The streets were not lined.
The Salt Lake 2002 Olympic Torch Relay stopped in Evanston early — really early — Saturday morning on its path from the city to the northern suburbs.
At 6:37 a.m., a scattered crowd followed the torchbearer as she entered Evanston on Sheridan Road, continued north to Central Street, then headed west to Ryan Field. Hundreds greeted the torchbearer outside the football stadium, where she stopped for a 15-minute break. From there the torch went on to Wilmette.
The Olympic torch changed hands every .2 miles, and 165 Chicago-area residents carried it. Each torchbearer held the flame for a few minutes. But during those minutes, he or she was the only person in the world carrying the flame without which the Olympic games cannot start.
The 2002 Olympic Torch Relay began on Dec. 4 in Atlanta after the flame was lit in Greece and flown to the United States. The torch will arrive in Salt Lake City on Feb. 8 after being carried 13,500 miles by more than 11,500 torchbearers.
Each torchbearer wore a white jogging suit with a blue logo. A shuttle bus carrying the torchbearers closely followed the torch. When it was time to change, the new torchbearer burst from the bus and ran to catch up to his relay partner, who was jogging with the torch. In front of the torch, Coca-Cola representatives passed out flags and soft drinks, trying to excite the small crowd.
Dan Keats, 28, of Chicago, carried the torch along Sheridan Road by The Arch. Keats, the brother of Medill junior Sandra Keats, was nominated by his co-workers at General Motors Auto Works.
Keats said before the event he had two goals: not to light anyone on fire and not to trip and fall.
Another torchbearer in Evanston, Princeton Vaughns, of Oak Park, said he was nominated by his co-workers for his cooperative behavior and for bringing new ideas to the job at General Motors Warehouse in Broadview, Ill.
“The Olympics really fascinate me,” Vaughns said.
For torchbearer William Kupisch, 47, of Downers Grove, carrying the flame will have an impact on other areas of his life. Kupisch, a counselor and cross country and track coach at Downers Grove North High School, carried the flame on Central Street in Evanston. He plans to incorporate his experience of carrying the torch while instructing his students and runners.
Kupisch was nominated to carry the flame by his students, friends and family. His supporters started the nomination process last spring. Kupisch was completely surprised when he received a package during July 2001 that said he was selected to carry the torch.
A large crowd gathered on Central Street to cheer for Kupisch. Among those present was his daughter, Megan. The 18-year-old said many people at school love her father.
“I have to brag for him,” said Megan Kupisch, a senior at Downers Grove North. “He is just really humble.”
During the break at Ryan Field, the crowd sang “God Bless America.”
Evanston resident Barbara Marino, 40, and her daughter Nora, 12, were at Ryan field. Both were excited the Olympic torch came to Evanston. Nora Marino, whose favorite winter Olympic events are skiing and ice skating, said seeing the flame was worth waking up early on a Saturday morning.
