Former athlete thrilled to carry torch
By GLEN PARKER (From the Chronicle Herald)
Sat. Nov 21 - 4:46 AM
Dreams do come true.
Charbel Rouhana, 24, once imagined competing in the Olympic Games as a wrestler.
A car accident in September 2005 ended that ambition.
But his dream of being a part of the 2010 Olympics in Vancouver became a reality Friday when Mr. Rouhana triumphantly carried the Olympic torch into his hometown of Windsor.
Surrounded by former King’s-Edgehill School classmates, teachers, family, friends and supporters, the rugged former wrestling and rugby star was visibly elated by the special opportunity to participate in the torch relay.
"This is the best day of my life. I love you all," he yelled out to the crowd.
Left in a coma after the accident, family and friends never left his side. Mr. Rouhana’s father, Chaker, and mother, Norma, worked tirelessly with their son, and the
family was rewarded in December 2006 when he came out of the coma.
His King’s-Edgehill coach, Kim Walsh, was on hand Friday to cheer on his former star athlete.
"Charbel was one of the best athletes our school has ever had. He wrestled at the national level and was recruited by Simon Fraser University. He made an amazing recovery after the accident," Mr. Walsh said.
"Our entire school will be out supporting Charbel and Mallory Sanford, our other torch runner."
Now able to get around with the help of a wheelchair, Mr. Rouhana delivered a short and poig- nant message to the crowd gathered for the relay Friday morning.
"You only have one life. Live it to the fullest," he said.
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