Charanpreet Kaur waited patiently for her turn to carry the Canada Summer Games Torch outside our studio on St. Mary's Road this morning. 

The 18-year-old was jumping up and down anxiously, playing around with her younger brother and talking to her family, who all came to watch her take part in the Torch Relay. 

"It's pretty exciting because I'm not an athlete so I'm not involved in the summer games but this way I can be involved with the athletes that will be representing Canada in the future," said Kaur. "You can just go online and apply for it so I just decided to do it for fun."

"I didn't think I'd get it, but I did." 

With a police escort, Kaur ran 300 metres down St. Mary's Road before handing the torch off to the next person.

A former competitive swimmer, Kaur said she's volunteering at the Pan-Am Pool during the games. She currently serves as a coach for the Manitoba Marlins. 

The relay began at Memorial Park with Winnipeg sports legend Dancing Gabe Langlois and - in addition to Classic 107 - included stops at the Legislative Building, the Manitoba Children's Museum and the University of Winnipeg.  

 

 

 

"It's an amazing experience," Gabe said at Memorial Park. "I was a torch bearer for the Pan-Am Games 18 summers ago too."

Gabe said he'll be at the Summer Games throughout, both as a volunteer and as a fan. 

"The games are going to be fantastic," said Gabe. "I volunteer too, I do ticket taking at volleyball and basketball." 

Just before departing with the torch, Gabe said spectators will spot him at a number of events cheering on team Manitoba. 

The Canada Summer Games officially get underway July 28 and run until August 13. For a full schedule of events, visit canadagames.ca.