient at the Children’s Hospital in Vancouver.
However, having the honour to light the torch at the Olympics is not only going to fill their hearts with joy because of such an incredible experience, but that moment will be well rested with them. I think if a child from the hospital was chosen, it could reveal to other children, youth, etc., that nothing is impossible.
My fellow classmates might argue and say an athlete or heroic figure should have this opportunity but why not a young child? We are the future generation and should experience as many opportunities as possible! I can’t respond to this question with a specific person, but choosing one of a couple hundred children from a local hospital could immensely brighten up a day.

Lighting the olympic torch is a sacred thing that very few people are privileged to do in their lives. So the same with becoming a canadian born actor. Thats why Canada should choose an international role model in jim Carrey.

He's made us laugh and touched our hearts for years now let's reach out and touch his. Jim Carrey has been an actor and helper. now we can award him with one of the world's most prestigious titles the olympic torch lighter. Jim Carrey has held a charity for so many things. He also spends some of his free time visiting hospitals. Jim Carrey is a national idol and one of canadas home town heroes.

Jim Carrey has shown canada how to smile in this tough times and and how to stay warm inside with his humour so now he can bring the world together with the lighting of the torch

So you think YOU can dance? She sure did. Tara jean, a beautiful blonde choreographer and dance instructor was crowned Canada’s favorite dancer in so you think you can dance Canada (season 2) I nominate Tara-Jean to light the Olympic flame, for many reasons.

Tara-Jean was just a small town girl with huge dreams and a big heart willing to work. She was born in Lethbridge, Alberta. Tara-Jean is a 20 year old contemporary dancer who never thought she had it in her to be a famous dancer. I think Tara-Jean is a worthy candidate to light the Olympic flame because she is a very talented and free spirited dancer.

Tara-Jean is a role model for many young dancers such as myself, not only dancers but ordinary people also .She inspires others. Tara-Jean experiences showed me that no matter where you come from, weather it is a small town or a big city, if you have a dream you can make it come true if you try hard.

-Christine Boatman

Who should light the Olympic Torch?
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By: Emily Bator
A wave of clapping hands and cheering whistles greet the skaters as they stand on the second place podium. Holding up their shinning silver medal, they wave at a crowd of cheering fans. I believe that these two former figure skating champions, Brian Orser and Elizabeth Manley, should light the 2010 Olympic torch because they represent Canada’s Olympic success.
The last time Canada hosted the Olympic Games, Canadian athletes won only 5 medals. The two silver medals were won by figure skaters. This was the highest Winter Olympic achievement by Canadians on Canadian soil so far.
Though they are now retired from this competitive sport, in 1988 they were strong competing athletes. They lived and trained in the full time role of figure skaters. They have paid their price with many sacrifices. Unlike many professional athletes, Orser and Manley skated purely to be the best. They worked hard to achieve goals and not only for the fame. During the XV Olympics in Calgary, there were no gold medals won by Canada, giving Orser and Manley the highest podium standing for the Canadian Olympic team.
Orser and Manly earned fame and became role models for many young skaters. Now, during the Vancouver 2010 Olympic Games, I think they should have the honour of lighting the Olympic torch. When the brilliant flame breaks through the icy night, these two figure skating legends should be a great motivation for young athletes. They stay connected to this sport throughout their lives. Orser is currently a coach of one of the greatest skating talents in history, Yu-na Kim. Manley has performed in many ice shows since the Olympics in Calgary and has written books about her experiences. I think they should have the honour of lighting the Olympic torch.

It was a surprise to all of us as the official Olympic torch lighter came around the last corner. It was the first time any of us had seen or heard about the Olympic torch lighter. VANOC kept its Olympic lighter secret until the games but it truly was amazing as the Olympic torch lighter came around. I tried to lean out over the rail to get a better look. I was shocked to find that the man was not running but rolling his wheel chair. That man was Rick Hansen.

I racked my mind on why they would have picked him. He was brave, generous, he never gave up. He had a lot of heart and he always had a smile on his face no matter what. I had watched him on TV before and seen him rolling across the Great Wall of China with all these people cheering him on.

I started to go deeper into my thoughts and asked myself why I thought he was brave and generous and why he never gave up and why he always had a smile on his face.

He accepted his disability and saw the good in life even when it was hard. He was generous because of all the donations he had given to hospitals. He would set a goal for the day on how many kilometres he would roll and he wouldn’t stop until he was done every centimetre of every kilometre. As Rick Hansen once said, “No matter how big the challenge is, all you have to do is try and you will succeed.”

Michael was in his frontyard, hanging up Christmas lights from roof to ground. He had what would have had to be at least five different colours of lights, covering nearly every metre of his yard. Every year, he would add something new to his house. His wife and kids were always very proud of the way his house looked at Christmas. Every year, Michael had hoped to have a sizable, fantastic picture of his house in the newspaper when he was voted the best decorated house for Christmas. This year he thought to bring in some help. He asked his family to give him a hand, and they were all thrilled to be a part of the tradition.
“Well, it’s done. Let’s get a look at it,’ Michael had said when at last, they were finished decorating. They took a few large steps back, and stood side by side as they saw the brilliantly lit house before their eyes. They felt proud that all of them worked together to make it so special. With the help of his family, they had the most outstanding house in town, they had their picture in the newspaper, and they had the satisfaction of a job well done.

I would nominate someone who has helped to make something better in the world, and who hasn’t given up. Michael has taken his years of experience to better the world. He’s been a great role model to kids and adults, including his two children. He is the perfect role model for people everywhere, especially kids who can look up to him, and grow up to be admired people just like Michael J. Fox.

There are many different people who could and should light the Olympic torch. One of them i think is Jim Carrey. Jim Carrey is a proud Canadian actor born and raised in Ontario, Jim Darrey has kept people entertained for years and I think Jim Carrey should be honoured with this great opportunity to light the Olympic torch. Jim Carrey has received a lot of awards but this would be the ultimate award. That's why Jim Carrey should carry the Olympic torch

One person created the opportunity for Vancouver to host the 2010 Olympics. However, many tears have been shed since Jack Poole announced that we would host the Olympics, because he passed away from cancer. What Jack Poole did for the Olympics is he became the chairman of the Vancouver Olympic Committee, to ensure that the Olympics were in Vancouver in February 2010. The Olympic Games were brought to us by him, which means he’s the reason why all these athletes are going for gold.

His family is a huge part of this event because they suffered through his absence, for days while he was making this happen. Their lives may never be the same, but when they see that torch light up, they will remember why the Olympics are in Vancouver, and they will feel inspired. The Poole family will feel honored and blessed that they got this opportunity to light the Olympic torch. After the torch is lit the family will look deep into the flames and see him because those flames that they see represent Jack Poole. The family and the athletes should will feel strong and fortunate that they all will be participating in two weeks devoted to excellence

2010 is almost here! When Jack Poole’s family steps up to the podium with the flame, the absence of Jack Poole will be among them. Therefore, they are doing this for him and for Canada.

By Ellen Buckley-Maple Ridge Secondary School

--- Lighting the Olympic torch is a great honour, so why not choose someone with experience leading this country? Joe Sakic is a proud Canadian hockey player with a gold medal from the winter Olympics. He was one of the leaders on the 2002 gold medal team. He is very well known which can benefit our country. Sakic is the eighth all-time point leader. Although he retired last year, people won't forget him. He is a former MVP of the NHL and has won other trophies.

--- Joe Sakic is a Burnaby native. Since some of the Olympic events will be done in Burnaby, I think it makes sense that he should light the flame. Even after playing his entire career outside of British Columbia, he still chooses to live here.

---One of the most defining actions of Sakic's career was at the conclusion of the 2001 playoffs. Defying the NHL tradition of the captain being the first to skate around with the Stanley Cup, Sakic passed it off to teammate Ray Bourque. Bourque is one of the best defensemen to ever play. He had been traded to the Avalanche the year before after spending 21 years with the Boston Bruins and setting the record for most games played without winning the Cup. Sakic's handing of the trophy to Bourque is seen as just another example of Sakic's leadership abilities and how he performs through actions rather than words. This leader could continue with lighting the torch. Even after retirement, I believe this individual should still be known, and respected.