Belledune man remembers '87 torch run

The running of the 2010 Winter Olympic torch through the area will bring back memories for one Belledune man.

It was 22 years ago when Bernard (Bunny) Russell of Belledune was chosen to be one of the lucky 6,500 people to participate in the carrying of the Olympics, held in Calgary in 1988. There were 6.6 million applications to take part in this undertaking. This historic journey began on Nov. 17, 1987 in Calgary. The torch was taken to St. John's NL, the start of the XV Olympic Torch Cross-Country Relay.

Russell had to travel to Cabano, Que. from his home in Jacquet River (now part of Belledune) in an ice storm. He had get to Cabano in order to participate as this was the way names were drawn for relay runners. If he was not present in Cabano, he could not be chosen.

Russell was given a beautiful Olympic track suit and toque in Cabono. He started his one kilometre run in bitter cold, windy, wet weather in Cabano, Dec. 1, 1987.

Accompanying him was his wife Patsy and their two children Curtis, 5, and Melissa 10. Patsy's sister also made the trip to Cabano. Even though the children were young, they well remember their father carrying the Olympic torch with pride. They too touched the torch.