Dozens of heroes in the Sept. 11 tragedy, some of whom may still be picking through World Trade Center rubble, will take part in the Olympic torch relay.
The Salt Lake Organizing Committee will reserve 100 torchbearer slots for "champions of greatness" who came to the rescue "in America's greatest hour of need," SLOC President Mitt Romney said Thursday. In addition, commemorative events will be held in New York City, Washington, D.C., and Pennsylvania when the torch passes through those areas.
"We believe the Olympic torch relay has a deeper sense of meaning after the events of Sept. 11," he said. "Now more than ever, the relay will be a celebration of humanity and civilization, and all 11,500 torchbearers will represent the best of our nation."
SLOC revealed the names of some 7,200 people, including 450 Utahns, who will carry the Olympic flame on its 65-day, 13,500-mile journey from Atlanta to Salt Lake City. (Olympic organizations and sponsors will choose another 4,300 torchbearers, including 450 more Utahns, in the coming weeks.) The upbeat yet touching event that drew hundreds to the state Capitol front steps highlighted the struggles and triumphs of everyday people, leaving many in tears.
"This is an inspiring group," Romney said after the Utah torchbearers gathered around him for a photo. "These people are heroes and champions on their own. They are of the same spirit and of the same cloth as the heroes in New York, Washington and Pennsylvania."
The announcement was originally scheduled for Sept. 12 in New York City's Battery Park, not far from what is now commonly called "Ground Zero."
Utah celebrity torchbearers Thursday as well as Gov. Mike Leavitt and Salt Lake Mayor Rocky Anderson were in a New York state of mind.
"Light the fires within is a beautiful theme for this year's Games, especially in view of the darkness we've all had to witness the past few weeks," said actress Roma Downey.
Joining Downey on the stage were former NFL quarterback Steve Young and retired Brigham Young University football coach LaVell Edwards.
Saying each torchbearer has a "remarkable" story, Young called the flame relay a "mosaic of America."
"The light doesn't just go on for each person" he said. "It's cumulative" as it ignites the cauldron in Rice-Eccles Stadium for the opening ceremonies Feb. 8.
Edwards said the terrorist attacks "brought a whole new meaning to what life is all about, what freedom is all about and what this whole (Olympic) movement is all about."
SLOC brought in torchbearers from the East Coast for the event.
Melissa Merson, of Arlington, Va., will run in place of her father, who died after she nominated him last May. Leo Merson gave up his chance to play basketball in the 1936 Olympics to honor the boycott of Nazi Germany.
"For all of us in New York and Washington, this torch will be an amazing, uplifting experience," she said.
Ed and Cathy Gerbe live in Garden City Park, N.Y., about 25 miles from downtown Manhattan. Ed Gerbe nominated his wife to carry the torch because she held their family together after their son was stricken with cancer.
"She was the rock of our family," he said wearing an FDNY cap he received from some firefighter friends.
Cathy Gerbe, a physical therapist, said the Olympic flame will "bring back some hope and some faith and some prayers, and let the light shine bright for a change in New York."
For a complete list of torchbearers announced thus far, go to (https://secure.saltlake2002.com/torch/press.html)
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