Bill gets a run

Umina grandfather Bill Scott was "over the moon" to find he would be a torch bearer for the Sydney Olympic Games.

He will run between 500 metres and a kilometre in Bateau Bay on August 28, but won't know the exact distance until six weeks before the event.

He said he did not mind how long the run was, but felt capable of the kilometre run.

"I walk on the beach every morning, so I'm pretty fit."

The best part of being a torch bearer is the great honour of being involved in the Sydney Olympics, he said.

Bill, who works at the Umina Information Centre, said he had 12 to 15 people from the centre to thank for arranging his nomination.

"I didn't know I was nominated because they kept it so well hidden."

Bill's family was equally thrilled with his success. He was the second member of the family to participate in an Olympic ceremony.

His nine-year-old grand-daughter will be dancing as part of Olympic opening events.

Natalie Ruffels, March 1