OLYMPICS

‘It was just so fun’: 2002 Olympic torchbearer recalls patriotic experience

Jul 25, 2024, 12:17 PM | Updated: 12:27 pm

SALT LAKE CITY – In 2002, my grandma, Kathleen Barnes Walker, was a torchbearer for the Salt Lake City Olympics.  

I recently had the chance to sit down with her to talk about her experience.  

“I had all these fears, like, ‘What if I light my hair on fire with the torch? Or what if I fall into a manhole? Or what if my pants fall off because the suits were really big?'” she said.  


More: Exclusive news, stories, and highlights from the Paris Olympics on KSL TV and KSL Sports.


My grandfather, Alan Barnes, had served on the Interfaith Council for the Salt Lake Olympics – he unexpectedly died a year before the opening ceremony. My grandmother received a letter inviting her to run the Olympic torch in his honor.  

“I was just terrified,” she said. “My children were all laughing at me, saying, ‘Mother, you have never run anything. What are you going to do?’ ‘I don’t know, I think I’m going to need heavenly help.'” 

Preparation to be a torchbearer

So, she started training.  

“I got on my treadmill with soup cans,” she said. “I would hold a soup can and I would run, and then I would change hands, because I’m thinking, ‘Maybe they make you change hands.’ I mean, I didn’t know anything about what you do.”  

When the day finally came – Feb. 8, 2002 – she arrived at her assigned stretch on Redwood Road.

“They dip the torch and then light your torch, and then you take your torch and you run your next little lap,” she said. “People were cheering; people snapping pictures. You were just floating. It was one of those moments in time that you just wanted to freeze.” 

She even pinned on her outfit an Olympic pin for every grandchild, so afterwards we could have a pin that she wore when she ran the torch.  

“It was just so fun,” she said.  

A view from the sidelines

My family watched from the sidelines. Fortunately, there was no tripping, no hair catching fire, and no pants falling down.  

“I was glad I had prepared,” my grandma said.  

She fondly recalled the feeling of togetherness, particularly during the opening ceremony when a torn American flag recovered from the 9/11 wreckage was brought into the stadium.  

“People were just silent,” she said. “It was just surreal. It was one of those unifying moments that we long for now in our country. Hopefully, if we get the Olympics again, it will bring some of that peace and that patriotism and the things that we are missing in this society.”  

At 85, she’s hoping to still be around when the Olympics return to Salt Lake in 2034.  

I asked her if she would run the torch again if she was invited to.  

Her response?  

“I would walk it. I basically walked it then because I didn’t want it to end.”  

KSL 5 TV Live

Olympics

Utah teens wear gas masks and ski goggles at Olympic Cauldron Park during a demonstration in suppor...

Mariah Maynes, KSLNewsRadio

Utah teens lead 2034 Olympics-inspired protest supporting Great Salt Lake

Teen environmental advocates held a protest raising awareness for Great Salt Lake, saying a drying lake could impact the 2034 Olympics.

6 days ago

Sandy Mayor Monica Zoltanski spoke at a ceremonial groundbreaking for the Utah Hockey Club Practice...

Eric Cabrera, KSL NewsRadio

Sandy enhancing facilities in preparation for 2034 Winter Olympics

Salt Lake City isn’t the only one leveraging the 2034 Winter Olympics to enhance its facilities.

11 days ago

The Utah Olympic Oval is pictured in Kearns on Saturday, April 13, 2024. (Kristin Murphy, Deseret N...

Shelby Lofton

World speedskating events set to be hosted in Utah cancelled

The Utah Olympic Oval will no longer host two international events because of an issue with safety equipment. 

15 days ago

A TRAX train displays an Olympic-themed wrap as it transports members of the International Olympic ...

Carter Williams, KSL.com

UTA’s orange line could be operational in time for 2034 Winter Olympics. Here’s its likely route

The future of light rail within Salt Lake City may soon include more service on 400 West and at the University of Utah, as state transit officials seek to expand access in Utah's growing capital.

21 days ago

International Olympic Committee President Thomas Bach shakes hands with figure skater Annabelle Atk...

Hannah Schoenbaum, Associated Press

Could a doping probe strip Salt Lake City of the 2034 Olympics? The IOC president says it’s unlikely

The International Olympic Committee president sought to ease worries that the city could lose its second Olympics if organizers don't fulfill an agreement to play peacemaker between anti-doping authorities.

1 month ago

Fraser Bullock, president of the Salt Lake City-Utah Committee for the Games and IOC President Thom...

Brianna Chavez

International Olympic Committee President wraps up visit to Salt Lake City

International Olympic Committee President Thomas Bach wrapped up his visit to Salt Lake City on Saturday afternoon.

1 month ago

Sponsored Articles

abstract vector digital social network technology background...

Les Olson

Protecting yourself against social engineering attacks

Learn more about the common types of social engineering to protect your online or offline assets from an attack.

family having fun at home...

Lighting Design

Discover the impact of lighting on your mood

From color temperature to lighting saturation, we tackle how different lighting design setups can impact your day-to-day mood.

Laptops in a modern technology store. Department of computers in the electronics store. Choosing a ...

PC Laptops

How to choose the best laptop for college students

Finding the right laptop for college students can be hard, but with this guide we break down what to look for so you can find the best one.

young male technician is repairing a printer at office...

Les Olson

Unraveling the dilemma between leasing and buying office technology

Carefully weigh these pros and cons to make an informed decision that best suits your business growth and day-to-day operation. 

A kitchen in a modern farmhouse....

Lighting Design

A room-by-room lighting guide for your home

Bookmark this room-by-room lighting guide whenever you decide to upgrade your lighting or style a new home.

Photo courtesy of Artists of Ballet West...

Ballet West

The rising demand for ballet tickets: why they’re harder to get

Ballet West’s box office is experiencing demand they’ve never seen before, leaving many interested patrons unable to secure tickets they want.

‘It was just so fun’: 2002 Olympic torchbearer recalls patriotic experience