Throughout the all the events during the days leading up and after my actual Torch Relay run, I was very fortunate to meet and share my experience with so many extraordinary people. It was a great privilege and with the highest honor that I carried the Olympic Flame and with the most esteemed respect that I tried to share the symbolism and spirit of the Olympic movement with all those who were a part of the Salt Lake 2002 Olympic Torch Relay.

Participating in all the events that were part of my Torch Relay experience was the most spectacular, humbling, spiritual, emotionally uplifting and awesome thing I've ever been part of in my life. The flame within me continues to blaze bright with many vivid images and memories that I will always treasure. As I tracked the Torch making its way to Salt Lake, the beauty of the event was the overwhelming support of the American people- torchbearers, families, friends, businesses, and communities all rallied together to unite our nation.

Brief History of the Olympic Torch

Throughout history, the Olympic Torch has always served to bring together and unite people from different cultures and nations. In ancient Greece, the Olympic Torch was carried throughout the land to announce a truce of any warfare and to call athletes to Olympia, Greece where the Olympic Games began. To this day, the torch remains an international symbol of peace and unity through sport.

The Olympic Flame began its journey in Greece after a simple yet elegant ceremony and then traveled via chartered aircraft to Atlanta, Georgia, site of the 1996 Olympic Games. On December 4th, the Olympic flame it began a 65-day and 13,500-mile journey across 46 states to the Olympic Cauldron in Salt Lake City.

click here for large view of map

Salt Lake 2002 - Olympic Torch

The torch's design is inspired by the concept of fire and ice. A beautifully sculpted and crafted work of art made of metal and glass, the torch is shaped to resemble an icicle. At the top is a carved glass crown with a copper inset fuel jet that when unlit represents the flame - a silver tip and midsection are textured to suggest frozen flames. The top 2/3 of the torch is sculpted with rough metal that represents the untamed west and has the Salt Lake 2002 Winter Olympics seal. The bottom 1/3 is crafted of shiny metal representing the untouched future. The metals merge together representing the strength of joining the past and the future. Each torch is uniquely crafted and engraved with the Salt Lake 2002 crystal emblem and the words"Light the Fire Within TM" -- theme of the Salt Lake 2002 Olympic Winter Games.

The Salt Lake 2002 Olympic torch relay serves as a brilliant reminder of the power of hopes and dreams.

"As the Olympic flame journeys throughout America, our intentions is that it will serve as a catalyst, motivating individuals to strive for excellence and achievement in their lives, effecting positive change in their own communities and ultimately the world."

--Salt Lake 2002 President and CEO Mitt Romney

In early September, I received a letter from Chevrolet, one of the major corporate sponsors informing me that I had been nominated to be Salt Lake 2002 Olympic Torchbearer because I had inspired and embodied Olympic ideals. I was very flattered by the nomination and initially didn't know what to expect. At the time, I didn't even know who had nominated me.

It wasn't until later that I found out my dear friend Patricia Welk submitted the written essay based on an advertisement she had seen from Chevrolet requesting nominations of people to carry the Olympic torch-with the criteria being to highlight the qualities of someone who had served as an inspiration. Patricia is one of my students in the Massanutten Adaptive Ski School. A paraplegic as a result of a tragic accident in her youth, she has worked hard to become an accomplished mono-skier (specially designed sit ski with shock absorber - kept upright with the use of torso balance and hand held outriggers).

Patricia submitted a 100 word essay expounding in part on the importance of my work as founder and director of Massanutten Adaptive Snow Sports. I tried to dismiss the reality of the nomination so as to not have any unrealistic expectations. Let's keep things in perspective; what is most important is that my approach to teaching and to life has served to inspire my student. I was and continue to be deeply moved by the gesture of affirmation in the eyes and heart of one of my dear friends.

It was not until I received my torchbearer uniform that everything seemed official. Shortly thereafter, I was invited to a Torchbearer reception up in Northern Virginia. My 11 y/o son, Zach and Patricia accompanied me to the event. At registration, I received a program that had a listing of all the Virginia Torchbearers, guest speakers, and other logistics information. Opening the booklet, my eyes were drawn immediately to the names of the torchbearers, one in particular-Toney Lineberry. Toney is a dear friend who has certainly had an important impact on my life. For many years, he participated in a number of therapeutic adventures with me - sailing, camping, snow skiing. He was the first quadriplegic sit skier in the state of Virginia. A recent graduate of UVA Law School, he is one of the most inspiring people I have had the privilege to work with and get to know. I was so excited to be sharing the Torch Relay experience with him and his family. Toney was scheduled to carry the torch in Leesburg, VA. I was to carry the torch an hour and a half after him in Falls Church, VA.

My colleagues at work, students, many friends in the community and my family offered kind words of encouragement and support. As my day to run quickly approached, I found myself getting increasingly overwhelmed by my body's physiologic response to emotions of pride, honor, privilege, civic and national responsibility.

Throughout this experience, I met many phenomenal people. Beth Scott, a blind swimmer who won several Gold and Silver medals for the United States in the Para Olympics briefly spoke at a reception about the important family and community support she received as an athlete, thus enabling her to achieve success. Beth shared the experience of winning a gold medal from Sydney, Australia Summer Olympic Games with me, Pat, and my son, Zach. Very Cool! Very Inspiring!

On Monday, 12/17 I received a call from Salt Lake inviting me and one guest to the White House for a Torch Relay reception on Saturday morning 12/22. My supportive family all unanimously agreed that Patricia should be my guest as she was the one who nominated me. I called Patricia to inform her of the invitation. We had to submit information to get security clearance. We were instructed to report to the East gate of the White House at 6:30am on 12/22. Patricia asked, "What do I wear to the White House?" "You can wear what you want; I'm going to wear a sweat suit. I've been instructed to wear the Torch Relay uniform."

The day before my scheduled run, I received an e-mail from a friend in Northern, VA informing me that her daughter was scheduled to be a support runner in Fall Church. Lindsay O'Bannon, a 16 y/o HS student was nominated and selected to be a support runner. Support runners are individuals who because of their disciplined approach to academics, sports and civic responsibility are the good role models and leaders of the future. They accompany torchbearers in the event that assistance is required. I hoped that I would get to share the experience with Lindsay.

The morning of my scheduled torch run, needless to say, I was very nervous. My wife, Teresa, my two boys Caleb and Zach and Patricia were there to cheer me on. My heart was pounding like it had never done before. It seemed to be beating even louder and faster than when I ran competitively and I wasn't even doing anything. Torchbearers were registered, debriefed and instructed about the details of how everything would take place (drop off, exchange of the flame, pick-up). While riding in the Torch Relay caravan, each of the torchbearers shared brief information about who had nominated them. I was sitting next to and talking with Kevin Brown, the torchbearer who would pass the flame to me. Immediately we connected. I quickly discovered that Kevin was also a former UVA graduate. Even more ironic was that his wife, Eileen was a former volunteer at Madison House, the student volunteer center at UVA where I work. Too cool! Kevin was blind due to disorder that caused the progressive loss of his sight. We talked and shared stories as we prepared for our leg of the torch relay. My mind was racing as fast as my heart. I found myself thinking about my Teresa, Caleb and Zach, my family, Patricia, my many adaptive students, and my friends. Someone sent a box of Kleenex around the van. Everyone was stuffing it in their gloves.

The Torch Relay caravan started its journey. As each torchbearer was dropped off at their exchange point, everyone wished them good luck and cheered. Out came the Kleenex to wipe the tears. It was the most emotional and honorable experience I had ever been a part of in my life. Shortly thereafter they called my number - 20. I departed the van to my exchange zone. Kevin made his way to the exchange zone where he would pass the flame to me. A Sheriff on a motorcycle stopped to shake my hand and wish me well. Then another motorcycle pulled up - the guy pulled out a tool to turn on the fuel in my torch. I cheered and called out to Kevin as he ran the final section of his leg of the relay. He stopped and extended his torch; I reached out and ignited my torch. Overcome by the moment, Kevin and I briefly embraced each other and exchanged words of encouragement. As I turned and saw Teresa, Caleb and Zach cheering; I had to hold back the tears of joy I was feeling. I was so happy to be sharing the experience with them. With each step, I found myself thinking about my family and all my students who were an inspiration to me - the people who give me the energy and strength to do the work I do. Flags were waving; the streets were lined with people cheering "GOD BLESS AMERICA" "U.S.A. U.S.A. . . ." I wanted to share the experience with Lindsay, my support runner, so I took hold of her right hand and we ran briefly with our hands held high. In the final stretch of my run, I saw Patricia taking pictures and cheering. It was more than AWESOME! Words can't adequately explain or begin to capture all the emotion I was feeling.

After my leg of the Torch Relay, a Chevrolet van picked me up and we continued on the route as the Torch Relay Caravan made its way through Falls Church. The streets were lined with school children, business people and other locals cheering on the torchbearers. In the van a notebook was passed around to each of the torchbearers to write a reflection piece about the experience. Water and Coca Cola was given to the runners. After all the torchbearers from our section completed the run, the van transported us back to the starting point so that we could be rejoined with family and friends.

At a reception in Old Town Alexandria that followed my run, complete strangers would come up and ask to have their picture taken with me. Several people asked if they could touch the torch, hold it, and have their picture taken with my torch. I have never experienced anything like it. The Olympic Spirit and Patriotism was phenomenal!

On Saturday, 12/22 at 4:30 AM, Patricia and I found our way from Baltimore, MD to DC, 1600 Pennsylvania Ave. - the White House. The streets of DC were relatively empty, but lit up with holiday lights. After going through security, we entered the East wing of the White House. I wanted to give the President a Christmas gift representative of Madison House and the Massanutten Adaptive Ski School, however, gifts were not allowed. After taking some pictures of one of the White House Christmas trees and waiting in an East Wing hallway, we went out to the South Lawn. We had second row seats.

President Bush came out sporting a cowboy hat and long black coat. He waved to all the guests. Shortly thereafter, the Torch was run up the East side of the White House grounds by Elizabeth Howell who lost her husband in the 9/11 Pentagon tragedy. She gave the torch to President Bush who then lit the copper Salt Lake 2002 Cauldron.

President Bush thanked us all and encouraged us to continue the work we were doing. He then delivered a very inspirational message about the strength and resolve of our nation, about the importance of the Olympics, and about the values and convictions of the American people that make our nation great. Again, it was time to hold back the tears. The emotion that surrounded me was not like anything I had ever experienced.

The Olympic Song - "Light the Flame Within" was passionately sung by a soloist with the accompaniment of a chore. The flame was passed from the cauldron to another torch carried by Eric Jones, a George Washington University student who saved the Marine Flag at the Pentagon and then continued his volunteer service at the Pentagon and in NY. The cauldron was extinguished and the flame departed from the White House en route to Salt Lake.

With heartfelt thanks, I share these thoughts with the many family, friends, and businesses that have supported me throughout this entire experience. I am most grateful for your written and spoken words of encouragement and support. May the Flame that is symbolic of the Olympic Spirit burn bright within you!

Below is the profile that was contained in the Chevrolet Torchbearer Relay website:

Torchbearer: Mark Andrews
Hometown: Charlottesville, VA
Age: 45
Nominator: Patricia Welk, friend and student

During the day, Mark Andrews works as associate director of Madison House, the University of Virginia's student volunteer center. He advises and provides leadership training to 145 college student leaders who in turn manage 3,000 student volunteers providing services in 15 different programs at 60 community partner sites in Albemarle County, Virginia.

His "other" job is founder and director of Massanutten Adaptive Snow Sports, where he adapts equipment to allow the physically and mentally challenged to ski alongside those without disabilities. He has also coached athletes who have competed in Special Olympics, the Cerebral Palsy Games and the Virginia Association of Blind Athletes at the national championship level. He is an award-winning ski patroller listed in "Who's Who in Rehabilitation" and a member of the Professional Ski Instructors of America.

Through his work over the last two decades he has been an inspiration and a passionate advocate for the mentally and physically challenged, touching thousands of lives. One of those is Pat Welk, a friend and one of his students in the Adaptive Ski Program. She is a paraplegic who has become an accomplished monoskier (specialized sit ski).

In Patricia's words:
He inspires, challenges and puts smiles on the faces of children and adults. Be they blind, amputee, paralyzed or mentally challenged, they are in for the time of their lives and have Mark to thank for it.

Patricia, is a paraplegic and an accomplished Mono-skier who Welk submitted the nomination based on an advertisement she had seen from Chevrolet requesting nominations of people who had served as an inspiration. Pat submitted a 100 word essay highlighting in part the importance of my work as founder and director of Massanutten Adaptive Snow Sports.