Banner declares 'Way to go BOB' as Staff Sgt Bob Martin completes Special Olympics Torch Run in 1991

Under "certain pressure" from his Ontario Provincial Police colleagues in the Chapleau detachment that he may be trying to avoid the annual Ontario Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics in 1991, Staff Sgt. Bob Martin agreed to run it early, and  fellow officers decided it needed special attention.

Jennifer (Swanson) David, at the time a young reporter noted that "under certain presssure from his colleagues who accused him of trying to purposefully miss the event, he agreed to do the run early" ahead of the June 11 scheduled date.

Staff Sgt. Martin was going to be on vacation on the date of the run.

"Although he wanted to complete the run with as little publicity as possible, his colleagues decided everyone should know about it."

Accordingly as Staff Sgt. Martin and fellow runner Marshall Canning ran from the Moore Arena on the 2.5 km run, they were followed by a police van with lights flashing. 

As the van passed the cemeteries on Grey Street an ambulance pulled in behind the runners with sirens and flashing lights. On arrival at the separate schools they were met by the press.

The run successfully completed, they were congratulated and posed for photos.

Colleagues from the Chapleau detachment made him a banner which said "Way to go, BOB!"

Jennifer added that although he looked somewhat flusteered by all the attention, he took it in stride and thanked everyone.

Participating in the run at Chapleau were the Ontario Provincial Police, Ministry of Natural Resources and local by-law enforcement.

In 1991 it was the 5th annual Ontario Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics which is an ongoing program of fitness, recreation and sport for people of all ages who have an intellectual disability; a cognitive delay, or a developmental disability, according to its web site.

Jennifer

Jennifer's article noted that the "ultimate goal is that all Ontarians are provided with the opportunity of participation in sport and physical activity."

On a very personal basis, I am most impressed with the program at the Cranbrook Aquatic Centre where I swim almost daily for the past few years, and on one evening a week, the Special Olympics swim program is underway. Participants enter into competitions and over the years have done exceedingly well.

Jennifer, the daughter of Bunny and the late Keith 'Buddy' Swanson of Chapleau is now senior consultant at NVision Insight Group Inc. She holds Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Journalism degrees from Carleton University in Ottawa.

Jennifer, who was communications director at the Aboriginal Peoples Television Network is the author of 'Original People. Original TV. The Launching of the Aboriginal Peoples TV Network.' She is also a member of Chapleau Cree First Nation.  My email is mj.morris@live.ca

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