2002 Winter Olympic Memory

A once in a lifetime opportunity to participate in the Olympic Torch Relay

February 12, 2002

Left, Ric Burket runs in the 2002 Winter Olympics Torch Relay with former University of Utah gymnast Diane Ellington. Photo by Tom Smart, The Deseret News, reprinted with permission of the Deseret News.

Salt Lake City employee Ric Burket believes he is one of the luckiest people alive. Although he is only one among thousands, being part of the 2002 Winter Olympic Torch Relay will be forever etched in his mind. On February 7, Ric proudly participated as a support runner in the Salt Lake City leg of the torch relay. “It was the greatest honor of my life,” says Ric. The 28-year Department of Public Utilities welder summed up his feelings by saying “I got a gift.”

The Torch Relay spanned 65 days and traveled 13,500 miles across the United States. Beginning in Olympia, Greece, the Olympic flame was flown to Atlanta, Georgia where it began its trek through 46 states including Alaska. Besides more than 11,500 torchbearers, the torch was carried by all modes of transportation, including dog sled, prairie schooner and a State Parks boat across the Great Salt Lake. The torch reached the end of its journey when it ignited the Olympic caldron at Rice-Eccles Stadium at the conclusion of the Opening Ceremonies on February 8.

Support runners are there to assist the torchbearers if they need help with the torch. Torchbearers carry the ignited torch 0.2 miles, while the support runners run up to 2 miles. It’s the option of the torchbearers to pass off the torch to the support runners. Ric was able to carry the torch three times during his portion of the Torch Relay.

Ric’s family nominated him for the Torch Relay. He was notified on Labor Day that he was selected, but didn’t receive his uniform or learn where he would run until a week before February 7. When he and the participants got on the bus to travel to the designated reach of the relay, the meaning of the event really sunk in. Each participant was given the opportunity to express their thoughts about the Olympics and the Torch Relay. “I could feel the passion of those about to participate,” reflects Ric. “I was so proud to be involved.”

Ric lives an active lifestyle. He has been running for 23 years at a 7 to 8 minute per mile pace. He and his friends meet every morning at 5:15 a.m. at Memory Grove just below City Creek Canyon, where they faithfully run 4 miles up canyon and 4 miles back, 5 days a week. On Saturday he runs by himself. Besides running, he joins his family in hiking, biking and camping. During the winter he also plays ice hockey. He has been married for 18 years and has 4 children.

Ric notes with satisfaction his role with the Utah Air National Guard. In 1997 and again in 1999 he and other Guard members used their physical strength to deliver an important message to school age children. They bicycled over 650 miles from Franklin, Idaho to the Arizona boarder, visiting 120 Utah schools in an anti-drug campaign. Dressed in special uniforms, he and his comrades tried to shape young lives by avoiding the pitfalls of drugs and their use.

Like most Utahns, the experience of the 2002 Winter Olympics will remain as a memory; however, Ric will carry the added experience of actually participating in the games. He will keep the blue uniform that will forever remind him of the day he carried the Olympic Torch.