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DRAPER, UT (AP) - Hundreds of people lined the slushy
streets of a local suburb Friday to watch handicapped 12-year-old,
Kimmy Kiser carry the Olympic torch on its final lap before
its arrival at the opening ceremony.
With a light snowfall blanketing the area, Kiser, riding
in her wheelchair, was an inspiration to her community as
she began her short journey through West Valley City accompanied
by a mob of well-wishers. It was one of the last few legs
of the torch's 13,500-mile, 46-state odyssey to Salt Lake
City.
During the last turn, Kiser's wheelchair suddenly hit a pebble
and the torch was airborne, eventually landing in a nearby
puddle.
An immediate hush fell over the crowd, which was soon followed
by angry jeers and threats of physical violence against the
little girl when the flame had extinguished itself.
``What a goddamn failure. She's basically ruined the Olympics
for everyone in this country, not to mention all those people
who live in other countries, said one angry spectator who
drove more than 100 miles to see the relay. "How could
she drop the friggin' torch?''
Kiser, who spends almost 20 hours a week hooked up to oxygen
tanks and dialysis machines for her failing kidneys, claimed
the torch was heavy and her muscles just gave out without
warning.
West Valley Mayor Bruce Tomkins was disheartened by the
days events. "We thought this torch relay was going to
put our sleepy little town on the map, especially since Oprah
was all ready to run the story," Tomkins said. "Instead,
that little girl has made us a laughing stock. I'm pretty
sure even Oprah won't allow handicapped losers on her show."
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