Olympic torch makes its only U.S. appearance in Blaine
BLAINE, Wash. -- With just days to go before the start of the 2010 Winter Games, the Olympic torch made its first and only visit to the United States Tuesday morning.
Thousands gathered in Peace Arch Park at the U.S-Canadian border, waving U.S. and Canadian flags, to watch the Olympic torch relay in its home stretch.
A children's choir from nearby White Rock, B.C., sang the U.S. and Canadian anthems.
"It's just pretty cool that both sides can come together and just share this event together," said Blaine resident Erik Magnusson.
On Semiahmoo first nation land, under the Peach Arch's symbol of unity between nations passed another symbol of unity world-wide.
"We celebrate a flame that reminds us of what we can accomplish when we work together," said British Columbia Premiere Gordon Campbell.
Former Olympian Phil Mahre carried the torch for the United States at Tuesday's ceremony. The Yakima native medaled in the 1980 Winter Olympics at Lake Placid and the 1984 Winter Olympics in Sarajevo. He knows all too well that the games are about more than competition.
"The Olympic spirit is really about that," he said. "It's about unity and camaraderie and peace."
And it's clear the Olympic fever has struck everyone.
"If Apollo (Ohno) brings home the gold, I'll wear his (soul) patch," Gov. Chris Gregoire said.
A Canadian runner carried the torch back into British Columbia where the games begin Friday at Vancouver.
Thousands gathered in Peace Arch Park at the U.S-Canadian border, waving U.S. and Canadian flags, to watch the Olympic torch relay in its home stretch.
A children's choir from nearby White Rock, B.C., sang the U.S. and Canadian anthems.
"It's just pretty cool that both sides can come together and just share this event together," said Blaine resident Erik Magnusson.
On Semiahmoo first nation land, under the Peach Arch's symbol of unity between nations passed another symbol of unity world-wide.
"We celebrate a flame that reminds us of what we can accomplish when we work together," said British Columbia Premiere Gordon Campbell.
Former Olympian Phil Mahre carried the torch for the United States at Tuesday's ceremony. The Yakima native medaled in the 1980 Winter Olympics at Lake Placid and the 1984 Winter Olympics in Sarajevo. He knows all too well that the games are about more than competition.
"The Olympic spirit is really about that," he said. "It's about unity and camaraderie and peace."
And it's clear the Olympic fever has struck everyone.
"If Apollo (Ohno) brings home the gold, I'll wear his (soul) patch," Gov. Chris Gregoire said.
A Canadian runner carried the torch back into British Columbia where the games begin Friday at Vancouver.