By Marianne Jensen
On Nov. 19, 2001, the Olympic torch began its journey from Olympia, Greece, linking today”s world to the ancient world where the Olympics began.
The torch, after traveling more than 13,500 miles by foot, plane, train, ship, dog sled, horse-drawn sleigh and snowmobile, will arrive in Utah today.
“I”m overwhelmed. It brings tears to my eyes. I never imagined I”d have the opportunity to live in a city that the Olympics are held and get to carry the torch,” said Colonel Donald Andrews, a torchbearer from Provo.
Ancient Roman citizens believed a burning torch would bring victory during war and prosperity to the empire – as long as it continued to burn.
“Sacred torches were not uncommon in the old world,” said Eric Huntsman, assistant professor of classics and ancient history.
In 1934, Carl Diem invented the modern Olympic Torch Relay and the International Olympic Committee implemented it as part of the Games.
Today the torch”s symbolism can mean something different to everyone.
“Modern people likely created new symbolism through a culmination of a number of myths,” Huntsman said.
Heather Sandberg, 21, a junior from Provo majoring in elementary education, was chosen to carry the flame for her service with BYUSA and for working with students with disabilities.
“The torch represents something that unites all humankind. It burns within each of us, but it symbolizes the individual coming together with the whole world,” she said.
When the Olympics began in 776 B.C., Greece was divided into individual city-states. The Olympic Games celebrated Pan-Hellenism, the idea that Grecians shared more in common than they thought, Huntsman said.
“Festivals, like the Olympics, made them come together and consider themselves Greek,” he said.
Andrews, retired head of the BYU ROTC department, was chosen to carry the flame because of a distinguished career in the military. He will be running the torch north from 300 North and 600 East for two blocks.
“The torch symbolizes the Olympic ideal of peace, and laying down arms to come together,” he said.
The Ancient Greeks sent runners, known as Heralds of Peace, to call for a sacred truce before the Olympics began. Warring states stopped fighting so Grecians could travel to Olympia in peace, Huntsman said.
Kevin Scholz, a part-time BYU visual arts professor, was chosen to carry the torch for his service to Utah”s veterans. He will relay the flame from Frontier Pies to Red Lobster.
“The torch represents the highest in human aspiration, and the purity of human beings striving to be the best they can be,” he said.
According to the Web site of the Foundation for the Hellenic World, a non-profit cultural institution that studies Hellenic history, ancient Greek athletes were not only celebrated for athletic achievements, but also for moral strength.
Success was attributed to an athlete”s favor with the gods.
“Ancient victors were honored. The cities wouldn”t feel the need for a city wall because they had an Olympic victor,” Huntsman said.
Arthur Welch, a torchbearer from Mapleton, Utah County, was nominated to carry the torch because of his lifelong dedication to education. He will relay the flame from 900 East and Center Street up to the Peaks Arena.
“The torch symbolizes the humanity and the relationship with one another, and the opportunity to light the way for our fellow man,” Welch said.
By the time the torch reaches Salt Lake City, 11,500 torchbearers will have passed on Greek tradition to America.
“I look at myself as someone that is transporting history. The torch is the history. I just have the opportunity to carry it,” Andrews said.
