Amy Latimer is going to satisfy her burning desire to take part in the Paralympic Games.

The School of Kinesiology Assistant Professor has been selected to carry the Paralympic torch when the relay makes its way through Toronto on Friday.

“It’s a real honour,” Professor Latimer says. “I’ve always wanted to go to the Olympics and now I’m taking part.”

She believes she was picked to carry the flame because her research focuses on promoting sports for people with disabilities. Professor Latimer (along with Queen’s Professor Mary Ann McColl, and Karen Smith  and Maureen McGuire of St. Mary of the Lake Hospital) also started Revved Up, an exercise program for adults living with mobility impairment. Most of the volunteers are Queen’s students.

The Paralympic Torch relay starts on Wednesday in Ottawa and finishes in Vancouver for the start of the Games from March 12 to 21.
Watching the Olympics has made her more excited about carrying the flame and Professor Latimer is especially happy to see Paralympians getting a lot of exposure during the Games.

“CTV had Rick Hansen on TV doing profiles and the captain of the sledge hockey team has been featured in ads, so they are really try to integrate Paralympians into Olympic television coverage,” says Professor Latimer. “They are trying to raise the profile and that’s impressive.”

Professor Latimer will be running with the torch for about 300 metres and her parents and boyfriend will be cheering her on.

“I do run regularly but I’ll have to practice running slower to make the 300 metres last as long as possible.”