ONE MOMENT IN TIME Torchbearer Pamela Lacken, from Ballina is pictured waving to the crowd while carrying the Olympic Flame during the 2012 Olympic Torch Relay through the streets of Dublin last week.?Pic: Ray McManus
Ballina woman carries the flame
Ciara Galvin
A Ballina woman was selected to carry the Olympic torch during its relay in Dublin last week. Pamela Lacken, a native of Ballina, who now resides in Co Clare was selected for the honour along with three other Special Olympics representatives, Gary O’Brien (Special Olympics athlete), Alva Nolan (Special Olympics volunteer) and Garda Brian Brunton (An Garda Síochána and Special Olympics Law Enforcement Torch Run Committee member).
Ms Lacken, a volunteer with Special Olympics Ireland, volunteered at last year’s Games in Athens and was an aquatics volunteer at the 2010 Special Olympics Ireland Games.
Speaking to The Mayo News, Regional Director for Special Olympics Connaught Myra Merrick described the proceedings as ‘a fantastic occasion’ and ‘a symbolic day’.
Ms Merrick saw the four representatives relay the torch on Wednesday last. “It was a gorgeous day and it was fantastic to see our representatives and their families enjoy the occasion so much,. It was a day Pamela will remember for the rest of her life,” she said.
Ms Lacken was one of 200 winners from 1,700 nominations in the Lloyds Banking Group’s ‘Making a Difference’ Awards Campaign in the UK, and she currently volunteers with Ennis Eagles Bowling Club.