nwasianweekly.com
Aug. 2, 2008

Locke proudly carries the Olympic torch!

“Wow!”

This was former Gov. Gary Locke reaction to news that he has been selected as one of only three Americans who will carry the Olympic torch. In a slingshot trip to the other side of the world, Locke will carry the torch on Aug. 5 and be back in the U.S. by Aug 6.

Locke feels extremely honored. “My parents are very excited,” he said.

Locke feels that there are actually two “Olympics” going on, one being the actual games, the other being the Herculean effort to rebuild after the earthquake. He wants to see the disaster area and the relief effort especially because Sichuan is the sister province of Washington state.

One of his goals in his short visit there is that he wants to report to the Chinese press that the people in America are very concerned for the victims. Americans have made tremendous efforts to raise funds to build new schools and bring them supplies and medicines. For instance, Boeing has carried supplies free. He wants the people in China to know that Americans have not forgotten the victims.

Locke will be in the last batch of people carrying the torch in Chengdu, capital of Sichuan. Approximately 50 people are carrying it before the torch goes on to Beijing.

Locke coyly admits that he is only running around the block — 200 to 300 meters. When asked what kind of training he will do to prepare, he laughed. “Carry it and don’t drop it!” he said.