On Saturday the City of Santa Clarita celebrated the start of the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing, China with a torch relay ceremony at The Cube in Valencia.

Beginning at 9 a.m. Saturday, the relay started at Santa Clarita City Hall, where three runners were given the ceremonial torch to hold. Along the way, they would be joined by groups of runners posted along the three mile route from city hall to The Cube, where the ceremony awaited. 

At around 10 a.m., the group of runners -made up of local students, members of the Special Olympics Southern California, and public safety members- reached the Cube where the city council and Captain Justin Diez of the Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff’s Station waited to pass on the torch. 

The council members, Bill Miranda, Marsha McLean, Jason Gibbs, Cameron Smyth and Mayor Laurene Weste were all in attendance to receive the torch. 

“Last night the opening ceremony kicked off the 2022 Winter Olympic games in Beijing China,” said Mayor Weste. “Even though the competition is half a world away the Cube is Southern California’s home for the Winter Games.” 

Weste continued to speak to the crowd of runners and those who had gathered to participate in the day’s activities, noting the number of Olympic athletes who have come from Santa Clarita, including Abbey Weitzeil, Allyson Felix, David Smith and Kyle Ensing.

The crowd heard from Weitzel, Felix and Smith via a video message at the ceremony. 

At The Cube, booths were set up for participants to play games and try their hand at sports featured in the Winter Olympics such as curling and ice hockey.

The winter games are set to be playing on the screens of The Cube, where people can view them while engaging in sport.

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