Torchbearers embody the spirit of the Olympics

ELLIOTT SMITH, THE OLYMPIAN

Originally published Sunday, January 20, 2002

OLYMPIA -- Edith Russell will never forget her first Olympic experience -- dancing in the opening ceremonies of the 1936 Berlin Olympics.

Sixty-six years later, she has another opportunity to be part of Olympic lore.

Russell is one of 21 South Sound residents so far given the honor of carrying the Olympic torch through Olympia on Jan. 23 as it continues on its cross-country sojourn to Salt Lake City, home of the 2002 Winter Olympic Games.

For the 76-year-old Russell, being able to take part in another Olympics is like a dream come true.

"I've never forgotten the feeling," she said of her gymnastic routine during the 1936 Games. "I was 11 years old, and it was very special. We trained for two years and didn't know what for until we went to the Olympic stadium. This brings it all back."

All of the participants share Russell's sentiments. In fact, that's why they were chosen. The torch committee took nominations and selected the torchbearers that it deemed best embodied the Olympic spirit.

For some, receiving the news that they would be a part of Olympic history was a big surprise.

"My daughter nominated me, and when I got the letter in the mail, that's when she told me," said Madeline Donaldson of Olympia. "I cried like an idiot."

Donaldson and her daughter, Stephanie, were both selected to be torchbearers, but with a twist.

"You've heard of Murphy's Law?" Donaldson said. "My daughter and I were selected as a pair, but I'm in Olympia and she's in Tacoma. So she's going to come down and see me, and I'll go up and see her. It will be fun."

Dave and Lisbeth Naber will carry the torch as a pair through a stretch of Pacific Avenue.

"We're looking forward to it," Dave Naber said. "We really feel like we're part of the Olympics."

For Lisbeth Naber, who helped found the Washington State Senior Games, the distance of the run is the least of her concerns.

"It's only one-fifth of a mile -- it's not that strenuous," she said. "We're both in our 70s, but we're in pretty good shape. We lift weights three times a week, go walking three miles a day, do a lot of folk dancing, and we just went downhill skiing in Park City, Utah, so we got to see a lot of the Olympic sites."

As the big day draws near, the participants are growing ready for their moment.

"I tried on my uniform and was looking at myself with it on," Donaldson said. "It's fun."

But it's also about pride in America.

"I really, truly wish that every American could feel the way I do," Russell said. "Excitement, pride ... I wish we could feel like that always."

Elliott Smith covers sports for The Olympian. He can be reached at 360-754-5473 or esmith@ olympian.gannett.com.

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