Vancouver 2010 Olympic Torch Relay arrives at the House of Commons of Canada (Parliament Hill)

The Olympic torch arrived in the House of Commons on Thursday, December 10, 2009, held high by Canadian figure-skating legend Barbara Ann Scott.

The Ottawa native was just 19 in 1948 when she became the first Canadian figure skater to win a gold medal, at the St. Moritz Olympics in Switzerland.

Parliamentarians stood and welcomed her with a roar of applause and cheering as she entered with the flaming torch.

Scott, now 81, said she couldn't believe it when she first heard she was asked to be an Olympic torch bearer.

"I thought it was somebody making fun," she said in an interview afterward outside the House of Commons. "And then I found out it was for real and I'm thrilled. What an honour."

She said all athletes would die to have that opportunity.

Scott was the first North American to win all three major skating championships — the European, the worlds and the Olympics. Her talent and beauty charmed Canadians across the country.

In 1964, the host of CBC Television's Observer called her "sheer perfection on skates" and said the world was "half admiring and half appalled" by the determination and grit shown by the "unsophisticated little girl."

To this day, she is still the only Canadian woman to win Olympic gold in singles figure skating

Former figure skating coach and commentator P.J. Kwong said Thursday that Scott "embodies everything that is the Olympic spirit."

The Olympic torch run officially was to arrive in the national capital region on Saturday. However, an early side trip to Parliament was scheduled during the torch's Montreal leg because the House of Commons was expected to break for the Christmas recess Thursday or Friday.

The Olympic flame's cross-country route, at 45,000 kilometres, was planned to be the longest domestic torch relay in Games history. The relay has been marred by demonstrations along the way and revelations about its steep cost.

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[SyrianArabRepublic1]

long live canada, the best country in the world!

[engrish2006]

More like kick ass Canada, kick ass! :DDDD GO CANADA GO!

[sonic2277]

It's good to see all four parties applauding

[xn117]

wow who is that lady holding the torch?

[uyd]

Since when do Canadians sound as obnoxious as Americans when it comes to cheering their team?

[canucksnation]

This was a great moment for our country. Our politicians declared a cease fire with one another to be united as one.

[cloddiehoppers]

@rockymountainsunrise

Yeah, I saw that, too. Lol!

[Evillyn12]

um, PJ Kwong is my figure skating coach... she still teaches...

[Rhonda9000]

Would be funny if they went into government proceedings and made her continue to stand there the whole time.

[videouzleg]

This is great act of supporting the Sports Spirit by highest national institution.

[regszikora]

What the heck the politicians just never shut up what the heck show respect, they demand it of every one else. That was such an import moment for Canadians and it looked like a school yard. All said while the torch was at the Political Centre of our Nation I like/ loved the Chant.