Pan Am torch passes through Winnipeg on way to Toronto

Sixteen years after the last Pan Am Games in Canada, the flame returned to Winnipeg Monday while en route to Toronto.

The 2015 Torch Relay, now on day 23 of 41, started at City Hall and wove through downtown before ending at The Forks.

Along the way, close to 20 torchbearers selected by the community were able to carry the flame for 200 metres each.

Taryn Grant, an alternate for the Canadian Women’s Waterskiing team competing at the games, was among those who carried the torch.

“At first I got it, I kind of brought it down and I was like, ‘Whoa that’s a really big flame and it was hot!’” she said. “But after that I was just taking everything in and it was so cool and amazing to be able to carry the torch.”

Jon Montgomery, the 2010 Olympic skeleton gold medalist, lit the cauldron at The Forks, kicking off an afternoon of music and entertainment.

Winnipegger Barry Kopulos volunteered in the Athlete’s Village at the ’99 Games and came to the celebration to reconnect with the with Pan Am flame.

“I met so many nice people and I met a lot of nice people here are The Forks too,” he said, “It’s a great melting pot of people to meet.”

Until this year, Winnipeg was the only Canadian city to host the Pan Am Games, first in 1967, then again in 1999.

A sister flame from the cauldron at The Forks was captured in a special lantern, which will now head to its next stop in Milton, ON.