Coca-Cola Torchbearers – January 13th
NAME: Erin Clark
Hometown: Edmonton, Alberta
Torch Relay Segment: January 13th, 2010
Age: 25
Torchbearer Story:
Erin Clark has never considered herself an athlete. She cheered when she was in school, but according to her peers it was not a real sport. Through competitions, she began to connect more with the cheerleading community. She found a group of people who saw cheerleading as a sport. This helped push Clark to strive at cheerleading and achieve success.
When Clark graduated from teachers college, she began the struggle of looking for a job. She looked for a long time until she found her match, a school that needed a nutrition teacher and a cheerleading coach. The school’s cheerleading team consisted of five girls struggling with the basics and a school that did not appreciate them. She wanted for these girls what she had found in cheerleading. Clark’s team began training and before long they had a strong group. Their first performance was spectacular. It led the school population to re-evaluate their stance on cheerleading. Within the month after that performance their cheerleading team grew to 12 members.
Today, the team consists of 20 members. Each girl is very unique, but they all come for the same reason, to be a part of a team. Many girls are not basketball stars, but they are good athletes. They have all achieved success, happiness and acceptance through cheerleading.
NAME: Jonathan Pearson
Hometown: Edmonton, Alberta
Torch Relay Segment: January 13th, 2010
Age: 25
Torchbearer Story:
Noticing the lack of individuals playing tennis within his community, Jonathan Pearson decided it was time to give back and create the opportunities he had been given in his favourite sport, tennis. Through programs like ‘Building Tennis Communities, Go Girls, Tennis in Schools’, Pearson was able to generate excitement for the sport of tennis.
As a competitive athlete who competed in multiple national tennis and Canada games events, Pearson understood the importance of being active and healthy. He noticed that without the contributions of coaches, parents, and friends, he would have never developed into the player he is today. As a result, Pearson was inspired to create the same opportunities he received.
During the past four years, Pearson has invested hours volunteering for the sport he loves. He has visited thirteen local city courts, teaching free tennis clinics to the public. Pearson and others have taught 2000 District 2 kids ages 8-13 the game of tennis during their gym period; close to 175 kids have entered their local summer tennis programs; and over 1000 girls learned hitting techniques from their participation in the ‘Go Girls’ initiative. Tennis is now on the rise in his community and Pearson hopes his efforts will inspire others to live the ‘I-Coke’ lifestyle everyday.
NAME: Tammy Nousek
Hometown: Calgary, Alberta
Torch Relay Segment: January 13th, 2010
Age: 42
Torchbearer Story:
Tammy Nousek was always known for her volunteer activities and giving as much of herself as she could. One summer all of that began to change. Her dad noticed that Nousek was not herself anymore. Her own kids began to notice a change and her students began to notice she did not have the same zeal and excitement as she always had. After months of not knowing what was wrong, Nousek was given a MRI and admitted into the hospital and diagnosed with a rare disease. After a spinal cord operation and months in the hospital, she was told she would probably never walk again. However, Nousek did not accept this prognosis and was determined to walk again. After months of rehabilitation, Nousek went from wheelchair to walker to cane and was finally able to walk on her own, although sometimes unsteady. Much to her humble surprise, Nousek inspired others with her story. She began educating student doctors and physicians about her disease. She also began to understand what it meant for athletes to hit the wall and have to push past it with sheer determination. Nousek’s life work is to inspire others never to give up and keep on believing in themselves.
NAME: Irene Tang
Hometown: Edmonton, Alberta
Torch Relay Segment: January 13th, 2010
Age: 23
Torchbearer Story:
This past April, Irene Tang graduated from the King’s University College in Edmonton, Alberta, where she earned her Bachelor of Commerce degree while competing for the Women’s Basketball Team. Tang was the team captain for the majority of her time at King’s where she led and organized individual shooting practices, sprint sessions and off-season training programs for the team. Through the implementation of these various training activities, Tang continually stressed the importance of acquiring and maintaining an excellent fitness level. This is not only necessary at an elite level of competition, but also to adopt habits that will transcend into life after basketball.
During the off-season, Tang spends a month coaching youth basketball camps in her province for kids ages 10-17. This specific sports camp is unique because it teaches life skills through the great game of basketball. As a coach, Tang is able to tie in the importance of hard work, discipline, determination and teamwork. She also ties a healthy lifestyle to how it relates both on and off the court. As a player and a person, Tang prides herself on teaching and inspiring kids to strive for more in their lives.
NAME: Larry Brewster
Hometown: Edmonton, Alberta
Torch Relay Segment: January 13th, 2010
Age: 53
Torchbearer Story:
Larry Brewster says that he is fortunate that his family has always been active. Several years ago, his oldest daughter started running with friends. One evening over dinner, she said it would be nice to have someone from the family run with her. Larry said he would be happy to run with her. At first, Larry had trouble running the full length of the driveway without becoming winded but after a couple of months, he ran in his first 10 KM race, with his family cheering him on.
Last year, Larry and his family competed in several runs together. The highlight was completing the half marathon in Ottawa with his wife, daughter, and son. Larry is proud to be running the Coca Cola Olympic Torch on behalf of his family.
NAME: Alasdair Mills
Hometown: Edmonton, Alberta
Torch Relay Segment: January 13th, 2010
Age: 50
Torchbearer Story:
Alasdair Mills believes that living Olympic on the Coke side of life is a fantastic way to help prevent or live with diabetes. In 2001, Alasdair found out that he had diabetes. He says that walking and trying to eat right has helped him lose weight and maintain his blood sugar readings. Alasdair tries his best to follow the Canadian food guide and Canada’s Physical Activity Guides.
Alasdair is proud to be part of the Coca Cola Olympic Torch Relay.
NAME: Gabrielle Humbke
Hometown: Sherwood Park, Alberta
Torch Relay Segment: January 13th, 2010
Age: 13
Torchbearer Story:
Gabrielle Humbke is a figure skater with the Sherwood Park Figure Skating Club. She skates an average of eight to ten hours a week. She also participates in off-ice exercises, which include ballet, strength training, flexibility and yoga. She believes that staying active will help keep her healthy.
Gabrielle is very hopeful that she will make it to the next winter Olympic games. She may not be ready yet, but she hopes that with hard work and determination, she will be able to represent Canada. Gabrielle says she is honored to be a Coca Cola Olympic Torch bearer!
NAME: Mike Medicoff
Hometown: Edmonton, Alberta
Torch Relay Segment: January 13th, 2010
Age: 44
Torchbearer Story:
Mike Medicoff has always been inspired by the Olympics and the commitment of the individual athlete. In May of 2007, his 6 year old son was struck and killed by a vehicle crossing the street. Mike’s downward spiral of grief made him start to look for ways to deal with his loss.
Running became a viable option and Mike decided to set a goal to run a 10K race. He started training as a way to completely escape the grief and he found that running helped him deal with his emotions in a more positive way. Mike has completed seven 10K races in the last five months. Now he has started training for a half marathon in the spring. Mike realizes he will never be the same person he used to be, because of the large void left by my son, but running has allowed him the distraction that he dearly needed.
NAME: Steve Korbie
Hometown: Sherwood Park, Alberta
Torch Relay Segment: January 13th, 2010
Age: 36
Torchbearer Story:
Steve Korbie was born with cerebral palsy and his parents were told that he had a five percent chance to life past the first twenty-four hours and if he did. There was high probability of Steve becoming paralyzed or mentally challenged but with the support of his family, Steve was able to become mobile with the use of crutches, and had learned to value independence.
Steve loves watching the athletes during the Olympics because of the dedication to not only their respective countries, but to their respective sports. He says it is always humbling to see the world coming together, as friends to share in the experience, be it as a competitor, spectator or fan watching from home. He can relate his dedication to keeping his mobility to the athletes’ dedication to do their absolute best in their chosen sports.
Steve is thrilled to be a part of the Olympic dream and to be a Coca Cola Torchbearer.
NAME: Erika Hannem
Hometown: Edmonton, Alberta
Torch Relay Segment: January 13th, 2010
Age: 19
Torchbearer Story:
Erika Hannem has a passion for finding a cure for breast cancer. She has lost three aunts to the disease. She organized the participation of her team, The Booby Bunch, in the CIBC Run for the Cure. In their first year as a team, they raised almost $4000. Many people tell her that she has great determination but she says she will not give up until a cure is found.
NAME: Trapper Tyrone
Hometown: Caronport, Saskatchewan
Torch Relay Segment: January 13th, 2010
Age: 19
Torchbearer Story:
Trapper Tyrone is very excited to take part in the Olympics 2010 and to represent Canada. He would like to thank God for this blessing and would like to dedicate his run to his First Nation People and to youth. He hopes to inspire other to pursue their life dreams.
