More than 8,000 people are chanting your name as you run through a massive crowd. Your adrenaline is pumping, the energy is high, and there is an unmistakable feeling of pride for the USA. You’re one of the few Olympic torchbearers for the 2012 London Summer Olympics. This dream was Sarah Jo Lambert’s reality this past summer. She shares her incredible experience here.
What are you involved in on campus?
I am a double major news-editorial and AD/PR with a double minor in English and Spanish and a concentration in history. I am fundraising chair for AD club, a member of Chi Omega, and other clubs. I love reading, writing, and watching movies.
How were you chosen for the honor of carrying the Olympic torch?
I was chosen by Coca-Cola and it was because I raised over 225,000 dollars and spent three years building an environmental center for children. Coca-Cola provided everything and paid for the entire trip and allowed one guest so I took my older brother. He was the only one who came with me.
What was required of you before you carried the torch?
I was there for a few days and had to go to meetings and security details. And then I carried the Olympic torch through Bletchley, England.
Did you meet any Olympians or famous people while there?
I met Michelle Kwan and Summer Sanders! They were past Olympians but still cool!
Overall how was the experience for you?
There really aren’t words to describe the experience. I ran through a crowd of more than 8,000 people chanting my name carrying the Olympic torch representing my country. There are no words. I felt pride for my country, adrenaline, excitement, nerves…the list goes on. The Bletchley torchbearers and I were in a bus and one of the girls actually knew my friend that I went to high school with. There were a lot of torchbearers my age so we became Facebook friends and Twitter followers of each other.The experience was unbelievable. An amazing once in a lifetime opportunity.