South Gate, Hamilton Runners in Olympic Torch Relay

Humberto Sanchez of South Gate High and Genevieve DeBose of Hamilton High participated in the Olympic Torch Relay Feb. 5, part of a 5,000-mile relay that ended Saturday at the Winter Olympic opening ceremonies in Lillehammer, Norway.

Sanchez, 18, and DeBose, 16, both seniors, were two of five U.S. runners chosen by the International Torch Bearers program, which included participants from outside the host country for the first time at the Winter Games.

But rather than his 500-meter leg on the 7,000-person relay, his first exposure to subfreezing weather or his first airplane flight, Sanchez said the friendships he developed were the most memorable part of his four-day trip.

“It was a whole new experience,” Sanchez said. “It was a great honor to meet the other runners, and we stuck together like one big family. That’s the one thing I do remember.”

DeBose, who lives in South-Central, was impressed by the cultural diversity she encountered: “The Norwegians spoke a lot of English and some spoke a little Spanish but I was able to communicate with runners from Japan who did not speak English. I learned you don’t have to speak the same language to become friends.”

DeBose and Sanchez were selected to participate in the Olympic Torch Relay after their performances in the City Section cross-country finals last November. DeBose became her school’s first runner to win the title. Participating in his first season of cross-country, Sanchez finished second in the boys’ race and went on to place 11th in the State Division I finals--the highest finish ever by a South Gate runner.