As proclaimed by Wenatchee Mayor Dennis Johnson and retold by city councilman Don Gurnard, "Olympic movement has built a more peaceful and better world by educating young people through amateur athletics, by bringing together athletes from many countries in friendly competition, and by forging new relationships bound by friendship, solidarity, and fair play."

    Of the 51 participants who ran or walked the 1/2 mile course along the Apple Capital Loop Trail, most were children.  A ceremonial baton was handed from councilman Gurnard to Maher, then Stump and onto the participants in the event.

    Prior to their departure, Maher and Stump talked one-on-one with the children about their experience at the international level and what it takes to be an Olympian.  The most common question among the wide-eyed juveniles present had to do with falling and how much it hurts.

    Maher has been known to offer his '84 Gold Medal to groups to auction off as a fundraiser.  Of course, he gets it back after a period of time.  He relayed his experience of working so hard to win the gold and how special it was to hear the Star Spangled Banner played during the medal ceremony.

    Stump says she hopes to be there some day as well.  She is competing on the world stage as a snowboarder and is proud to call the Wenatchee Valley her home and to be able to train at Mission Ridge.

    Olympic Day was also a chance for a local marketing group to highlight its efforts to promote North Central Washington during the Winter Games in Vancouver, B.C.  E3NCW has been focusing marketing on the Vancouver area, searching for those wanting to "Escape" during the Olympic Games.  The marketing up and down the I-5 corridor in Western Washington, the Washington State Ferries and Sea-Tac Airport is also aimed at inviting visitors to "Explore" North Central Washington and "Enjoy" what they find when they get here.  Information can be found at www.E3NCW.com.