Atlanta to Achieve Olympic Torch Relay Five-Peat with Arrival of LA28 Flame & Coca-Cola Entourage

Somewhere along the way, I learned things go better with Coke. 

And many Olympic memories do include at least one of their beverages nearby, starting with their LA84 Sam the Olympic Eagle bottles.  

With the Atlanta-based global brand closing in on its Olympic sponsorship centennial in two years -- and given their lead presenting sponsor status for many five-ringed torch relays since 1992 -- it's fitting Tuesday's release of early details for LA28's Olympic Torch Relay took place at Atlanta City Hall.* 

In case you didn't already hear the news, the upcoming summer Games organizers and a tetrad of presenting sponsors (Coke with Allstate, JPMorganChase and Xfinity) will recruit and accompany torchbearers in all 50 U.S. states, a relay first. 

Another fact clear from the announcement: When the LA28 flame departs Greece in two Aprils from now, Atlanta will welcome the Olympic light and send on its North American journey with a flourish, much like Los Angeles did when the '96 Olympic Torch Relay began with Rafer Johnson 30 years ago.

The unveil did also specify the full route will be unveiled in 2027, according to the press release. It may not be the biggest torch relay worldwide, but may top the '96 and 2002 relays that touched much of the Continental U.S. 

But today's announcements also teased questions yet to be answered:

• How will torchbearers be nominated and selected, and by whom with what criteria?
• 
  How many thousands will be "real folks" versus sponsor-designated runners?
• Does "all 50 states" mean a focus on U.S. capital cities or a greater inspiration from specific icons of the American landscape?
• Will there be a single relay or multiple relays in play, borrowing from the Tokyo 1964, Sapporo 1972 and Nagano 1998 relay playbooks in which three runners/ entourages crossed Japan simultaneously in vastly different corners of the islands?
• How will Atlanta's Olympic cauldron factor given the recent strife over its location and whether it will move?

Watching taped remarks by the mayor, Janet Evans, Laila Ali and Coke's CEO yielded apt and repeating references to shared traditions from Los Angeles and Atlanta in 1996. 

I saw no mention, however, that LA28 will create an Olympic torch relay five-peat for the Georgia capital. Here's the breakdown on that:

• The LA84 relay crossed Atlanta on May 31 (one of my PR career saviors, Dick Yarbrough, was a BellSouth/AT&T torchbearer and regional organizer who ran on Peachtree Street, which he wrote about in the nonfiction book "And They Call Them Games" also detailing his later career work at ACOG)
• The '96 relay spent its penultimate day and night in Atlanta before the opening July 19
• Salt Lake 2002 kicked off their torch relay Dec. 4, 2001, with Muhammad Ali as the first torchbearer at Centennial Olympic Park 
• The Athens 2004 global Olympic Torch Relay was in Atlanta on June 18 
• Akin to "SNL" hosts, April 2028 elevates Atlanta to five-timer's club or an Olympic torch relay five-peat+

Something to love from today's announcement is the explanation of the torch relay "A" concept. 

Perhaps the "torches" of vertical lines, which in some ways vaguely resemble the Sydney 2000 torch design, offer a possible nod to the direction Los Angeles' torch shape may prove to be.

It was also fun to be among the first to follow @LA28TorchRelays. Everyone is encouraged to also keep tabs on LA28 Olympic Torch Relay updates via the landing page established for that purpose. 

And now, some questions for readers: Who would you nominate to carry the Olympic flame for LA28, and why? What qualifications do you think are apt for such an honor?

Also, where do you want to witness the array of powerful emotions inspired by the Olympic Torch Relay in the USA? 

An urban icon like the Gateway Arch in St. Louis (also home of the 1904 Olympic Stadium at WashU, a likely LA28 candidate for a celebration stopover) or a far-away picture postcard spot, like "Forrest Gump" leading the way Monument Valley?

He just felt like running.  

Please share your suggested destinations in the comments. 

I personally wouldn't mind seeing the relay back in my hometown Edmond, Okla., where the LA84 runners crossed about a mile from my childhood home, literally igniting much of my Olympic life, and the Atlanta relay visited on the morning of May 19, 1996 (my torchbearer segment was that afternoon in Oklahoma City). 

That would be some kind of three-peat!

*I just wish someone in the PR departments for City of Atlanta or Coke, Allstate, JPMorganChase or Xfinity -- the quaternion of presenting sponsors for the 2028 Olympic Torch Relay -- had invited this little Olympic blog that could reporter in Coca-Cola's hometown to their LA28 press event. I did appreciate the LA28 press team's apology for the oversight. 

+The concept of Olympic-specific five-peat is arguably the invention of International Society of Olympic Historians (ISOH.org) lifetime member J. Brian Carberry, who meticulously updates five-ringed three-, four-, five- and more-peat details with each Games. Read his topical article here. 

All images via LA28 except the Coke Olympic pin photo at right by Nicholas Wolaver via WorthPoint.com and except for the Visit Utah photo by Melissa Kinney

Paris 2024 Unveils Nouveau Olympic Torch Design

Building upon last month's announcement of the torch relay route for next summer, Paris today revealed its 2024 Olympic torch design, with blended themes of equality, fluidity and tranquility. 

Or to be more precise, the new torch is "inspired by equality, water and peacefulness" according to press materials shared under embargo until today's unveiling in the French capital. 

On a press preview call last week, Paris 2024 officials shared numerous details in anticipation of the announcement du jour, the penultimate date for tomorrow's "one year to go" milestone for next year's opening ceremony.

When the design competition opened, each of the 10 entrants enjoyed near carte blanche options to dazzle the selectors. From a finalist field of three, French designer Mathieu Lehanneur earned the assignment "chosen for his poetic and highly symbolic approach, along with his ability to grasp the values and expectations of Paris 2024," according to this announcement. 

On the press call, Lehanneur also shared that organizers encouraged his team to submit multiple design proposals, but in spite of this option, they went all-in and did not deviate from the final, reflective concept that was at once elegant in its simplicity and complex in its operational features to withstand intense wind, rain or other forces of nature. 

"We wanted to be sure it achieved balance with a message," said Lehanneur. "We [later] discovered in the process that it is a super complex design to keep the flame beautiful and visible."

The Paris 2024 torch is sleek and original, for the first time equal in shape and curves from the center to its top and its base handle. The "perfect symmetry" features an "equator" of gold. 

Perhaps a figurative "toast" to the torchbearers, my take is each of the halves resemble stylized bottles of wine fused at their bases. 

While the top half of the torch is smooth with a Champagne-colored matte finish -- showcased in the press kit as "bead-blasted" -- the lower half is fluid and mirrors light like waves of, and reflections from, surf or a running stream, symbolic of the Paris 2024 Olympic Torch Relay's planned journey across the Mediterranean Sea and four oceans. 

When I asked if this torch was designed for use beneath the surface -- like the flame sticks of Sydney 2000 and Sochi 2014 held by scuba divers -- officials confirmed there are "no plans" for this torch to be submerged, but that "new surprises" will be revealed during upcoming months, including the cauldron from the same firm.

The design's hollow, round top enables the fire within to burn up and out, but also a "flame slip" cut into the steel will encourage fire to wave outward "like a flag" as the torchbearer walks or jogs forward. 

Other facts about the new torch:

• Fabricated from 100% recycled scrap steel with equipment typical of auto manufacturing lines
• Finished with a high-tech coating that "cleans easy" while encouraging patina from flame ignition
• Weight is 3.3 lbs (1.5 kg)
• Measures just over 27.5 inches (70 cm) long
• Widths = 1.38 inches (3.5 cm) to 3.94 inches (10 cm) 
• The smooth, groovy "waves" enable even nerveuse/nerveux torchbearers to get a grip
• While the torch exterior and assembly is tous Français, the inner workings rely in-part upon engineering used for the Tokyo 2020 torch design as well as fabrication in partnership with Luxembourg-based ArcelorMittal, which built the public art/attraction "Orbit Tower" at London 2012's Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park and will install the cauldron as well as monumental Olympic rings of steel at iconic Parisian sites.

One surprisingly petit number for the Paris 2024 torches is the quantity produced: Only 2,000, which was a conscientious decision by organizers in the name of sustainability. 

I personally wondered, but stopped short of asking, whether they realize this vast reduction from over 10,000 may make the collector's market go fou furieux (berserk), but then, their mission had nothing to do with the relay's likely aftermarket. 

When more than one reporter pressed about the quantity, organizers explained that "some" (dozens? hundreds?) replica torches of the original size will be made, but not carried in the relay, for sponsor, educational/museum or ceremonial purposes. Miniature replica torches also will be produced, presumably for retail sale. 

Now that LVMH signed on as a Paris 2024 sponsor, maybe the torchbearer uniforms will be touched by Dior or Louis Vuitton.

Back to the inspiration behind Lehanneur & Co.'s bold work: In terms of equality, the parity of female:male entrants at Paris 2024 led to the reflective, symmetrical design from the center of the torch outward. 

In addition to the seas and oceans the flame will cross, Paris' "backbone" the Seine and "waves, reliefs and vibrations" influenced the fluid forms that resemble the "Ocean Memories" series of surreal furnishings in his New York studio's portfolio. 

Finally, the soft curves, rounded edges and gold touches via the 2024 Games' blended Olympic/Paralympic logo are intended to convey generosity and peace to those who witness the relay.

"Our intention was to break away from past designs" which Lehanneur described as "vaselike" or typically featuring a larger diameter at the flame end in the last several Olympiads. 

Videos posted to the design firm's Instagram account show some of the wind tests and other engineering feats -- such as slicing one of the "flame slips" with a steel cutting device -- are impressive. 

"Form is the substance which rises to the surface," said one of the greatest French writers of all time. Of the Paris 2024 torch design, I think Victor Hugo would, and all of France should, be proud. 

Most photos via Paris 2024 press preview documents; Eiffel Tower reflection image by Piotr Jacqewski/Getty Images. 

We'll Always Have Paris

Like other five-ringed sports fans in the USA, today I woke up to the International Olympic Committee's news making it official: Tokyo 2020 will exclude overseas fans. 

After hitting snooze and a shower, two quotes came to mind. 

On the more desperate or depressed end of the spectrum, there's the classic lyrics by U2. 

Cue the iconic drum intro:

I can't believe the news today. Oh, I can't close my eyes and make it go away!

More optimistically, Rick Blaine's words on the Moroccan airport tarmac in "Casablanca" also came to mind. 

As of this post, there are just 1,223 days remaining until Paris 2024. 

For this blogger, of course it's a huge bummer that Tokyo 2020 won't be happening for most outside Japan. This Olympiad was to be one that made up for many mishaps -- some real, others perceived -- via Rio 2016. 

At the moment, London 2012 still has my vote for "best Games ever" though my first and hometown Olympics of Atlanta remain a close second and sentimental favorite of nearly 25 years, as detailed in the centerfold spread of the 2017 WHERE Guestbook. 

Amid the pandemic, it will be a remarkable feat for the Tokyo organizing committee to just get the athletes, coaches, officials and other Olympic family members assembled safely. For those who care to read it, the complete IOC statement is online, as are the words of the Tokyo 2020 organizing committee, with each link noting how additional updates for the Games will be shared in the weeks ahead. 

During a member event hosted by the U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Museum on Thursday, at least one former Team USA employee stated her Olympic media travel is secured though there will be a "bubble" for reporters akin to the one for athletes -- the thought of corralling journalists in this manner brings to mind notions of herding cats. 

In spite of today's news, I'm optimistic at least a handful of fans will find a backdoor entry to the Games of the XXXIInd Olympiad. For some, maybe they'll score a credential as part of a sponsor delegation or national Olympic committee gig. For others, maybe there's a family connection to Japan to be leveraged.  

For this writer, there's still a potential Olympic berth -- albeit a very long shot plus a vaccine shot -- via the Games media credential front. 

No stone will be left unturned, and I'm not yet ready to cancel my Tokyo accommodations, though it is reassuring they'll be fully refunded via Hotels.com should I eventually surrender to the inevitable. 

The Morohashi Museum of Modern Art -- a.k.a. the Salvador Dali Museum of Japan -- near Fukushima, as well as Nagoya, Mount Fuji and other destinations also remain on my travel wish list for Japan, even if an eventual visit takes place beyond 2021.

Speaking of refunds, designated Olympic ticket broker CoSport was quick to address today's official announcement, which provided some level of reassurance my ticket investment will be returned. As to when is anyone's guess -- paraphrasing another fan quoted by media, it had better be before the Opening Ceremony on July 23. 

I applaud the IOC, Tokyo 2020 and others for persevering over COVID-19 and keeping the Games on track for the athletes. It won't be the same, but then, what else is in this pandemic? Glad also to see the Olympic Torch Relay will resume in five days, which everyone may enjoy virtually.

Heavy doses of determination kept things on track for the athletes, and it will still be inspiring to witness Olympian feats this summer, no matter the room in which we are viewing. 

And don't forget: We'll always have Paris. 

Tokyo photos via Associated Press Kuchiro Sato and Clive Rose; Paris image via Olympic.org

Rio Olympic Cauldron = Poetry In Motion

I'm still learning about the new Rio Olympic Cauldron, which is on par with London's very original and creative design unveiled for years ago.

Local TV showed the designer's name and the public display of the cauldron now at Rio Olympic Boulevard, the astounding waterfront live site for the Games, but I was not yet able to capture the name to post here.

Wondering if the British design studio for 2012 (reported here) played a role for 2016 as well.

What I love most about the 2016 cauldron design is the first-ever mobile elements that, when leveraged theatrically last night, inspired a light show similar to the Lasershow Spectacular in Mountainvision at client Stone Mountain Park in Atlanta.

As the opening ceremony crowds poured out of Maracana stadium on Friday evening, I spotted an open gate from section 124 to the floor of the stadium.

So just like that Brazilian supermodel who crossed the stadium during "The Girl From Ipanema" segment, my friend Joanne and I transversed Maracana unfettered by security.

In fact, most of the security and volunteers were enjoying some exclusive "selfie time" with the Olympic flame (one joyous police officer even snapped a photo for me!).

Check out this video of the Rio Olympic Cauldron in motion and please share it with those you think may enjoy:

Photos and video by and copyright Nicholas Wolaver may not be reused without permission. 

Olympic Torch Lights Up Crowds at Ipanema

The last couple of days included my migration from Hotel Vermont to my AirBNB apartment around the corner from the Ipanema Metro station. 

I sort of hit my first "Olympic wall" of this Games on Wednesday afternoon, and trekking several blocks with 40 pounds of pins and all my luggage was no cake walk. 

But the apartment is beautiful, overlooking a favela neighborhood and sheer cliff surrounded by mountain forest. And I'm now just three blocks to USA House and steps away from grocery, transport, bars, restaurants and anything else needed.

While settling in last night the Olympic Torch Relay dashed through the neighborhood right outside, and it was awesome to see my eighth encounter with an Olympic flame.

Previously LA84 in Edmond, Okla., carrying the torch in 1996 in Oklahoma City, and glimpses of the relay for Salt Lake 2002, Athens 2004, Beijing 2008, Vancouver 2010 and Sochi 2014. 

The neighborhood was buzzing with fans and a crowd about three people deep on each sidewalk. Here's a video with the warm-up group getting folks pumped up.

I love the faces of the senior couple lighting up in anticipation of the relay. The students and local bar and shop owners also were out in force. A great time was had by all. 

Photos by Nicholas Wolaver

Want to Carry a 2018 Olympic Torch?

With just a few more weeks until the Rio 2016 Olympics of summer, a key milestone just passed -- with an open invitation to perhaps carry a torch -- in the countdown to the next Winter Olympiad.

In celebration of the 600 Days to Games mark on June 20, organizers for PyeongChang 2018 announced a global Torch Relay Idea Contest open to anyone and everyone worldwide. 

On the competition homepage, entrants find the following greeting:

"The PyeongChang 2018 Torch Relay will shine the light of the Olympic and Paralympic flames on Korea's hidden potential. Please share your ideas for the torch relay, including potential routes, torchbearers, modes of transport or ways to spread the word about the event. 

"We especially welcome ideas that highlight Korea's defining qualities -- passion, creativity, dynamism and uniqueness. Make sure your ideas are based on your personal stories and experiences."

Entrants are instructed to read a brief history of the Olympic torch relay tradition, then consider what type of entry (route, runners, transport, publicity) they wish to suggest. 

From what I can tell, individuals or teams of up to three people may enter.  

In case contributing to Olympic history isn't enough of an incentive, the most creative entries in adult and "students under twenty" (ages 14 to 20) categories may win a trip to Olympia, Greece, to see the start of the 2018 Olympic torch relay, tickets to Winter Olympic events, cash and/or merchandise. 

Though the trip to Greece is billed as the top prize, perhaps second prize is more extraordinary in that it includes a runner's segment as torchbearer. 

Winners will be chosen through three stages of evaluation including basic entry requirements, "expert" review and a public vote, presumably online and worldwide. Multiple entries are encouraged. The contest is open through August 12.

I love that video files or images are allowed to enhance the entries -- it will be fun to brainstorm some creative options from Atlanta and to see what folks around the world contribute. 

Personally hoping a truly new addition to the Olympic torch relay tradition will be created through this contest, which would be a great legacy for the Korean hosts staging their second-ever Olympiad and first Winter Games. 

For anyone on the fence about entering, keep in mind "the most important thing in the Olympic Games is not winning but taking part."

Images via PyeongChang 2018

A Non-Olympian "Thanks, Mom"

With a heavy heart I'm posting from Sochi with news my wonderful mother Betty entered hospice care in Oklahoma on Monday night. The news is surprising given her condition just two weeks ago was good. Writing in a fog.

 

Too many non-Games memories to share, but I will always love that Mom bought me the influential-to-seven-year-olds Lake Placid 1980 Olympic color book when I was in first grade, and she took my sister and I to the Los Angeles 1984 Olympic Torch Relay in Edmond, Okla., the fifth-grade summer event that launched my Olympic journeys.

 

In 1989 we volunteered together at U.S. Olympic Festival '89, and the following summer she drove me to the 6 a.m. flight to Minneapolis for my first paid Olympic gig at U.S. Olympic Festival '90 (setting the course for my college days in the Land of 10,000 Lakes). Neither of us knew that flight would be the first of hundreds for this traveler (hard to know who had more nervous excitement).

 

It was Mom who first told me the 1990 news Atlanta won the 1996 Olympics, setting another course for nine Olympiads of fun. On Mother's Day 1996 she held the "runner flag" to start my leg of the Atlanta Olympic Torch Relay. 

 

Before and since her diagnosis of Alzheimer's in 2008, she always supported my five-ringed dreams and every dream. In her determined fight to slow down her condition, we shared dozens of walks and talks -- the above photo from one hike at Lake Arcadia near Edmond -- and it was so fun to show her around D.C., Atlanta and Savannah in recent years. As she did through years of working hard as a self-employed parent (her seamstress business boomed during the 1980s and 1990s in support of my sister's and my dreams), she continued to smile and laugh through each step of her declining condition.

 

I love you, Mom. Thank you, Mom. I will be home to Oklahoma on Friday, the soonest airlines could arrange passage from Sochi. Prayers appreciated for Mom, my dad and sister at her side, and for many family members, friends and caregivers helping mom. Fingers crossed the journey home will get me there safely and in a timely manner.

 

The blog will resume in due time. Thank you for reading and for support.

 

Photos by Nicholas Wolaver

See You In Sochi In C Days

One hundred (a.k.a. C) days to Sochi hardly seems possible.

After a challenging year (still in progress) including elder care duties with family and many interesting freelance P.R. client projects, the pre-Games milestone for Russia's Winter Olympiad didn't exactly sneak up on me, but it does enforce some urgency to lock in travel details to get to the host city.

Plans are going alright, though at a Siberian glacial pace. Found a hotel for opening ceremonies eve (and booked it!), and soon my purchase of a state room aboard an Adler-docked cruise ship will be complete. That leaves the Super Bowl Sunday flight (via Frankfurt), ground transportation and a mobile device as the remaining "travel to do's" for Sochi. Happy to report I will be there.

Will you? Who among readers is going to Sochi, and what were the biggest surprises and challenges of your travel planning so far? (I might just send an Olympic blog pin to someone who posts an answer via comments.)

As was the case with Torino in 2006, my brain's been lukewarm to the whole lead up to Sochi. It's surprising the Olympic security story lines did not resonate more in media and conversations of recent months, trumped by the Russian law banter as the "controversy d'Olympiade" drummed with about the same six-months-out timing as human rights for Beijing, security for Athens, homeless rights for Vancouverites, etc.

The good news is that the global public discourse about Russia's policies may emerge as a positive turning point (five, 10 or 20 years from now, hopefully things will be better as a result of recent protests and such). Thank goodness the Games will go on sans boycott.

A few weeks ago I was fortunate enough to attend the Team USA Olympic Media Summit in Park City, Utah, to visit with many Sochi Olympic hopefuls and to learn about winter Olympic training underway at many venues across the USA and around the world.

During the next 100 days, I'll strive to post daily some of the athlete photos and stories learned at the Summit, and to delve into Sochi Olympic sponsor activation, observations on Olympic public relations (good or otherwise) and Olympic travel or Sochi Cultural Olympiad items in the news.

I'm most excited to witness the debut of women's Olympic ski jump and the combine male/female team events (ticket leads are appreciated).

The Sochi Olympic Torch Relay now underway is also very interesting as the largest single-nation relay in history, almost taking the flame to the moon and back (they reached the North Pole a few days ago, as I understand it, and the notion of the Torch aglow under the Northern Lights is inspiring).

What do you want to see and learn through this Olympic blog? Share via comments and I'll see what I can do.

C U in Sochi!

Screen grab image via OMEGA Watches; North Pole photo via Sochi.ru

Running Across Russia

Just the other day, organizers unveiled the massive route for the Sochi 2014 Olympic Torch Relay. It's impressive. By the numbers:

• Begins Oct. 7, 2013
• On the road 123 days
• Visiting 2,900 communities
• 14,000 torchbearers
• 65,000 km
• Within a one-hour drive of 130 million potential spectators (90 percent of Russian residents)
• 30,000 volunteers
• Three partners: Coca-Cola, Ingosstrakh Insurance Company and JSC Russian Railways Co.
• This is Coke's ninth Olympic torch relay as presenting sponsor
• According to published reports north of the border, the international space station is one stop on the 2014 Olympic torch relay route.

No word yet on the selection criteria to carry the Olympic torch, but I anticipate nomination process details will be unveiled very soon. Where will you be watching the 2014 Olympic flame?

Photo via Ivan Sekretarev/Associated Press

London 2012 Organizers Unveil "Goldfinger" Olympic Torch

If James Bond's nemesis Auric Goldfinger survived being sucked out of his personal aircraft, he'd be smiling at the new Olympic torch unveiled last week by LOCOG.

The gold-toned metal torch is already getting nicknames, and I'm here to add an Ian Fleming/007 connection (in case 1948 Olympic silver medalist Harold Sakata, a.k.a. "Oddjob," did not already connect London's Olympic heritage to the British secret agent).

London's celebration next year will include the three-sided -- you read it here first, I think -- "Goldfinger" Olympic torch to be carried across Greece and the U.K. starting May 19, 2012.

With details from the organizing committee press release, here's a bit more about the LOCOG Olympic torch by the numbers:

-- The design measures 800 cm long, weighs 800g and includes 8,000 perforations or rings symbolic of the 8K torchbearers who will use the torches to pass the flame

-- Approximately 110 runners per day will participate in the 70-day 2012 Olympic torch relay, maintaining the Olympic tradition and long-distance publicity event started in 1936

-- The three-sided design is symbolic of several Olympic triumvirates: "Citius, Altius, Fortius" (faster, higher, stronger, the Olympic motto), the three London Olympiads (1908, 1948, 2012) and Olympic values of respect, excellence and friendship. Though not spelled out in the LOCOG press release, the three-sides could also represent the three presenting sponsors of the 2012 Olympic torch relay: Coca-Cola, Samsung and Lloyds TSB.

-- The torch is made of an aluminum alloy (and Al is No. 13 on the periodic chart).

-- Sean Connery's age during the relay: 81 (please, oh, please, he'll carry the torch somewhere).

From my view, the London Olympic torch is a winner, and from a coolness factor, is closest in design to the 2006 Torino Olympic torch.

What do you think of the 2012 Olympic torch design?

Photos via LOCOG/Getty Images

Gov. Arnold and the Olympics: Together Again!

I heard from several sources today that California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger is going to be a 2010 Olympic torchbearer on Friday, Feb. 12, in Vancouver's famed Stanley Park.

This is a curious selection on a number of fronts, but I have to wonder if Schwarzenegger is getting some overdue payback for his past connection to the 1996 Atlanta Olympic Village.

If you read VANOC's "defense" of selecting Schwarzenegger, it does not appear VANOC CEO John Furlong has any idea about Arnold Schwarzenegger's Olympic connections from 13 years ago.

During the summer of 1996, Atlanta's Olympic Village was the site of the world premiere of Arnold's film "Eraser" -- as an Olympic Village employee that summer, it was my understanding that Olympian Willie Banks, the entertainment manager for the Village, secured this entertainment offering that was screened with thousands of athletes viewing a big screen on the field at Georgia Tech's Bobby Dodd Stadium.

As a witness to Arnold's arrival and speech to the athletes (with "Eraser" co-star Vanessa Williams), it was surprising to learn (and I am certain those in attendance on Friday in Vancouver will concur) that Schwarzenegger is shorter than he appears in most of his films (at the moment, I don't believe sources that report Arnold at more than six feet tall). But he did share some inspiring remarks with the Olympians, who were thrilled to see him in person (it was pretty darn cool that he made time to meet the athletes that summer). Of course,

Schwarzenegger stated at the event, "I'll be back" -- maybe even then he knew something regarding planned or offered torchbearer activation?

"Eraser" turned out to be an utterly forgettable film, but it is remotely possible the IOC or other Olympic Torch Relay officials recalled Arnold's past Olympic ties and presented the honor of torchbearer duties to Mr. Olympia (oh, yeah, there's that Olympic connection, too).

Hopefully the only "juice" Schwarzenegger will take (for carrying the torch) will be some product from Atlanta's hometown beverage bottler (which happens to be a co-presenter of the Olympic Torch Relay).

See you at Stanley Park!

Photo via the Globe And Mail and Associated Press

Get On The Bus

Live, from Victoria, B.C., it's ... the 2010 Olympic Torch Relay!

With thanks to my colleague Shari Burnett, the photo with this post is from behind the scenes at this morning's arrival of the Olympic Flame from Greece to the Province of British Columbia.

Looks like the torchbearer process is similar in 2010 to that of 1996 (and Olympic torch relays since). The runners in the photo are lined up in uniform before boarding their shuttle to be dropped at their designated spots for running duty.

Go, Victoria! Go, Canada!

Photo courtesy Shari Burnett of Edelman Vancouver

A Path of Northern Lights

The chilled nights of autumn inspire thoughts of how to keep warm. One method for consideration: Checking out the info for the 2010 Winter Olympic Torch Relay set to begin in Olympia, Greece, less than one year from now.

According to the VANOC website, the relay will involve 12,000 runners across Canada, blazing "A Path of Northern Lights" along the massive route (I'm struggling to convert the 35,000 km to South of the border figures, but it will take three months to complete the journey).

I'm diggin' the Lynda Carter-like female illustration incorporated with the Vancouver 2010 "Look of the Games" on the website. Makes me ponder, "What would Wonder Woman look like wearing a red suit covered with maple leaves rather than the Stars and Stripes?"

Fueling Olympic Families

It's been barely a month since saying goodbye to B.C. Canada Pavilion in Beijing, my Edelman Olympic assignment during the months leading to and during the 2008 Games.

But after spending a month with dozens of Canadians day and night, night and day, I can't help but keep an eye on news from the Great White North on all things Olympic (and other news, such as this Canadian newspaper blog asking whether Sarah Palin's ever visits Alaska's eastern neighbor with which her state shares a 1,538-mile border -- posing an interesting question about Palin's so-called international relations experience).

So this week, when an Edelman colleague mentioned our firm's work with Petro-Canada, it was fun to read about the company's new initiative to help the families of Canada's Olympians and Paralympians travel to the 2010 Winter Olympic Games in British Columbia in just 495 days from today.

The program -- Petro-Canada's Canadian Athlete Family Program -- will help 500 athletes' family members see their loved ones compete live at the Vancouver 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games (in the interest of disclosure, Edelman also works on a pro-bono basis with the International Paralympic Committee).

This was not the first time I heard about Petro-Canada's support of the Olympic Movement.

Back in 1988, the only way to experience the Calgary Winter Olympics was via ABC Sports' broadcasts live from Alberta (including the spectacular daytime Opening Ceremony live on the day before Valentine's Day, which won't soon be forgotten as it was nearly 80 degrees Fahrenheit -- in February -- where I lived in Oklahoma at the time).

But back to Petro-Canada.

As a souvenir of that marathon TV watching experience, and for the sake of learning more about Olympic torch relays, sometime around 1995 a garage sale yielded a copy of the book "Share The Flame: The Official Retrospective Book of the Olympic Torch Relay" presented by none other than Petro-Canada. It's a book filled with great photos and personal stories of how they got the flame across Canada, and a great companion piece to a similar book published after the 1996 Atlanta Games. By today's standards, this was an old-school Torch Relay (and one of the best, thanks to the support of Petro-Canada.

Earlier this year I also read about the company's Totem Pole Legacy Project, which is so cool, and in Torino in 2006 the Petro-Canada pin was one of the most popular on my lanyard.

Now if we could just get some of their fuel stations down here south of the border (where I've been walking to work on-again-off-again the last two weeks since the gas stations are out of fuel to sell), we'd be all set, eh?