Bellflower resident Jason Lalla knows excitement, knows the rush of adrenaline.  As a member of the U.S. Disabled Alpine Ski Team for six years, he earned a gold medal in Giant Slalom (Super G) at the 1998 Paralympics, which coincided with the regular Olympics in Nagano, Japan.  Two years later, Lalla captured another gold in Super G at the World Championships (World Cup) in Switzerland.  Then at the 2002 Salt Lake City Paralympics, he won silver in Super G and Bronze in downhill.

For his success, the Olympic committee rewarded him with the opportunity to carry the 2004 Olympic torch in Los Angeles.

“It was definitely a very proud moment, to be nominated, to be part of this, to know that I’m  carrying  the  same  flame  that,  like,  Pele carried,” said Lalla.

Slated as the 105th member of the L.A. torch relay team, Lalla and the other torch bearers rode a bus along the route, hopping off at specified locations.

“As soon as we got down to 102, 103, I got just completely nervous and amped up,” said the 33-year-old athlete.  “Everyone says try to run slow because it goes by so quick.  And I got out here and had so much adrenaline, that I ended up going quicker then I thought I would.”

Lalla received the Olympic torch within view of L.A. Coliseum’s lit Olympic flame and he carried it 400 meters up Figueroa St.

“It was a total adrenaline rush,” exclaimed Lalla.  “I mean it really was; it was a thrill.”

Lalla lost his leg in a motorcycle accident two weeks after high school graduation in 1989.  He now lives in Bellflower on Ryon Avenue and attends California State University, Dominguez Hills, in Carson.  Lalla studies prosthetics,  and  hopes  one  day  to  make artificial limbs for people.  Even though he’s disabled, he doesn’t feel handicapped. 

“At this point, its like getting up and putting on a pair of shoes,” said Lalla about his prosthetic leg.  “I don’t feel like I’ve slowed down at all.” 

If the Olympic Torch run is any indication, he hasn’t.