Spring Break
Student bears torch, meets protests
Issue date: 4/17/08
Dorfman ran in pair with another torchbearer for security's sake, holding the torch for about five minutes before passing it over to her partner, an American Olympic softball coach.
The IOC's main priority with its security forces, however, was to secure the safety of the torchbearers.
"The IOC wasn't trying to stop [the protestors]," Dorfman said. "They respected what they were saying and that they had a right to free speech. They continually emphasized to us that their concern was first and foremost the safety of the torchbearers. The IOC wasn't upset, but they said they would do anything they had to in order to keep us safe." Despite the protesting, or perhaps in part because of it, the experience was momentous, according to Dorfman.
Dorfman was chosen from a nation-wide pool of over 1,000 nominees after Danielle's mother wrote an essay describing her daughter's commitment to active living. The Hopkins student created a non-profit organization in 2002 called "Running Friends Forever," whose purpose is to provide shoes and other running equipment to underprivileged high school students in the United States and groups around the world.
"I used to compete in high school and run races in Miami, where I'm from," Dorfman said, "And I was surprised by all the runners who did not have the right equipment. So I decided to find a way to help solve the problem."
Thus far, with the money that the non-profit has raised and the donated running shoes the non-profit has accrued, Running Friends Forever has donated over 500 pairs of shoes, as well as thousands of dollars of athletic equipment, bicycles and college scholarships.
"It was definitely something I'll never forget. It allowed me to be a part of the Olympic spirit and play a role that I would not otherwise have the opportunity to do. Whenever I watch the Olympics, now I'll always have this memory," Dorfman said.
The IOC's main priority with its security forces, however, was to secure the safety of the torchbearers.
"The IOC wasn't trying to stop [the protestors]," Dorfman said. "They respected what they were saying and that they had a right to free speech. They continually emphasized to us that their concern was first and foremost the safety of the torchbearers. The IOC wasn't upset, but they said they would do anything they had to in order to keep us safe." Despite the protesting, or perhaps in part because of it, the experience was momentous, according to Dorfman.
Dorfman was chosen from a nation-wide pool of over 1,000 nominees after Danielle's mother wrote an essay describing her daughter's commitment to active living. The Hopkins student created a non-profit organization in 2002 called "Running Friends Forever," whose purpose is to provide shoes and other running equipment to underprivileged high school students in the United States and groups around the world.
"I used to compete in high school and run races in Miami, where I'm from," Dorfman said, "And I was surprised by all the runners who did not have the right equipment. So I decided to find a way to help solve the problem."
Thus far, with the money that the non-profit has raised and the donated running shoes the non-profit has accrued, Running Friends Forever has donated over 500 pairs of shoes, as well as thousands of dollars of athletic equipment, bicycles and college scholarships.
"It was definitely something I'll never forget. It allowed me to be a part of the Olympic spirit and play a role that I would not otherwise have the opportunity to do. Whenever I watch the Olympics, now I'll always have this memory," Dorfman said.
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