While most people were spending the Sunday before Christmas finishing their shopping, Syosset resident Ann Marie Constantinou was on Yellowstone Boulevard in Queens helping the Olympic Torch make its way to Salt Lake City, Utah.

The Olympic Torch Relay has been a tradition since 1952 when it was adopted from an idea proposed by a chairman of the 1936 Berlin Games. Symbolizing spirit, knowledge and life, this event delivers the Olympic Flame from Greece to the host country.

The Flame of the 2002 Winter Games was lit November 19, 2001, in Olympia, Greece. It traveled to Athens before arriving in Atlanta, Georgia - the previous U.S. city to host the Olympic Games. Now, it's headed to Salt Lake City, Utah.

Constantinou was one of 11,500 torchbearers who carried the Olympic Flame 13,500 miles through 250 U.S. cities and 46 states. Then on February 8, 2002, the Cauldron at Rice-Eccles Olympic Stadium will be lit to officially start the Salt Lake 2002 Olympic Winter Games.

This year's relay theme is "Light the Fire Within" and torchbearers are individuals who have inspired others, who serve their community in an exemplary manner, who embody the Olympic spirit, and who have overcome adversity.

This past year was tough for Constantinou as her dad was sick and in and out of the hospital and Constantinou, along with her family, was taking care of him, making daily trips to the hospital, renovating the family home and continuing her everyday activities. Also, at work, on top of her job responsibilities Constantinou took on the duties of a business manager who resigned. Coworkers nominated her to be a torchbearer as they saw how strong she remained through a tough year.

Constantinou carried her own torch and at the completion of the slot segment, which is approximately two tenths of a mile, she lit the torch of the person who will carry it next.

Before her run, Constantinou was nervous about carrying the torch, which weighs about three and a half pounds. Despite her nerves, her run was successful. Many family members and friends cheered Constantinou on along her route and gave her moral support. "This is a very exciting time to be carrying the torch especially in New York," said Constantinou who felt like a celebrity for a day filled with pictures and autographs. "It was an amazing experience and it went by so fast."