With the 10th anniversary of 麻豆传媒映画hosting the 2010 Winter Olympics upon us, we are looking back at some of the stories that were making the news in the Courier during those 17 days in February.
This story was originally published Feb. 10, 2010
***
Longtime park board employee Cindy Crapper is finally taking part in the Olympics 鈥� 26 years after qualifying for the 1984 Summer Games in Los Angeles, Calif.
Crapper is running with the 2010 Olympic torch Friday morning, the final day of the relay and just hours before the opening ceremonies begin. It鈥檚 an honour she received after submitting an audition tape of her rapping a self-penned song professing her dedication to sport and the City of Vancouver, under the moniker Cindy C. Rapper.
The 47-year-old Crapper laughed as she recalled creating the rap song and taking it on the road. 鈥淚 was at Templeton secondary and I put on my [torchbearer] uniform and waved at all the kids and then I did my rap for them,鈥� she said.
Crapper said it was heartbreaking to be left home by the Canadian Olympic team in 1984 after qualifying for javelin. She鈥檇 been fitted for a uniform when Canada鈥檚 Olympic Association decided not to send the whole team and take only the top contenders. 鈥淚t was devastating to watch my friends and teammates taking part in the opening ceremonies,鈥� said Crapper, who was living in Ontario at the time.
鈥淏ut you move on. Now I鈥檓 giving back and I鈥檓 still heavily involved with sports. I coach three hockey teams and I鈥檓 involved with lots of park board programs.鈥�
Crapper has worked for the park board for 23 years and holds the position of recreation services coordinator in charge of access, through which she deals with seniors and people with disabilities.
鈥淪o I鈥檓 just as pumped for the Paralympics as I am for the Olympics,鈥� said Crapper.
Crapper uses the term 鈥減umped鈥� lightly. The excitement in her voice was obvious as she talked about her run with the torch. 鈥淚 am so excited and feel so lucky and privileged to have been chosen,鈥� said Crapper.
Crapper鈥檚 family is equally thrilled. Besides her partner, sharing Crapper鈥檚 Olympic moment will be a brother who鈥檚 travelled here from England and another who lives in Vancouver. She鈥檒l also be joined by her 16-year-old nephew and a seven-year-old great-nephew who鈥檚 flying in from Prince Rupert this week.
鈥淚 talked to him on the phone [Sunday] and he is so excited,鈥� said Crapper.
Another torchbearer from the city carrying the flame Friday is Marc-Andre Choquette, who like Crapper is thrilled to take part.
鈥淲hen I was first chosen, the flame was so far away I didn鈥檛 really think about it,鈥� said Choquette, who works for the city鈥檚 library. 鈥淏ut now that it鈥檚 so close I鈥檓 getting nervous.鈥�
Choquette said his mother is of Chinese-Philippino descent and his father is French-Canadian. 鈥淏ut I grew up in 麻豆传媒映画and it鈥檚 become my cultural identity,鈥� he said. 鈥淚鈥檓 very proud to be representing my city.鈥�
Choquette was at work early in the morning one day last year, wearing his Canucks jersey and playoff beard, when a team arrived to interview potential torchbearers. They convinced him to apply and interview and eventually he got word he鈥檇 been chosen.
鈥淚t鈥檚 a very humbling experience,鈥� said Choquette.
Also carrying the torch Friday is 麻豆传媒映画Whitecaps president Bob Lenarduzzi. On Thursday, Ken Lyotier, founder of United We Can, will carry the Olympic torch after being selected as the city鈥檚 Community Torchbearer. Lyotier will carry the Olympic flame into Livecity Yaletown Thursday and light that site鈥檚 cauldron.
Crapper鈥檚 run begins at 9:07 a.m. in front of the steam clock in Gastown. Crapper鈥檚 rap audition can be seen on
听
