Coca-Cola Torchbearers – January 26th
NAME: Janet Fisher
Hometown: Wembley, Alberta
Carrying Torch: Kelowna
Torchbearer number: OTR089-054
Torch Relay Segment: January 26th, 2010
Age: 54
Torchbearer Story:
Janet Fisher quit smoking 6 yrs ago, trading in cigarettes for exercise. Now she is training for her first marathon and has joined the ‘Team In Training’ team from across Canada to raise money for cancer research. She has been training with different groups of runners and taking boot camp and yoga classes to prepare herself for the marathon.
Fisher has promised her supporters that she will train hard to finish the marathon and raise money and awareness for this great cause. She hopes to inspire others to get involved in something they believe in.
Fisher also volunteers for Meals on Wheels. She delivers meals to people who are unable to make themselves a hot meal. This is very rewarding for Fisher. They remind her to always look on the bright side of life. Fisher is also an active environmentalist. She has recycled, composted and used reusable bags for years. Fisher is a proud Canadian and is honoured to be a Coca-Cola Torchbearer.
NAME: Alison Ibbotson
Hometown: Invermere, Alberta
Carrying Torch: Armstrong
Torchbearer number: OTR089-121
Torch Relay Segment: January 26th, 2010
Age: 58
Torchbearer Story:
Alison Ibbotson has always been ahead of her time in terms of respecting the planet. She has always recycled, purchased energy efficient products and minimized her water and electricity consumption. At work, Ibbotson single handily started a recycling program. Her regional district had not started recycling, so Ibbotson purchased recycling boxes, arranged transportation to recycling depots and encouraged her colleagues to think more about recycling. Ibbotson is also helping the environment through her wild garden. Her garden of 15 years consists of wild plants from her local region. Neighbours enjoy her garden and Ibbotson has helped them realize the benefits of embracing the environment. She has also eliminated the need to use herbicides and her lawnmower. Recently, Ibbotson’s district banned pesticides and her garden has become a shining example and alternative to some of the dandelion covered lawns in her region.
NAME: Roxana Adams
Hometown: Lake Country, British Columbia
Carrying Torch: Lake Country
Torchbearer number: OTR089-055
Torch Relay Segment: January 26th, 2010
Age: 50
Torchbearer Story:
Roxana Adams credits her parents with fostering her love of sports. She has been active since she was young; swimming, playing tennis and hiking. While at university, Roxana began jogging. She says that jogging helps her maintain a healthy lifestyle.
She is proud to be a Coca Cola Olympic Torchbearer.
NAME: Constance Stephany
Hometown: Vernon, British Columbia
Carrying Torch: Vernon
Torchbearer number: OTR089-082
Torch Relay Segment: January 26th, 2010
Age: 33
Torchbearer Story:
The moment Constance Stephany realized that things had to change came on a Cross-Country Skiing excursion this past winter. As her 60 year-old parents glided gracefully off in the distance, she fell farther and farther behind as her lungs were ready to explode.
For the last 10 years, Constance had been over-eating and under-exercising. She realized that if her habits did not change, she might not be doing anything by age 60. She was inspired to join a boot camp class and for that 1 hour, everyday, she tested the limits of every muscle in her body. This, coupled with a stringent nutrition plan, caused the results to come fast and were stunning, not only on the outside, but inside as well.
She began to feel more confident and has begun training towards riding her bike across the Golden Gate Bridge. Constance is proud to be a Coca Cola Olympic Torchbearer.
NAME: Blair Ireland
Hometown: Kelowna, British Columbia
Carrying Torch: Kelowna
Torchbearer number: OTR089-018
Torch Relay Segment: January 26th, 2010
Age: 51
Torchbearer Story:
Blair Ireland and her family have always been involved in sport. Blair’s dad won the Manitoba Alpine Ski Championships in 1936. Her brother just missed going to the Barcelona Olympics and has recently just retired as one of the best professional sailboard racers in the world, and her sister competed in the Eco-challenge. Blair’s children participate in alpine ski racing as well as many other sports.
Blair believe that sports, with the Olympics as the pinnacle, bring out the best in people as well as inspire and educate the participants. There can be no greater honour than representing Canada. She is proud to be a Coca Cola Olympic Torchbearer.
NAME: Janet Tietzen
Hometown: Kelowna, British Columbia
Carrying Torch: Kelowna
Torchbearer number: OTR089-007
Torch Relay Segment: January 26th, 2010
Age: 50
Torchbearer Story:
Janet Tietzen and her husband have raised over $785,000.00 over the last 15 years as part of our Wendy’s Dreamlift Day. The money that is raised in the Southern Interior of BC for children from this area with life threatening illnesses’ and/or severe physical disabilities for a one day, group escorted trip to Disneyland.
