Mumme to carry Olympic torch in Beaconsfield on Dec. 8

High-school senior Benjamin Mumme is thrilled he has been selected to carry the Olympic torch to light a ceremonial cauldron during a community celebration being held in Beaconsfield Dec. 8.

Beaconsfield was named one of the cities to host a community celebration as part of the cross-country Olympic torch relay. The 16-year-old Beaconsfield High School student is one of about 12,000 Canadians chosen to carry the Olympic flame in the torch relay, which is currently weaving its way through Nova Scotia. “It’s quite the honour,” Mumme said. “I get to carry the torch for my country, for the City of Beaconsfield and for my school.”

One of the perks of being selected an official torch bearer is that Mumme can purchase the torch as a keepsake. “I also got a tracksuit uniform, a toque and mittens,” Mumme added.

Mumme, who plays soccer and Volleyball and coaches a swim team, was nominated to carry the torch by BHS for his involvement in school activities and sports. He said his main sport is water polo, as he plays for the Dollard des Ormeaux club and was on a provincial U-16 team. He hopes he can one day be on Canada’s water polo team. “I’ll keep working at it,” he said.

As for the upcoming Winter Games, Mumme’s attention will be on hockey but he will watch as many sports as possible, from speed skating to skiing. “For me, they are all inspiring,” he said.

The Olympic torch rally will come to Beaconsfield after passing through St. Lazare, Hudson, Pincourt, Ste. Anne de Bellevue and Baie d’Urfe earlier in the day. After Beaconsfield’s evening celebration, the flame relay will head north the next morning to Mont Tremblant on Dec. 9. However, it will make its way back to the West Island Dec. 10, passing through Kirkland, Dollard des Ormeaux, Pointe Claire and Dorval.

Beaconsfield’s celebration will be held at Centennial Park from 6 to 8 p.m. There will be various groups entertaining the crowd as well as video presentations to be presented by the Vancouver Olympic Committee. “On Dec. 8, we want everyone in our community to join together with other Canadians and show the world how inspired we feel by the Olympic Flame and its message of peace, brotherhood and friendship,” stated newly elected Beaconsfield Mayor David Pollock.

Midway through Beaconsfield’s event, Mumme will carry the Olympic torch to the stage where he will light a 1.3-metre high celebration cauldron, in a move similar to the dramatic highlight of the opening ceremony for the Vancouver 2010 Olympic Winter Games in February.