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More than 140 New Yorkers will carry the flame for a portion of the Olympic Torch relay this weekend and NY1's Amanda Farinacci caught up with two of the torch bearers Thursday as they prepared for the big day.
Amanda Farinacci
"Outstanding" is a word that could be used to describe the accomplishments of firefighter Cosmo DiOrio, a member of one of the FDNY's elite rescue companies, Rescue 1.
He is one of over 140 New Yorkers picked to carry the Olympic Torch Saturday as the flame makes its way on a world-wide journey to the 2004 games in Athens.
"It's history," said DiOrio. "It's, from what I understand, it's the first time it's going to go to all the continents too. It's an exciting thing to be part of."
DiOrio's wife nominated him to carry the torch after a daring water rescue involving a submerged SUV last November.
The passenger managed to escape the car as it sank and DiOrio was able to get the driver out, though he died a short while later.
"I was able to still see the bubbles from the car coming up, so I knew where the car was and I was able to put myself on the top before I went down, and when I went down, I was able to locate the car and start searching it," said DiOrio. "I had to break the windows with a center punch to get in, and I was able to reach in and feel around to feel the victim."
DiOrio received a medal from the department for his efforts. He says he's excited about his portion of the relay, jogging past Yankee Stadium.
Each torchbearer will carry the torch for about a quarter of a mile, and the run kicks off at Athens Square Park in Astoria.
The area of Astoria is home to the largest Greek community in the world outside of Greece and it's also the home of NYPD Sergeant James Markantonatos.
He will carry the torch on behalf of his brothers in the St. Paul's Society, a fraternal organization for Greek Orthodox police officers.
"I can't express in words how I feel," said Markantonatos. "It's great to be a part of something like this, to know that I am representing New York City, I am representing Greek Americans who live in New York City, the Police Department, the SBA. It just feels like a great honor."
Markantonatos says his climb up the ranks of the NYPD has given him an appreciation for what the Olympic athletes go through to get to the top.
"I've always wanted to be a police officer," said Markantonatos. "I took my test 15 years ago, came on, been a police officer for 13 years now and I am a sergeant and I think that's great. I think that's a great accomplishment that I've made. I'm on a list to become lieutenant, so I am moving up in the ranks."
The Olympic Flame will travel through all five boroughs and end up in Times Square for a celebration that is expected to be truly outstanding.
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