The Rick Hansen 25th Anniversary Relay made its way through Olds last Wednesday afternoon.
As the medal-bearers walked, ran or cycled from Olds High School to uptown Olds, residents lined up on Main Street with banners to encourage them.
“The medal-bearers have all been nominated in their communities or they have entered online contests because they are people that are committed to making a difference in their community, whether it is making things more inclusive, more accessible, or just all-around healthier,” said Jeremy Fish, Rick Hansen Relay coordinator.
The event concluded for the day when last medal-bearer Karen Mengersen arrived at the Cow Palace, to the cheers and applause of the crowd.
“It was just a very exciting, special honour to do this today,” said Mengersen, who is the Olds Special Olympics chair.
“It was just so awesome to see the other people that were involved and to have all the Special Olympics athletes come out and my grandchildren were there. It was awesome.”
Fish presented Mayor Judy Dahl with a Rick Hansen Relay replica medal to Olds.
“I am so excited that the Town of Olds, on behalf of the 25th anniversary of the Rick Hansen Relay, received a medal,” said Dahl.
“It says difference-maker. I am so excited with the community spirit here today.”
The relay continued on Thursday, with the medal leaving Olds Elementary School to go to Bowden.
Shawna Cevraini was the last Olds resident to carry the medal.
“It was really fun, it was such a great experience to see everybody there and having the elementary school kids cheering us on,” she said.
“My family got to go with me, from when I received the medal. I got to pass it on to one of the endurance athletes, which was really cool.”
The relay started on Aug. 24 in Cape Spear, Nfld., and will reach its Vancouver on May 22 – exactly 25 years after Hansen ended his Man in Motion tour.
“It has been a really great experience so far. The relay really is a nationwide celebration that is anchored by some grassroots community celebrations,” said Fish.
“We have established some great partnerships in all the communities across the country. We have had some really great support from the cities in organizing the events.”
The relay's goal is to raise awareness, not funds.
“It is to tell people that there are some inspiring people all around this country,” said Fish.
“We wanted them to be recognized, in the spirit of celebrating 25 years since Rick Hansen's original Man in Motion world tour.”
The relay will have had 7,000 medal bearers, with Rick Hansen among the numbers. Unfortunately, Hansen cannot be present at every stop.
“He comes out when possible, usually in a capital city,” said Fish.
The Rick Hansen Relay will be in Alberta until March 19.
