Large Crowds Turn Out to Witness Olympic Flame Arrive at SLU

Hundreds flock to SLU to witness Olympic history in the making. Photos by Allison Babka Burney/SLU Newslink.

Olympic champion Bonnie Blair.

ST. LOUIS -- The Olympic torch stopped at Saint Louis University Thursday during its historic journey to Greece for the 2004 Olympics. Celebrated speed skater Bonnie Blair carried the flame to SLU. Blair has won five Olympic gold medals, more than any other U.S. woman in summer or winter competition.

Heading north on Grand Boulevard from Gravois Avenue, the massive Olympic entourage stopped at SLU for a brief celebration. Waving American flags and Olympic pennants, hundreds of people crowded around Busch Student Center to take photos of Blair as she held the torch high. The crowd surged with patriotism and pride.

“I’ve never felt more American than right now,” said SLU student Mike Kulungowski.

“This is a wonderful thing for me,” added Jesus Reyes, a member of the grounds crew at the University. “SLU is a beautiful place, and especially with the torch here, this is one of the best places I’ve ever been.”

After the break, the flame continued northward on Grand to Natural Bridge Road. The relay ended in Forest Park Thursday evening, where a St. Louis Olympic Centennial Celebration and cauldron lighting were held.

SLU student Alberto Friedmann

Two members of the University community were selected to carry the flame as it made its way through St. Louis: doctoral students Alberto Friedmann and Samantha Wilson.

Alberto Friedmann
Many of the St. Louis torch runners have been chosen for overcoming adversity, and graduate student Alberto Friedmann is no exception. Friedmann has Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome, a degenerative joint disease, which leaves him in constant pain.

Despite this, he holds fifth-degree master black belts in several martial arts disciplines and is an international martial arts champ. He also happens to be pursuing a Ph.D. in pharmacological and physiological science in SLU’s School of Medicine so he can research Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome.

After carrying the torch Thursday, he hopped onto a plane to Barcelona, Spain, to join the U.S. Martial Arts Team in competing against 40 other countries at the Peace Games World Championships June 18-21. Although Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome prevents Friedmann from competing in sparring contests, he will participate in forms and weapons competitions, which can be physically taxing even for those without the disease.

Samantha Wilson
Wilson, a native of St. Louis, received her master’s degree in psychology from SLU last year. She currently is pursuing her Ph.D. in psychology and soon will start her dissertation, which examines the outcomes of children adopted internationally. Wilson's research interests include adoption, neglect and child welfare.

Wilson, who literally was just getting off a plane when interviewed, said a family friend nominated her. Although she hasn’t seen the entry, Wilson suspects her being chosen has a lot to with her global travels and interest in making a difference around the world.

She has volunteered internationally, including participating in a Habitat for Humanity project in Nicaragua. She also traveled to Ghana with SLU’s School of Social Service.

“It’s an incredibly humbling experience,” said Wilson, about being selected as a torchbearer.

Strong Olympic Ties
St. Louis is one of only four American cities and one of only 34 cities worldwide that are part of the Athens 2004 Olympic Torch Relay. The Olympic flame – originally lit on March 25 in Olympia, Greece – arrived in St. Louis by plane from Los Angeles at approximately 10:30 a.m. Thursday. This year is the 100th anniversary of the 1904 Olympics in St. Louis. It also marks the first time the torch will circle the entire globe and pass through all seven continents. The torch already has been carried along the Great Wall of China and passed the pyramids in Egypt.

Related links:

• Read more about Alberto Friedmann and his journey to becoming a martial arts champ.

• To view a map of the St. Louis route and other places it will pass, visit the St. Louis St. Louis Sports Commission website.

• To find out more about the summer Olympics, visit the 2004 Athens Olympic Games website.

Onlookers wave American flags and Olympic pennants in anticipation of the torch's arrival.

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