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 John and Sherene Davidson share a moment when it was announced yesterday at city hall in London, Ont., that John Davidson was chosen as the torchbearer for the Olympic flame. (QMI/Susan Bradnam) |
LONDON. Ont. -- John Davidson walked across Canada for his son, Jesse.
Tomorrow, the former London broadcaster will carry the Olympic flame into Victoria Park in Jesse's name.
Chosen as an Olympic torch-bearer, 29-year-old Jesse never got to fulfil his dream to carry the flame: He died last month after a long battle with Duchenne muscular dystrophy.
Yesterday, ending weeks of speculation, organizers announced John Davidson will run the torch the last leg of its journey into the park before a community celebration.
"(Jesse) thought this was a thrilling opportunity for people to meet other people, to share as Canadians and to be proud of where we live," John Davidson said at a news conference.
In 1995 Davidson set out on Jesse's Journey, pushing his son 3,339 km in a wheelchair across Ontario to raise money and awareness of Duchenne.
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A fatal genetic disorder, it's a rapidly developing form of muscular dystrophy affecting 19,000 Canadians.
The disease affects mainly males.
Three years after their cross-Ontario trek, John Davidson walked 8,000 kilometres across Canada in a 286-day mission -- again, to raise awareness and money to help fight Duchenne.
So far, Jesse's Journey -- a foundation set up to fund medical research -- has raised more than $10 million to fight Duchenne.
Jesse's mother, Sherene, said her son loved the Olympics.
"I don't think he ever imagined he would ever get the chance to be a torchbearer," she said. "He thought it was so amazing."
London Mayor Anne Marie DeCicco-Best said the torch selection committee was looking for someone who represented all ages and the spirit of the Olympics.
Jesse's selection was unanimous, DeCicco-Best said.
"John and Jesse embody our city of London values," she said. "Jesse knew before he passed away that he was going to be a torchbearer and he was very happy about that.
"John believed that this would be something he could do to honour his son."
Davidson will carry the torch from city hall to the bandshell in Victoria Park at 3:30 p.m.
"I'm really the fill-in guy in this one -- he'll be on my mind," Davidson said.