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PHOTO & SLIDESHOW GALLERIES
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| Last updated at 8:43 AM on 14/11/09 |
Following the flame 
Olympic spirit makes its presence felt on Northeast Avalon
JAMES MCLEOD
The Telegram
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| Catherine Ducey carries the Olympic torch in Mount Pearl Friday afternoon as the flame made its way across the eastern part of the province. — Photo by Keith Gosse/The Telegram |
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Shortly after 6 p.m. Friday, St. John's had its Olympic moment.
Newfoundland Rock rugby coach Pat Parfrey carried the Olympic flame down over the hill in Bowring Park to a stage as thousands of people cheered.
"There was a large crowd screaming loudly, and I was very proud of our community to put on such a great show for the torch," Parfrey said.
"I think they've done a really great job in trying to make the Games matter to all Canadians, bringing it from coast to coast to coast."
Parfrey, a former head coach of the national rugby team, said he thought he was picked as the final torchbearer because of his work building sport in Newfoundland.
"I think I'm representing groups of people - I'm representing the athletes that I coached over many years and that were successful in national competitions, and I'm representing types of people who have tried to build facilities for sport in this city," he said.
The arrival of the torch was the climax of a public celebration in the park involving music, gymnastics, mascots and lots of little Canadian flags being waved.
After the flame arrived, Parfrey lit an "Olympic cauldron" onstage, and then the East Rock Crew performed, followed by the Masterless Men.
"The people of the province have gotten into the spirit of what the Olympics is about," Tourism and Culture Minster Clyde Jackman said.
He has been with the flame since it arrived in the province in Wabush Tuesday. On Friday, it made its way to the metro area, and spent the day touring the city.
Torchbearers took it for a ride in a dory in Petty Harbour, and slid with it down a curling rink.
Around 4 p.m., it was taken to Signal Hill before being carried through downtown St. John's and then to Bowring Park.
"When it came down over the hill alight, it was just unbelievable, it was just something that put the blood in your body flowing with excitement," said Randy Spurrell.
Spurrell was a torchbearer for the 1988 Calgary Olympics, and his wife carried the torch Friday.
Today the flame will be taken across the island as far as Grand Falls-Windsor, before travelling through Corner Brook to Port aux Basques Sunday and then taking the ferry to the mainland.
jmcleod@thetelegram.com
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14/11/09
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Leo from NL writes: What a disgusting waste of time and money when we look at the significant issues facing us as a people. Anyone who investigates the Vancouver area won't be so proud of the coming games.
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| Posted 14/11/2009 at 10:14 AM | Alert an Editor | Link to comment |
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Bob from NL writes: Leo, what's even more disgusting is that our province selects an import from Ireland to light the cauldron. I can't believe that so many of our Special Olympians, National cabilbre athletes and former Olympians from our province were overlooked by the committee in favour of Parfrey. This man's coaching style does nothing to reflect the values of the olympic spirit.
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| Posted 14/11/2009 at 10:40 AM | Alert an Editor | Link to comment |
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James from NL writes: After reading the story on Michael Dinn from Petty Harbour, I can't help but wonder how Dr. Parfrey was selected over him to light the big flame in Bowring Park. What a missed opportunity to highlight an amazing individual.
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| Posted 14/11/2009 at 10:44 AM | Alert an Editor | Link to comment |
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Frank from St. John's, NL writes: If you know your MP you too might be able to carry the flame.
And if you can pay $400 you can keep your torch.
I think I will feed my family and leave the Olympics to the wealthy well connected people.
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| Posted 14/11/2009 at 12:25 PM | Alert an Editor | Link to comment |
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Chris from NL writes: Leo, your useless! Its the Olympics, and if you want to change the world then how come your reading the Telegram, instead of serving at some soup kitchen
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| Posted 14/11/2009 at 12:28 PM | Alert an Editor | Link to comment |
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Telling it Like it is from St. John's, NL writes: Why isn't the Telegram covering Brad Gushue's loss on today's website??
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| Posted 14/11/2009 at 1:20 PM | Alert an Editor | Link to comment |
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Abner from NL writes: I've never met Dr. Parfrey but I know that he has done great things for both amateur sport and genetics research in NL. Our athletes certainly wouldn't have the provincial training centre without his efforts (and those of this group).
Yes, there are other good candidates - but there is no need to denigrate Dr. Parfrey or his achievements.
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| Posted 14/11/2009 at 1:38 PM | Alert an Editor | Link to comment |
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Howie from nl writes: Nice spirit,
This is the last thing we as Canadians want and need.
I mean who out there would want to have the world come to their country and for 4 weeks forget all outside issues and come together as one race, when we can forget that this one is Irish, ot that one is Indian, or Muslim.
To showcase to the world how we Canadians can provide the very best athletes that can compete on a world stage
I mean imagine having to pay the full $395 for your own piece of olympic history when Canada finally wins a gold medal at home.
Besides seems easy enough to recoup your money sell it on e-bay.
The negativity on this site never ceases to amaze me.
Our province is so unable to see the forest for the trees.
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| Posted 14/11/2009 at 4:18 PM | Alert an Editor | Link to comment |
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Anthony from NL writes: I don't want to get caught into the discussion around Dr. Parfrey, but I do agree with others that the many, many youth of our province who dream big, should have been chosen over him.
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| Posted 14/11/2009 at 5:57 PM | Alert an Editor | Link to comment |
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Canadian from town writes: What is being Canadian? It seems that several people in that have made remarks don't really know.
Dr. Parfrey is someone who loves his community and works effortlessly to make CANADA a better place. From the hospital to sport and recreation he someone that every Canadian should look up to.
Our country is made up of every nationality that’s what makes it such a great place. When you watch the Olympics you will see the winners are not necessarily born in Canada. I guess people who live on the rock might not know this because of their sheltered lives.
P.s. Dr. Parfrey received his citizenship a long time ago but I guess everyone already knows this.
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| Posted 14/11/2009 at 6:36 PM | Alert an Editor | Link to comment |
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James from NL writes: Pat Parfrey has done a lot for the province of Newfoundland. He has coached and guided plenty of young people here and throughout Canada (me included). He has spent countless hours building the sport of rugby and facilities for the sport on which others have benefitted. OFTEN Pat put his own $$$ for the benefit of his players. For those of you who might not know, that complex on Crosbie Road used to be a city landfill...yes, an actual dump! Look at it now. I believe the Hockey Hall of Fame inducts guys like Pat into the hallowed hall under the 'builder' category. Well done Pat, there's only one'um !
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| Posted 15/11/2009 at 11:34 AM | Alert an Editor | Link to comment |
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Jason L from AB writes: Bob, let's not forget that about half the people in our province are descendents from imports from Ireland.
I played rugby growing up and was fortunate enough to have Pat Parfrey as a coach for a period of time. Pat has committed his life to the growth of rugby and sport in NL. I was awazed at the amount of time he devoting to the sport. He was instrumental in putting Newfoundland on the national and international map for rugby. We have won several national championships and are now contenders every year. I can't think of many other sports that we dominate on a national level.
Are other people deserving of the honour? Sure. However, he deserves it as well.
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| Posted 15/11/2009 at 2:33 PM | Alert an Editor | Link to comment |
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Sean from Vancouver, BC writes: Bob,
What's even more disgusting than that is how much time, money, effort, blood sweat and tears that this import has put into the sports scene in NL....... Maybe he could leave and your athletes could go back to the Torbay Rec Centre and train by dodging holes in the floor!
A well deserved torch bearer in my book.
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| Posted 15/11/2009 at 5:47 PM | Alert an Editor | Link to comment |
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