Texas Tech University - La Ventana Yearbook (Lubbock, TX)

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1 ech begins ceremoiiY Longest relay in history comes to Lubbock The Olympic torch ' s 82-day relay through the United States, which began May 8 in New York City and ended July 28 in Los Angeles Me- morial Coliseum, left sparks of pat- riotism and competition burning be- hind it. By the time the torch reached its destination in LA. Americans who were touched along the trail were ablaze with the Olympic spirit. The 9,000-mile Olympic relay from Greece to LA. the longest re- lay in Olympic history, included in its trek. Lubbock. Texas. The relay originally was sched- uled to come through the Panhandle north of Amarillo. said Liz Montag- na of AT T. The path was changed to include Lubbock, she said, be- cause more enthusiasm was gener- ated here. The Telephone Pioneers of Amer- ica, a service organization for AT T employees who have been in service for 17 years or more, were the sponsors of the American leg of the worldwide relay. The torch, which entered Texas north of Dallas, passed through Dal- las and Fort Worth before coming to Lubbock. Coming down Texas Highway 114. the runners carried the torch through Olney. Dickens, Crosbyton. Idalou, Ralls and Lorenzo before reaching Lubbock. Lubbock was the last major city in Texas that the torch passed through. Montagna said. Along the route, local runners who had raised and donated $3,000 to area youth organizations were permitted to carry the torch for one kilometer. The national theme of the torch run was Legacy for the Future, Montagna said. The idea was an in- vestment in our country s youth. Four of the runners who partici- pated June 16 when the torch passed through Lubbock were Special Olympians Kim Carter. 12: Jimmy Balmer. 14; Eric Pipes. 14; and John Skipper, 12. Each ran one kilometer carrying the torch. Montagna said. The torch ended its Lubbock trail at the Lubbock County Court- house on Broadway and Texas Ave- nue. The arrival of the torch at that spot was signaled with waving flags and helium balloons. The Texas Tech band played, beginning the ceremony to honor the runners and the Olympics. With the presentation of colors at the ceremony. Tom Jones. AT T vice president for external affairs, presented a Los Angeles Olympic Committee Flag to the city of Lub- bock. Lubbock was one of only three cities in the nation that was Sieve Mahre takes the gold medal in the giant slalom skiing event. The U.S. won four gold medals and four silver at the Winter Games. ; ■4-tff, 20 — Olympics

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Fashion — 19

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Rec Center has run on dav of torch arrival presented with the Hag, Montagna said. Following the ceremony at the courthouse, there was a reception in the Chamber of Commerce confer- ence room to honor the runners. The same day the torch passed through Lubbock, Montagna said, the Tech Student Recreation Center sponsored an Olympics Torch Relay Fun Run. Tech students involvement in the 1984 Olympics didn ' t end with parades and receptions and fun runs. Several students trekked to Los Angeles to view the games in person. Julia Koncak, a Tech basketball player, traveled to LA to see her brother play on the U.S. basketball team. Koncak, who hopes to play in the ' 88 Games, said she was im- pressed by the widespread pro- USA atmosphere. People from the other countries even noticed it, she said. The best thing about the trip, Koncak said, was to see what gold looks like up close! — Jane Qitinn During the Summer Olympics, the United States won 83 gold medals. 61 silver and 30 bronze. Carl Lewis won four gold medals in the lOO-meterdash, the 200-meter dash, the 4x100 meter relay, and the longjump. Many communist countries boycotted the Olym- pics. Mary Lou Retton won the all-around gold medal and led the gymnastics team to a silver medal. She also won bronze medals for the floor exercise and the uneven parallel bars and took a silver medal for the vault. Area residents take turns carrying the torch through Lubbock on its way to Los Angeles for t he opening ceremony. The national theme of the torch was Legacy for the Fu- ture. Olympics — 21