Nominate a Torchbearer

Lance Armstrong is moonlighting as an Olympic torchbearer and relay runner. The two-time Tour de France champion, Olympic medalist, cancer survivor and hero to many is appearing in a prime-time TV ad promoting the 2002 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City.

Financed by Coca-Cola and Cheverolet, the ad invites us to help Armstrong carry that Olympic flame across the United States by participating in the Salt Lake 2002 Olympic Torch Relay Nomination Program. The relay will begin in Atlanta on Dec. 4 and travel about 13, 500 miles across 46 states.

You can nominate yourself to run or walk the torch or nominate one or more individuals you consider to be a true inspiration in your community. To participate, you must be at least 13 years old, be a U.S. resident and be fit enough to carry the torch for two-tenths of a mile.

Luck will prevail over politics, because Coca-Cola on about June 1 will randomly select 2, 500 winners from all entries received by 11:59 p.m. May 7. Winners will be notified, and organizers will try to assign a relay leg within 200 miles of your home, although that's not guaranteed. You'll be reading this in early May, so act now to meet the May 7 nomination deadline. Here's are you can enter via the U.S. mail or by the Internet:

There are supposed be nomination forms circulating at Chevy dealerships and Coke retailers, but I've found zero. So use a plain 8.5 by 11 inch paper, one side only. As the nominator, write your name, address, day and evening phone numbers and an e-mail address if you have one. Then repeat that process for whomever you're nominating. Then write a 50-100 world nomination statement on how the person you are nominating has enriched your life and/or others by demonstrating courage, dedication, inspiration, passion, and a caring and giving spirit.

Mail that to 2002 Coca-Cola/Olympic Torchbearer Nomination Program, P.O. Box 5430, Blair, NE 68009-5430. One entry per envelope per day.

To enter online, click on the Web site http://www.coke.com and you'll see Armstrong's face, among other icons, rotating across the screen. Click on Lance's face, and the nomination form information will appear. Follow the above nomination directions on screen, then click "send."

Hurry up. The deadline is approaching.