THIS year, 2020, was supposed to be an Olympics year with the games due to be launched in Tokyo in July.
But thanks to Covid 19, they won’t be happening. Instead, the IOC has postponed the games – hopefully – to the middle of next year.
This coming August will mark 20 years since the Olympic Torch, on its way to Sydney 2000, passed through Byron Bay.
The flame started its journey at Olympia in Greece on May 10 that year and started its 100-day Australian journey at Uluru in June.
It wasn’t until Wednesday, August 23 that it arrived at Byron Bay from Lismore.
Thousands of people flocked to the town to be part of the big day and I remember there was a real sense of excitement in the air.
The highlight of the day was to be the Olympic flame being carried to Australia’s most easterly point at Cape Byron. And that’s how it turned out.
The honour of carrying the torch for that historic moment was given to 15-year-old Byron Bay Surf Club champion, Tim Sharman.
It was the moment I wanted to capture for the Byron News.
I knew there would be a parking problem at the cape, so I decided to go to Wategos and walk up to the lighthouse from there.
Carrying my camera bag over my shoulder, I remember the climb to the top was tougher than normal.
There were others who had made the trip to the cape, including real estate agent and one-time wave ski champion, Roger Buck.
I am pictured with Roger below the light waiting for the torch’s arrival.
Naturally, there was a big media contingent there to follow Tim out to the most easterly point and I was one of them.
And I got my shot as you can see above.
I also got another shot of another local torch bearer, former Olympic cyclist (Melbourne 1956) Cliff Burvill with one of nature’s gentlemen, Bangalow’s Frank Scarrabelotti who was 102.
Frank died just before his 109th birthday.
The Olympic Torch was later carried to Ballina where it stayed that night before continuing its journey to Sydney where it was carried into the Olympic stadium on September 15 with Cathy Freeman lighting the Olympic Flame.
. What are your memories of the day the Olympic Torch came to town? This photo below shows the torch being carried along Lawson Street.
My father Brian Gooley also carried the torch.