Local businesswoman struts her stuff in Olympic Torch Relay
JOSHUA PAGÉ The Prince Albert Daily Herald
Mickey Fedorko originally thought she would simply walk her 300-metre-long portion of the Olympic Torch Relay.
But her adrenalin and the relay's excitement quickly changed that plan.
"It's like when you see the next guy (to carry the flame), it's just way too short. You feel like you could be like Forrest Gump and just keep running with it," said the Prince Albert resident with a laugh.
Fedorko, co-owner-operator of three McDonald's restaurants, was chosen by McDonald's to be a torchbearer. It was an opportunity she jumped at.
"I was very excited to start ... but it never hit me hard until I got there," she said.
Fedorko ran Saturday at 7:40 p.m. in downtown Nanaimo.
The atmosphere was loaded with excitement, and she was the 149th runner on the second day of the relay in Canada.
Torchbearers were asked by organizers what it meant to them to take up the Olympic flame and told they should embrace the rare, privileged occasion.
Fedorko was widowed at a young age when her first husband died of cancer. She is a cancer survivor.
"I am thankful for every day that I feel good and have good health, and so I think that was a lot of what the hope theme was for me," she said.
Once it was her turn with the torch, off she went.
"You think, 'I am just going to walk,' but the people are cheering and there is so much excitement that you start to run," she said.
Once reunited with her group, the buzz in the air remained.
"Everybody is just really taken over by what they just experienced," said Fedorko. It's just that little slight touch of fame you get for a second."
Only torchbearers are offered the chance to purchase their torch for $350. McDonald's paid for Fedorko's torch, which still has a layer of soot on it. She doesn't plan on wiping it off either, because "you'll never get the soot from the Olympic fire again," she said.
The torch touches down in Prince Albert on Jan. 11.
Torch facts
The relay lasts more than 100 days and will travel more than 45,000 kilometres.
There are 12,000 torchbearers in total.
Torchbearers carrying the flame will visit more than 1,000 communities and places of interest.
Local resident Tim Strom will be carrying the torch on Jan. 12, and will find out where specifically before the end of the year.
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Rin Tin Tin from P.A, Sk. writes: What does selling Big Macs and other junk food to the vulnerable public have to do with the spirit of the olympics?
If been selected to carry the torch is somehow tied to living a clean healthy life style, I cannot see where the connection with a quarter-pounder ties in - especially with all of the obesity and poor eating habits/life style amongst our population.
I would havve rather seen an old retired milkman or a whole wheat farmer selected for the honour.
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b from sk writes: Good for you Mickey. I have seen your drive, enthusiasm and devotion to community in person and you have my full admiration.
I have also witnessed how your encouragement of young people to strive for personal betterment aided in the building of positive self esteem. ANd you did all this for no accolades, not for notoriety and never for your own benifit.
You have picked up the umployable and gave them hope, gave them vision for a life.
I am proud you are in my community and I am proud of you for what you have given. Running the torch should prove to be symbolic of your strength of character. Please know this warms my heart to see your face smiling for you this time and not smiling for the good you see in others.
Keep doing what you do, rise above and don't compromise yourself.
Way to go kiddo!
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Allan from Saskatchewan writes: Congratulations, Mickey....You are, in my mind, Prince Albert's Good Will Ambassador and you do our community proud. b from sask said it well and here is the proof that you are a great person. Sadly, people like Rin Tin Tin from P.A, Sk. need a life....obviously he has no clue about corporate sponsorships or community minded people such as yourself. Well done, Mickey!
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amazed from sk writes: Great job Mickey, you should be proud and honoured. You do great things for the community as a whole. Rin Tin Tin, very bluntly is an idiot, his or her blogs are somewhat entertaining in a idiotic way, but lack intelligence.
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Dennis from Prince Albert, Sask writes: Mickey could have been selected for many reasons. Prince Albert McDonald's is an excellent Corporate Citizen of Prince Albert. The business employs many people, both young and elderly. Prince Albert McDonald's is a friendly environment where people are always welcome to just sit relax and have a coffee. Prince Albert McDonald's is a generous business that always gives to all projects in the Prince Albert area. Prince Albert McDonald's adjusts its work schedule to allow its employees to take part in extra-curricular programs in schools, do homework and write Final Exams. It is a model corporation because of the leadership of its owner Mickey and Mike Federko. Prince Albert is lucky to have business people like the Federko's. Congratualtions Mickey, we are proud of your accomplishment.
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Unbelievable from BC writes: Rin Tin Tin's comments are proof you can't Vaccinate for stupid!
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Rin from Sk. writes: Hey all you naysayers..get back in your trailer and brush that tooth after eating that stuff your hero serves.
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Kim from SK. writes: THe Village Idiot Strikes Again.
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b from sk writes: Guys, please don't feed the troll....he will go away when the nice human's don't toss him peanuts.
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Mike from sk writes: Rint tin tin ....... You make some nice points ................ unfortunately they are from the shadow the tip of your head casts .
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Rin Tin Tin from Sk. writes: I was going to say I was sharris just to get another angry soul on board and in play.
Listen Kim, I really resent being called the village idiot as I have lived in the city most of my life; I have not lived here all of my life because I am not dead yet... haha
Being called a Troll's ok though.
On Mike's suggestion that I have a pointy head, I'm not sure, but I think you are trying to be complementary.
Listen folks, I've got a really good idea... Why don't you get together and petition the IOCC and anyone else with a say to have good old Rin carry the torch rather than that Mickey woman from Mickey-D's. Good Lord, she already gets enough accolades and publicity - if you keep it up, it will go straight to her head and you will ruin an otherwise good woman!!
Think about it before blowing off - That means you too Kim and b.
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sharris from PA, SK writes: Rin Tin chicken $hit Tin isnt smart enuff to hold anything, including a smart thought, and especially something as dangerous as a torch. You would probably catch the glue bag your sniffing on fire and burn down your block. And then it would be the fire halls fault because no one got there fast enuff etc etc. I really hope one day to meet you.
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Rin Tin Tin from Sk. writes: Hey there sharris, if you want to swim in the big tank, better start talking like the big fish instead of your inane semi-lierate profanities and idle threats. Grab onto some basic literacy.
By the way, the topic is about the Olympic Torch and whose carrying it, not you and me.
You must be skipping out on those anger management classes again.
On your last comment; I really hope one day to meet you., can you please clarify in your reply what you actually mean by that or what you plan to do I suppose you plan to give me a big kissn and have me over for a bar-be-que.
I have rached the point where I think my craftiness, brilliance and way with words is annoying all of you.
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Cass from sk writes: Listen Rin Tin Tin. You obviously dont know what your talking about. Obestiy is a definate problem in our society. But does mcdonalds shove the food down their throats? NO. Its a matter of choice. I have worked for mickey and Mike for a number of years and of all the people in Prince Albert or in the province for that matter she deserved it the MOST. You dont know about them or anything obviosly. So put a kork in it and put your opionion somewhere where it counts.
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sharris from PA, SK writes: Rin, your exactly right, this wasn't about me or you. But like every other story you comment on, you make it about yourself and then pull everyone else in with your insane ramblings. It was you who mentioned my name in an above comment, and it was you who said we should petition the IOCC to have you carry the torch, so my comments were bang on with what was being talked about. If you weren't such a simpleton, you'd see that.
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Rin from Sk. writes: Good point sharris ... i now see the light.
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CONGRAT MICKEY from Prince Albert, SASKATCHEWAN writes: I think its Fantastic to have Mickey carry the torch... after all she has been throught she deserves it... i mean if being able to see someone you love succumb to cancer and then having to go through it yourself... is an amazing test to the courage, strength and hope that one individual can possess... and that's what the Olympics are about for the athletes and for the Country... i dont see how her being apart of the Mcdonald's Franchise has anything to do with that.. and I think its in poor taste to demean this oppourtunity because if it.....
McDonalds is a sponsor of the olympics and olympic althletes... should we now tell them they can not compete because people who eat at mcdonald's could become obese????
Congrats Mickey!!!! The fact that you have been through so much and can still smile is a true inspiration! You are a fantastic Ambassador for Prince Albert!
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