UK Baha’i carried the Olympic torch in China

Posted: 19 Aug 2008 12:21 PM CDT

Wilma O’Sullivan, a UK Bahá’í who lives in China, had the honour of carrying the Olympic torch when it passed through the Chinese province of Hebel, where she currently lives.

This story has just been published by The Wirral Globe, the local paper of the part of England Wilma comes from.

Wilma O’Sullivan, 52, was asked to carry the torch as she was one of a number of foreign workers to be acknowledged nationally for her contribution to education in China.

She was given the National Friendship award in 2006 and was invited by the government for a week’s holiday along with 49 other recipients that year.

Following that she appeared on television for a month filming her work for the city and provincial TV.

Wilma, a member of the Baha i Faith which believes in the unity of mankind, left Wirral for China in 1995 to become a teacher of English and has now been living there for thirteen years.

“It was a great and fantastic honour to carry the torch,” said Wilma, “and best of all I get to keep it.

“All bearers pass the flame and keep the torch,” said Wilma.

Well done Wilma!

Incidentally, my mother’s family comes from the Wirral.