East York’s Michael Crawford, 51, is chosen one of the Pan Am Games torch bearers
East York runner and family man Michael Crawford, 51, will be among the bearers of the Pan Am Torch. That symbolic flame was unveiled yesterday at the Ontario Science Centre. Mr Crawford will participate in carrying the torch across the country. About 3,000 such bearers will each cover a 200-metre segment during the 41-day torch relay. Mr. Crawford was selected as a torch bearer after he applied online and wrote in his submission about how important sports is to him. He said the mentality of sports about having the will to win helped him overcome an illness he experienced six years ago. His children are also active with his 12-year-old daughter a keen snowboarder. A 14-year-old son recently won a medal in a national snowboarding competition in Quebec.“Sports is a very important thing in our family,” said Crawford. He said he was honoured to be chosen to run in the torch relay. Triathlete Simon Whitfield, who won medals in both the Olympic and Pan Am Games, will also be one of the torchbearers. He participated in the Vancouver Olympic Games. Officials at the ceremony were: Toronto Mayor John Tory, Ontario Premier Kathleen Wynne, and TO2015 Board Chair David Peterson
