THE FINAL torchbearer in the city says it's a humbling thing to be chosen and to be part of the Olympic torch relay.
Dave Jephson will take the torch on Eby St. and carry it to city hall where he will light the cauldron.
“It's humbling for sure,” he says.
Jephson was approached by the local Olympic torch committee last fall about whether he was interested in having his name put forth as the final torchbearer.
Community members suggested his name to the committee, which had three choices to give to VANOC, which made the final decision and chose him.
Being chosen by VANOC is an honour, he says, even moreso than being chosen by the community or committee because the Olympic people singled him out of three choices.
Many other runners were chosen by draws and raffles.
Since he was chosen, many people have approached him to show their support.
Jephson was out plowing snow when a neighbour told him how awesome it was he'd been chosen. The neighbour's wife said her husband had been running around the house saying he was the right choice for a couple of weeks.
“It's nice coming from the community and I believe in the community and support the community,” says Jephson.
It's neat to be part of the largest torch relay in the history of the games. he says.
To prepare, he's been exercising a lot, which was a good thing as he lost some weight and now needs to get his torchbearer suit altered.
He says the torch relay will have benefits for the city as money has been and will continue to be put in the city because of the Olympics as the sponsors will need hotels and food and fuel.
He's hoping that youths can take part in the torch run, maybe the minor hockey players wearing their jerseys and following him.
“At the end of the day, we're still commoners so we're all able to take part in a little bit of history,” he says.