Vancouver 2010 Olympic Torch Run

21 year CRA veteran Tom McCauley has a passion for sports collecting--over 400 jerseys, 500 hockey pucks, thousands of sports cards, autographed footballs, baseballs and photographs. Tom added to his collection on Tuesday November 24, 2009 at 4:22pm when he proudly wore the Olympic Torchbearer uniform, toque and red mittens as he ran on the Old Hampton Highway from the CIBC plaza to the Rothesay Arena.

Tom’s interest in carrying the torch began in Saint John in December of 1987 when he watched the 1988 Calgary Olympics Torch being paraded down King Street. VANOC’s video of past torch runners like Muhammad Ali, and their emotions as Torchbearers “would make you cry. Carrying the torch is the chance of a lifetime; wearing the Olympic rings on the back of your jacket is almost mythical in the sense of unity it brings to the country”, says the self proclaimed ‘Canada’s Greatest Living Patriot’.

Tom’s Torchbearer journey was lengthy, a four and a half month ordeal applying to the run sponsors, answering daily questions, writing a 220 word essay on his struggle with type 2 Diabetes and completing a 17 page legal document while passing an RCMP security check. Perseverance or what!

Colleagues at the CRA Call Site in Saint John have been more than supportive, asking “can we watch your run?” or “how were you able to be included?” AD Joelle Smith made arrangements to cover agents while they watched Tom in the spotlight.

All of the Torchbearers are being videotaped by VANOC and the prospect of a video remembrance is almost as exciting as the fact that Tom has actually purchased the Torch he carried for a permanent and tangible reminder of this momentous occasion and a special addition to his growing collection.

Philip McGarvey