2002 Olympic Torch Relay Arrives in Arlington on December 12

by Cheryel Carpenter
December 07, 2001

Bound for Salt Lake City, Utah, the 2002 Olympic Torch will travel through Arlington on Wednesday, December 12. Organizers say the torch is scheduled to arrive at The Ballpark in Arlington at approximately 11:30 a.m.

Olympic festivities begin at The Ballpark at 10:30 a.m. Spectators are invited to enjoy events and refreshments, which are compliments of the Coca-Cola Bottling Company of North Texas, Chevrolet and the Texas Rangers Baseball Club. Proceeds from Coca-Cola products will benefit Big Brothers and Big Sisters of Arlington.

Waiting to greet the Olympic flame from Fort Worth will be Arlington Mayor Pro Tem Wayne Ogle, members of the Texas Rangers Baseball Club, and a host of other city leaders. The event will also feature Arlington residents selected as torchbearers from community judging panels.

About 60 relay participants will carry the three-pound torch 0.2 miles. The Arlington journey begins with a brief ceremony at The Ballpark Home Plate entrance. (For a journey of the torch through Arlington, please see the attached map.)

From the Ballpark In Arlington, the torch will travel south on Nolan Ryan Expressway, east on Randol Mill Road, north on Ballpark Way to Lamar Blvd. It will travel west on Lamar to Fielder Road and proceed south on Fielder and east on Randol Mill. The torch travels south on Center Street, west on Main Street, south on West Street, east on UTA Blvd., north on Pecan Street and east on Abram Street to the General Motors Production Facility for a 15-minute break. At the GM facility, the torch will transfer from torchbearers to the caravan for its next stop in Dallas. Residents are invited to witness this moment in history and stand along the route.

"To carry the Olympic torch is a tremendous experience," said Arlington Mayor Elzie Odom. "Feeling the heat of the flame as it is being carried through your home town, and to hear thousands of supporters cheering is truly a unique event."

The flame of the 2002 Winter Games was lit Nov. 19, 2001 in Olympia, Greece. It traveled to Athens before arriving in Atlanta, Georgia, the previous U.S. city to host the Olympic Games. More than 11,500 torchbearers will help carry the Olympic Flame through 250 U.S. cities and 46 states.

On February 8, 2002, a Torchbearer will carry this Olympic symbol into Rice-Eccles Olympic Stadium and light the cauldron to officially start the Salt Lake 2002 Olympic Winter Games.

Coca-Cola Bottling Company of North Texas and Chevrolet are presenting sponsors of the Olympic Torch Relay.

Congratulations to the following Arlington residents chosen to carry the Olympic Torch!

Daniel Hippman II
Ron Isbell
Cody Lee
Vicki McCall
Samantha Morrow
Philip Porter
Patrick Schuster
Michael and Randy Starr
Rhonda Whitmore