Ex-Sharpsville man Liptak helped run the torch relay
By Ed Farrell Herald Staff Writer
Fame may be fleeting, but if everyone does, in fact, experience 15 minutes of it during their lifetime, John Liptak is savoring the moment.
``It's a great opportunity for myself _ a once in a lifetime _ it's something I just had to do,'' the Sharpsville native recently related via telephone.
The 38-year-old Liptak has served as communications manager for the Olympic Torch Relay, a 15,000-mile, cross-country odessey from Los Angeles _ site of the '84 summer Games _ to this year's venue, Atlanta. Motorola (Corp.) is the ``provider of wireless communications for the 1996 Olympic torch relay, presented by Coca-Cola,'' as he explained it.
He was selected by his employer, Motorola, to oversee the enormous task of keeping a 100-vehicle, 150-person caravan connected via two-way radios, cellular phones and pagers. It's made for a thrilling, physically-draining, nonetheless memorable ride for a small-town boy.
After graduating from Sharpsville High School (where he played basketball) in 1976 and matriculating at West Liberty (W. Va.) State College, earning a physical education degree in 1980, ``I stuck around a couple years in the Valley, then moved to Florida in 1984. I've been with Motorola since '84,'' in various management positions, he explained. Currently, Liptak serves as an account sales representative.
``I've been with Motorola 13 years now,'' Liptak, during a brief respite in Erie, related. ``My first year, Motorola became involved in a major sponsorship with the Olympics. I got a call from the company vice-president, who asked me to help out with the Olympic torch relay.''
Liptak's prior experience in a major athletic endeavor consisted of ``some work with Olympic soccer in Orlando, Fla., which is going on in July, and I've been involved in the Special Olympics and some other sporting events which are using Motorola equipment and negotiating some deals (with companies and organizations that have a) past history with Motorola.''
``I've been with (the torch relay) since April 22. The flame arrived April 27 and I've been with it through the entire time,'' he explained as the relay surpassed the midway point during its stop in Erie last month. Such is the extent of his exhausting responsibility, Liptak had to pass on the evening's festivities after arriving at approximately 9:30 p.m.
``They had a big downtown celebration. ... Erie really came out for it,'' Liptak, noting Erie-based American Meter Corp. produced the approximate 3-pound torch.
``(Involvement with the) Olympics is a once-in-a-lifetime thing. It's funny: you get tired, but everytime you see that flame come by, the adrenalin gets you back up again. It gets you through the day. Every one's a 15-hour day, so you learn to sleep on about 4-5 hours. It makes for a long day sometimes, you can't get to all celebrations.''
But he's not complaining.
His personal highlight occurred in the rural community of Chehalis, Wash. _ ``a little, old small town, similar to Sharpsville'' _ just south of Tacoma, when he personally toted the torch for about 2 kilometers or 1 miles.
``It's a really neat feeling. I've been involved in a lot of activities, sports accomplishments in my career, but this is something that topped everything,'' Liptak gushed. ``I never reached a point where I (tired). When you're running, you hear the fans on the sidelines, they're cheering, `USA, USA!' and clapping and waving. Let alone when you get off the shuttle bus; people are asking for your autograph, asking to take your picture with them. It's a great feeling, a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.
``But I ran too fast. I should have slowed down and enjoyed it more. But your adrenalin is pumping so fast, it's like you could just go on forever. It's a great feeling, a great feeling.''
Liptak is hoping to take in the Olympic Games, firsthand.
``It looks like I'll be at the Games. I'll either be working for Motorola or there are a couple other possibilities floating around: working with the (United States Olympic Committee) athletes and their communications systems, that's an open option; or I might be involved in transportation communications which involves 1,200 buses. That one will be a little difficult; and it's possible I may also continue on with the Paralympic Games that follow two weeks after the Olympic Games. But I'll definitely be at the Games and there's a good possibility at the Paralympic Games. They also have a torch relay, so (I'll probably) be helping at those Games.''
Liptak remains single _ ``you have to be, for this job, being 84 days on the road, in and out of hotels. But we're a real close family. My folks (John and Nancy) have really been helping me out; I couldn't have done this without them. They're real happy for me.''
In attempting to express his sentiments, Liptak summarized,
``It's hard to explain, it really is. The one thing that's kept me going ... every time you see the torch or something about it, or myself or the company on TV, you know you're playing a part to get to Atlanta. It chokes you up a little bit. We're behind the scenes, but we're making a lot people really, really happy when they come across it.
``Besides,'' he added with a laugh, ``I get to drive a BMW, too.''
published Thursday, July 18,1996
