The Martlet

The Olympic Torch ran through campus for 10 minutes on Friday, Oct. 30, and UVic spent almost $28,000 to celebrate its arrival.

UVic Ceremony and Events and campus athletic groups set up tables, games and a free burger barbecue to attract students and the community to Centennial Stadium parking lot, near the torch’s route during its UVic leg.

Volunteers dished out $10,000 worth of free burgers and drinks for an hour. Campus athletic groups set up activities such as a slap-shot contest, a ball hockey game, a virtual snowboarding game and a snowboarding ramp, and sports clubs set up information tables.

Past Olympians and coaches gave brief speeches about the role of athletics in the UVic community and the university’s dedication to sport.

“[The event was] a chance to recognize the Olympians that we have as members of Vikes/UVic Alumni, but also our long tradition of athletic excellence and our many community programs related to recreation,” said Associate Vice President Student Affairs Jim Dunsdon.

In addition to the community event, UVic spent $6,750 on a private reception for President David Turpin and guests earlier in the day.

After the event, participants made their way to Ring Road to cheer on the torch. Over 500 turned out to witness the torch relay enter UVic at McGill Road, and travel along Ring Road for 10 minutes before exiting at University Drive and heading towards Oak Bay.

Strong support for the 2010 Olympic Games exuded from hundreds of students and the community on hand to see the torch. And while downtown Victoria experienced conflict, UVic remained protest-free.The only sign in the crowd was attached to a ski, and read “skis for sale: 100 beers.” Campus Security reported that the relay at UVic was completed without incident.

As many as 50 officers and Campus Security oversaw the UVic leg. Police set up barriers and police tape hours before torch arrived, and patrolled the Ring Road with cars, motorbikes and a helicopter overhead.

But the authorities needed only to stand by and watch as the crowd cheered the sponsor vehicles and the torch, and sang O Canada. Hundreds waved red Coca-Cola flags and beat miniature Royal Bank tambourines that were passed out beforehand. When they weren’t doing the wave, the crowd made noise worthy of a gold-medal game.

UVic was only a brief destination for the torch, and not an official stop. It was passed by three pre-selected torchbearers along Ring Road, and continued its route.

The torch finished the day on the legislature lawn, where it was met by both supporters and protestors.