The keeper of the flame; Corner Brook native a major part of Olympic Torch security squad CORNER BROOK CHRIS QUIGLEY The Western Star

Corner Brook native Rob Sweetland will be spending a lot of time with the Olympic flame up until the opening ceremonies in Vancouver, B.C. on Feb. 12. — Submitted photo

A lot is made of the 12,000-plus torchbearers that will combine to run the 45,000-kilometre journey across Canada leading up to the 2010 Winter Games in Vancouver.

Less glamourized in all the hoopla is the five-man team that will be with each and every torchbearer every step of the way for a total of 106 days until the opening ceremonies on Feb. 12 at B.C. Place.

One of those people just happens to be Corner Brook native Rob Sweetland, who is now a Royal Canadian Mounted Police sergeant with the Island district administrative detachment in Victoria, B.C.

Their job is not just to tag along, not by a long shot. These five police officers are the keepers of the flame and are not to let it out of their sight at anytime during the trek. Ever.  They are even required to take turns taking it into their hotel rooms overnight in a lantern, literally sleeping with the Olympic flame.

“We are responsible for the integrity of the flame which is contained in a series of lanterns,” said Sweetland, who has actually already departed on the journey and responded to The Western Star’s questions via email while flying into Whitehorse, YT.  “The flame is sacred and there are many protocols that must be followed. The first torch of the day is lit from one of the lanterns. That flame is passed from torch to torch. After the last torch of the day, the flame is transferred back into the lantern. We then secure the lanterns overnight in our hotel rooms.”

After originally applying to be a runner, who are divided into three teams covering east, central and western Canada, organizers were blown away by Sweetland’s resume, especially his experience in running, tactical and bodyguarding experience and thought he could be of even greater service.

“I was asked to assist in the creation of the operational plan for the relay,” said Sweetland. “As a result, I was asked to be a security commander for the entire event. I am still able to get out there and run with the torchbearers.

“I’m definitely excited,” he continued. “I spent half my life in Corner Brook and half on Vancouver Island. This relay is like connecting the two worlds together for me.”

The job didn’t require much in the way of fitness training, at least not for Sweetland, who has been competing in triathlons since 1982. His 20-year-old daughter Kirsten is currently a celebrated triathlete for Canada in her own right and will likely be competing at the 2012 Olympic Summer Games in London, after missing the 2008 Games in Beijing due to an injury.

“I have always maintained my fitness and have not had to do much different to prepare for this challenge,” he said. “I started triathlon in 1982 at the first Corner Brook Mini Ironman. I found it hard to believe that this past summer was the 25th anniversary of my win at the first-ever St. John’s Triathlon.”

Sweetland, who gets back to Corner Brook about every three years, originally left the city in 1984 to finish his final two years of university in St. John’s, before heading to RCMP training in January of 1986.

Leaving home wasn’t necessarily easy for him back then and, now having to be on the road for 106 consecutive days, it wasn’t easy to leave people behind this time either.

“Without question, the toughest part of this trip will be missing Christmas with my wife and two daughters,” he said. “Having been on our own for 23 years and developing our own traditions, it will be tough to leave them on their own. We did have an actual Christmas dinner before I departed Victoria last week with Christmas crackers and all.”

Though the Olympic Torch relay is widely seen in a positive, patriotic light, there are always those looking to get controversial messages across during such a global spectacle, which Sweetland is all too aware of.

“I like to think that I am an optimist,” he said. “Though I expected some protest groups to use the torch relay as a medium to gain publicity, I did expect a lot of public support. I can say, however, I have been overwhelmed by the outpouring of patriotism I have seen thus far. I have never seen so many Canadian flags, or everyday people singing “Oh Canada” at the top of their lungs, it has been a truly emotional experience.

“The many aboriginal ceremonies we have experienced have been heartwarming,” he continued. “It has just begun and the momentum seems to be building. As a police officer, being associated to positive media stories is a rare, but welcome, thing. I think it is what we all strive for.”