The competition has begun to become one of 3,600 people from around the globe who’ll carry a torch in the relay for this year’s Athens Olympics.
A small number of New York City residents – perhaps 120 or so – are expected to participate in the event here on June 19.
Mayor Bloomberg opened the nominating process yesterday on his weekly radio show.
The mayor said New York is one of only 34 cities in the world – and four in the U.S. – asked to take part. Nominators are being asked to submit essays by Feb. 23 explaining how the prospective torch carrier embodies the Olympic tradition.
“We are seeking nominations for people who have inspired their fellow New Yorkers and have made meaningful contributions to their community,” said the mayor.
The odds are Olympian against winning one of the coveted spots. The city has been allotted only one-third of some 120 positions.
Brian Stokes Mitchell of “Man of La Mancha,” who took part in the 2000 torch relay, pronounced his run “one of the most fun things I’ve ever done” when he joined Bloomberg on the radio program.
“All of New York shows up on the streets. They’re hanging out on the corners, yelling and screaming,” Mitchell said.