Only in Wimberley does a town this small count among its citizens not one, but two torchbearers for the 2002 Olympic Winter Games in Salt Lake City. Janette Barlow, a lifelong educator, athlete and coach, was one of the 77 central Texans honored to carry the torch. Earlier this month, the Wimberley View ran an article about Bob Slider’s own experience in Amarillo.
Barlow, who deeply adheres to living a life of service, is modest about the honor. To this day, she doesn’t know exactly who nominated her for the privilege but one of her colleagues at the Collin County Independent School District remembered a remark she made and submitted her name.
Ten years passed and Barlow moved to Wimberley, retiring after a 42-year career, half of which was spent as an Oak Hill principal. She was not really prepared for the letter that arrived in her mailbox telling her that she had been nominated.
When the formal announcement came that she would indeed be a torchbearer, she was astonished. In a 2001 article written by then Wimberley View Editor, Charles McClure, she said, “I was almost in disbelief. It was so unreal that it had happened.”
In true educator fashion, Barlow explained during an interview last week with the Wimberley View how the Olympic flame was born in the temple of Hera, the queen of the gods in Greek mythology. In a crucible filled with dry grass angled toward the sun, a parabolic mirror focused the sun’s rays until the grass caught fire. The flame was then carried to a public ceremony and handed to the first runner.
“The primary Olympic ideal is to unify nations, cultures and communities to embrace the community of humankind.” According to Olympic literature, the Torch Relay doesn’t represent the passing of a torch, but celebrates the passing of the flame from one torch to the next. It’s a subtle distinction but a crucial one. By passing the flame from one person to another in stages, the relay symbolizes the handing down of spirit, knowledge and life from generation to generation. How fitting for this educator.
TODAY, BARLOW HOLDS THE TORCH IN HER HOME FILLED WITH MEMENTOS OF HER LONG CAREER, EXTENSIVE TRAVEL AND DEDICATED VOLUNTEERISM. PHOTO BY TERESA KENDRICK
“Its journey across America serves as a catalyst, motivating individuals to strive for being the best that we can be in each of our lives. I felt it to be a symbol representing peace and hope for the future of humanity,” she said.
Barlow’s run began on December 11, at 5:59 p.m. along William Cannon Road in Austin. Wearing official Olympic gear, she ran her allotted route, about one fifth of a mile, holding the torch aloft. At three pounds and nearly a yard long, Barlow conditioned herself by holding weights straight out from her body for increasing lengths of time.
After completing her run, Janette Barlow joined the ranks of the 11,500 torch bearers who carried the Olympic flame 13,500 miles across America to the Winter games. In many ways it echoes her career of inspiring children to find their strengths and “go for it.”
Today, Barlow said the run wasn’t just about her. “I might have physically carried the torch, but many, many people ran alongside me in support of the Olympic ideals.”
At 85, she continues her expansive volunteer work and quietly champions people and causes. Before the interview wrapped up, I photographed her holding a quote by Henry Drummond, a 19th century Scottish evangelist, biologist and writer, that she finds especially meaningful. “I shall pass through this world but once. Any good therefore that I can do or any kindness that I can show to any human being, let me do it now. Let me not defer or neglect it, for I shall not pass this way again.
AT A LIVELY AFTERPARTY, JANETTE SYMBOLICALLY REENACTS THE LIGHTING OF THE OLYMPIC FLAME. SUBMITTED PHOTO
