As I was about to cross the intersection of Burnhamthorpe and Cawthra in Mississauga on a Saturday morning in what felt like -11 degrees Celsius, I found the road blocked, in anticipation of welcoming Olympic torch. As the roads were blocked, drivers behind my vehicle started getting out of cars to take pictures of the approaching torch bearer.
People waiting to welcome Olympic torch
Athlete in Action in Mississauga
Indian Dancers from Lata Pada’s Dance Academy performed on “Jay ho”
For once, I said, what the heck..let me go and take a few pictures rather than just be shy of standing on the road side and cheer this prestigious procession. After a few minutes the Olympic-sign-bearing trucks passed and the cars got going. But there were still a few people following the Olympic truck on foot. I followed the Olympic team in my car to Royal Princess Drive and Living Arts Centre Drive. The enthusiasm among people made a sight worth seeing and not to be clichéd but historical in the sense of witnessing the history.
- Mayor Hazel McCallion with the Honourable Peter Fonseca, MP Bob Dechert, MPP Charles Sousa, MP Navdeep Bains, MPP Amrit Mangat, MP Albina Guarneri, MP Pual Pzabo & MP Gurbax Malhi
The place was packed with people with an athlete presenting a marvelous feat. It was followed by performers from Lata Pada’s Dance Academy who performed to a couple of Indian songs. I had assumed that Desis do not become part of the occasions like welcoming Olympics torch, however I was very seriously mistaken in my assumption. At this gathering there were women with hijab, women in shalwar kameez, men carrying their kids on their shoulders for a better view of our athletes and performers. The diversity at its best was at display in Mississauga.
Before the crowd could freeze in cold, mayor of Mississauga, Her Worship Hazel McCallion appeared in Olympic costume. As the other elected representatives of Mississauga took to the stage, the torch bearer Ms. Cheryl Pounder brought forth the torch amid the crowd.
Olympic hockey gold medalist Cheryl Punder with Mayor McCallion, the Honourable Peter Fonseca & MPP Bob Delaney
Cheryl Pounder was born in Montreal into a family of hockey enthusiasts: A grandfather, who was GM of the Montreal Junior Canadiens, and her hockey-playing older brothers. The rink in the family’s backyard also helped to set her on the path to excel at Canada’s national sport. Upon moving to Mississauga, Ontario, she achieved the status of athlete of the year at both her high school and Wilfred Laurier University, where she earned an honours degree in Kinesiology.
She has played on Canada’s 1994, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2004 and 2005 (All-Star Defenseman) World Championship Hockey teams and was voted the top defenceman at the 2002, 2004, 2007 and MVP at the 2005 Canadian Women’s Hockey National Championship.
Pounder’s greatest career accomplishments are represented by her two Olympic Gold Medals in Salt Lake City and Torino.
With tears in her eyes, Ms. Pounder told the crowd that carrying the torch “is very very emotional.” MP Bob Dechert greeted the Olympic torch flame to Mississauga on behalf of his federal colleagues. The Honourable Minister of Labour, Peter Fonseca told the crowd that the highlight of the event was today’s gathering where people had gathered to welcome Olympics torch.
Mayor McCallion is indeed “Hurricane Hazel.” Her voice roared as always. There was no sign of how the recent scandal has or has not affected her. Among the other elected provincial and federal legislators, she was the most recognized and the most cheered one by the crowd.
Multicultural Crowd greeting Olympic torch
And what she said was remarkable too. She said we need young people to participate in Olympics. Citing Ms. Cheryl Pounder, she told the crowd “we need more gold medalists” from Canada whether the Olympics is held in Canada or elsewhere.
And the crowd, of course, agreed. We do need athletes that represent Canada’s diversity and athletes who can bring gold medal to Canada.
Author: Saptarsi Saha
