Gloria Linares, a Great Neck cosmetologist and athlete, carried the Olympic torch for the Salt Lake 2002 Olympic Torch Relay at a ceremony at the Brooklyn Museum of Art on Dec. 23. The event was carried by Channel 4.

''Gloria runs, swims, bikes -- she has participated in marathons all over the United States,'' said her friend, Jeanne Sokolov. ''No wonder she was chosen for this honor!''

The incident was reported by Sue Talansky, a client of Ms. Linares and was sponsored by Chevrolet.

Ms. Linares has been a resident of Great Neck for 20 years. She has three children, and adopted the daughter of a friend who died. In September of 2000 she was chosen by the Eckerd Corporation as one of the 100 honorees at the Eckerd Salute to Women program. She received an all-expense-paid trip to attend a symposium at the Key Bridge Marriott, in Washington, D.C., for her ''tireless efforts to improving the lives of those in need in the community.''

In addition to her charitable endeavors, Ms. Linares is a minister at her local church and a volunteer at North Shore Hospital. ''Doing good for others and bringing them happiness in ways that most of us take for granted in our daily lives makes me better appreciate my own life,'' said Ms. Linares.