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WINONA LAKE - He will walk instead of run tomorrow, bearing the 2002 Olympic Torch in the nationwide relay.
David Hook is an amputee and this special exception has been granted to him while he carries the 33-inch high moving symbol of the Olympics. Constructed of silver, copper and brass, the torch weighs three pounds.
His relay begins in South Bend on Ind. 31N (Michigan Street) at 10:53 a.m.
Beginning at the WNDU-TV advertising sign, Hook will carry the torch for two-tenths of a mile, the standard distance, to Our Lady of Fatima Church.
Hook was nominated by his youngest daughter, Amy Barchini of Syracuse. He had no idea he would participate in preliminary Olympic events until the official package arrived.
"I'm very thrilled," he said of the honor.
Hook admitted he's never been especially interested in the Olympics, labeling himself more of an auto enthusiast.
Today the flame travels a 16-mile path through Fort Wayne, carried by 80 torch bearers in the Summit City.
Lit Nov. 19 in Olympia, Greece, the flame reached the United States Dec. 4. This year's relay is considered the most extensive and far-reaching since the tradition began in 1935.
Hook is one of 11,500 torchbearers participating in the event.
The 6.8-mile route through South Bend is part of the Olympic torch's 13,500-mile circuitous route, which began in Atlanta, Ga., and will end Feb. 8 in Salt Lake City, site of the 2002 Winter Olympics.
Arriving in South Bend around 9 a.m. from Fort Wayne, the torch's path begins at Douglas and Juniper, traveling south on Juniper and Eddy streets, west on Jefferson to Main Street, north on Scott, east on Washington to the Century Center and then north on Michigan Street (Ind. 933) to the toll road, where it will leave for Chicago.
