As the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris moves into its final week, Wimberley resident Bob Slider remembers what it was like to carry the Olympic flame for the Winter 2002 Olympics in Salt Lake City. From his home in Woodcreek, Mr. Slider and his wife Betty Jo share the story of his participation in the historical event.
“The moment Bob learned that torchbearers were being sought in Amarillo, he was very excited and told me that he wanted to apply for the honor,” said Betty Jo. After sending multiple letters of recommendation to sponsors Chevrolet and Coca Cola, he was selected to light his torch from another torchbearer and run it a quarter mile through Amarillo. After completing the two a.m. run, he passed the flame to another torch which was to be carried by train to Colorado. “It was a very exciting honor to represent the United States in the Olympics this way,” said Bob, who lifted the torch again, showing how he carried it on that cold night in Amarillo.
Modeled after an icicle with a slight curve to represent speed and fluidity, it measures 33 inches long, 3 inches wide at the top and 0.5 inches at the bottom. Inscribed on it is the 2002 Olympic theme, “Light the Fire Within.”
Bob was one of 12,012 Americans who participated in the 65-day torch relay that began in the U.S. on December 4 and ended February 8, where it was transferred to the opening ceremony of the 2002 Winter Olympics at Rice-Eccles Stadium in Utah. The 2002 relay was also the 50th anniversary of the Winter Olympic torch relay which was first run during the 1952 Winter Olympics.
The relay of the Olympic flame ceremonially began on November 19, 2001, with the traditional kindling of the flame in Olympia, Greece. On December 3, Greek skier Thanassis Tsailas lit the first torch from the cauldron, and transferred its flame to a ceremonial lantern for transport to Atlanta, where it arrived on December 4 to officially launch the U.S. leg of the relay. The route covered 13,500 miles and passed through 300 communities in 46 states. Not only was the torch carried by runners, it was also transported by skiers, motor vehicles, aircraft, boats, canoes and bicycles.
An optometrist who practiced in Odessa for 45 years, Bob is now retired. He and Betty Jo moved to Wimberley in 2013, after making several trips to visit Bob’s college roommate who had a home on Wayside Drive. The couple adopted twins and raised a third child who came along after the twins. Bob served on the Odessa city council for eight years, and both he and Betty Jo were widely involved in the community, volunteering for the Cub Scouts, the Parent Teachers Association, their church and other organizations.
When asked what his favorite Olympic sport is, Bob said, “I don’t have a favorite sport, but my favorite part of the Olympics is when the Star Spangled Banner plays and I love watching the athletes receive their awards.”
