Due to logistics, not all of the people carrying the torch in Milton are from Milton, and a number of the Miltonians chosen as torchbearers will actually participate in relays being held in other communities.
One such person is local hockey and lacrosse coach Jim Wickware, who also entered the RBC contest. In his application, he pledged to create a better Canada by continuing to volunteer his time and energy, coaching local sports teams.
“I’m extremely excited, extremely honoured and humbled to be able to participate in such a historic event,” Wickware said Tuesday morning at an official announcement at RBC in Milton Mall.
Wickware will carry the torch in Etobicoke December 19.
He said as a child he dreamed of standing on the Olympic podium as a medalist and is thrilled to experience a little piece of the Games as a torchbearer.
He dedicated the honour to all local coaches, “whether on the field, or in the pool, gym or rinks,” as his wife and two sons, aged eight and 11, looked on.
Wickware was symbolically handed a torch by Olympian Rowan Barrett, who was captain of Team Canada’s basketball team at the 2000 Sydney Summer Olympics.
“Jim, you’re going to experience something you’ll no doubt remember for the rest of your life,” Barrett said.