Estimated read time: 2-3 minutes
This archived news story is available only for your personal, non-commercial use. Information in the story may be outdated or superseded by additional information. Reading or replaying the story in its archived form does not constitute a republication of the story.
This is Fred Ball for Zions Bank, speaking on business.
With the Winter Games just a week away, we’re nearly ready to welcome the world. But there is one more item of business—it is the Olympic Torch Relay. And though the flame was ignited more than two months ago in Greece, we still have yet to welcome it to our state. Interestingly, the Torch Relay has been a tradition of the Games since 1952. As the prelude to each of these world competitions, it has symbolized spirit, knowledge and life.
The relay began in Athens with the torch lighting on November 19. A few weeks later on December 4, it arrived in Atlanta, Georgia, the last U.S. city to host the Olympic Games. By the time it reaches Rice-Eccles Stadium in just one week, it will have been carried by 11,500 Torchbearers through 250 cities and 46 states across America.
On Monday morning, we’ll finally have the chance to welcome the Torch to Utah. The journey here is scheduled to begin beneath Delicate Arch in Arches National Park. From there, the Torch travels to Moab. KSL’s Grant and Amanda will join Moab’s residents in welcoming it to the first Utah city. From there, it’s off to southeastern Utah, Bryce and Zions national parks, Springdale and Hurricane. That night, the Torch will arrive in St. George to a glowing display of luminary bags and glow sticks provided by Zions Bank.
From St. George, the Torch travels on Tuesday to Cedar City for a stadium celebration, then on to Parowan, Beaver, Richfield, Centerfield, Gunnison, Manti, Ephraim, Nephi and finally, Provo for another glowing welcome with luminaries. Luminary bags are available to the public at Zions Bank in Provo.
After a night in Provo, the Torch finishes traveling through Utah County, then over to Tooele, across the Great Salt Lake, in to Tremonton and down through several northern Utah towns, ending that night in Ogden. On Thursday, the Torch will make its way through some of Utah’s mountain towns, including Park City, Heber City and Midway. And on Friday, the Torch will travel through Davis and Salt Lake counties with the final destination being the lighting of the cauldron at the Opening Ceremonies.
What an exciting way to welcome the Games! I hope you all have a chance to see the Torch as it passes through your cities and towns. For Zions Bank, I’m Fred Ball. I’m speaking on business.
