The Olympic Torch for the Winter Games to be held next month in Salt Lake City has been making its way through the New York area. Last Sunday, Dec. 23, it was carried down Northern Boulevard in Queens. A Roslyn Heights resident, Michael Rosen, had the honor of carrying the torch from 75th St. to 71st St. in Jackson Heights.

Mr. Rosen is a senior vice president for General Motors MediaWorks. In that capacity, he has done some work for Chevrolet, the automobile manufacturer, which is also, one of the main sponsors of the torch tour. That is how he came to carry the torch for those few blocks.

Mr. Rosen said he didn't take a lot of training for the event. "I managed without being a full-time jogger," he joked. On the big day, Mr. Rosen was joined by his family. His wife, Nancy, plus children Emily and Logan cheered him on as he completed his route.

On Dec. 23, the torch traveled all the way down Northern Boulevard toward the East River. The ceremonies began in the area of Northern Boulevard west of Shea Stadium. The torch eventually was ferried across the East River to Rockefeller Center, where New York City Mayor Rudolph Giuliani briefly carried the flame. The Olympic Torch stayed in New York City for both Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. After that, it was transported to parts of Connecticut, Massachusetts, and western New York, including Syracuse and Albany. "It's a real zigzag route," Mr. Rosen admitted.

In all, the Olympic Torch will travel throughout some 13,500 square miles of U.S. territory. The journey began in Atlanta, GA, site of the 1996 summer games. The torch will be in Salt Lake City by Feb. 8, which is when the 2002 Winter Games are scheduled to begin.