MSU kinesiology professor James Pivarnik is seen hours before he begins his stretch carrying the Olympic flame through Calgary. Courtesy photo

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EAST LANSING, Mich. — A Michigan State University kinesiology professor traversed the wintry conditions of Calgary this week as he joined 12,000 other torchbearers carrying the Olympic flame from Greece to Vancouver for the 2010 Winter Games.

James Pivarnik, director of MSU's Center of Physical Activity and Health and president of the American College of Sports Medicine in Indianapolis, was selected to carry the torch Tuesday by Coca-Cola as one of its 20 ambassadors of positive living. He carried the torch in Calgary.

"It is a humbling feeling to have been chosen for this wonderful event," he said. "I am grateful to my American College of Sports Medicine colleagues for choosing me to represent the organization, as well as the opportunity to represent Michigan State University."

A professor at MSU since 1994, Pivarnik's work focuses on the importance of physical fitness across many platforms. He recently helped the federal government release the first-ever guidelines on physical fitness, developing the section on pregnancy and postpartum activity.

Pivarnik was part of a team that carred the torch on Jan. 18 and Jan. 19 through Calgary. During its several month journey, the torch will visit more than 1,000 communities on its 27,000-mile journey. Watch Pivarnik describe his preparation for the run at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4WgyxAVKZO8&feature=player_embedded. 

MSU kinesiology doctoral student Nicole Forrester, a Canadian high-jumper who competed in the 2008 Beijing Olympics, also was selected as a torchbearer. She helped carry the Olympic Flame through Markham, Ontario – just outside her hometown of Aurora – on Dec. 17. Forrester has since returned to the MSU campus, where the torch she carried will soon be placed on display inside IM Sports Circle. Forrester loaned the torch to the Department of Kinesiology through the duration of the 2010 Winter Games.

Torchbearers were selected by Coca-Cola because of their commitments to positive living through promoting physical fitness, community engagement and recycling.

"These inspirational people have shown remarkable dedication," said Celeste Bottorff, vice president of Living Well, Coca-Cola North America. "Coca-Cola is saluting these champions of positive living by recognizing them with the special opportunity to carry the Olympic Flame."

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Michigan State University has been advancing knowledge and transforming lives through innovative teaching, research and outreach for more than 150 years. MSU is known internationally as a major public university with global reach and extraordinary impact. Its 17 degree-granting colleges attract scholars worldwide who are interested in combining education with practical problem solving.