Lillehammer

This is a very unusual torch: a long-arched stick made of birch wood, a tribute to Norwegian nature, with a metal end to symbolize modern technology. To reach Norway I traveled through several countries including Germany, passing also through Cologne, where I burned in a cauldron in memory of my "dad" Carl Diem, the inventor of the Olympic relay, Denmark, Finland, and Sweden before reaching Norway. During the opening ceremony, I was even passed through the hands of a ski jumper who literally flew before handing me over to Prince Haakon of Norway, dressed in traditional clothes from the Telemark region. This edition of the Games was significant for many reasons, including the performances of Manuela Di Centa and Stefania Belmondo from Italy. Additionally, the four-man bobsled team from Bosnia-Herzegovina consisted of one Croat, one Serb, and two Bosnians, in a perfect example of Olympic spirit.