A daily look at the people who will carry the Olympic flame through the Tristate Dec. 17 and 18:

        Jane Alynn Chezem, 30, computer programmer from Loveland. Once unable to walk two blocks without an asthma attack, she now completes marathons and and triathlons without difficulty. Inspirational people are everywhere, she says. “We just need to look around at the people very close to us. Everybody's got some sort of inspirational characteristics we can learn from.”

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        Keith Hattwig, 49, of Lawrenceburg, was nominated by a fellow member of the Independent Bible Church for the way he has handled the brain cancer he has had for the last eight years. “I died twice and the good Lord brought me back. I've had two brain surgeries, a stroke and a heart attack, but I'm going to get out there and carry that torch,” says the former Delta ticket handler. He thinks Americans can best exemplify the Olympic spirit “by our friendship with those of other cultures and by welcoming people from all over the world to our country.”

        Bob Hiller, 49, Maineville, a partner in the law firm Schroeder, Maundrell, Barbiere & Powers. Nominated because of his finish in the Iron Man Hawaii and perseverance through knee surgery. “Our dad taught us to always finish what we started,” he says.

        Dr. Bill Hinckley, 27, Green Township, second-year emergency medicine resident, University Hospital. He ran track and cross-country at Indiana University. “The Olympics are extraordinarily special because it's one of the few meaningful gathering of nations where there's true national patriotism combined with world pride. And to me, that happens too little, especially “post 9-11.”

        Peggy Hock, 48. White Oak, school nurse at McCauley High School in College Hill. Suffering brain injuries after a dog knocked her to the pavement while jogging in her neighborhood in August 2000, it took surgery and three months of therapy for her to return to work. “My message is to appreciate life and be grateful for what you have. Appreciate the small things.”

        Shane Hoffman, 25, Bethel, shift coordinator for Exel Logistics in Hebron, an Eagle Scout and former high school athlete. He has type 1 diabetes, gives himself insulin injections twice a day but still exercises. “I'm a pretty normal guy. But this shows that even if you're a normal person, great things can happen. Just keep doing your best.”

        Bob Hodge, 64, Anderson Township, president, Kroger retail division, Cincinnati-Dayton region. Mr. Hodge runs 6 to 8 miles a week. “The meaning of the Olympics has certainly changed. The Olympics used to symbolize great amateur sports. Now, I think it's down to who are the best athletes in the world.”

        Paul Hughes, 58, Covington, retired from Coca-Cola after 32 years. He has a fast-spreading form of brain disease, and has lived longer than doctors expected. He sees parallels between the spirit of an Olympian and the spirit of someone battling cancer. “You've got to have an attitude of...you're gonna keep going. Never give up. The main thing is to stay the course.”

        Michael Humbert, 58, of Colerain Township, is a market researcher for Procter & Gamble, nominated by his daughter Molly, 30, who also works for P&G, based on his role as primary caretaker for his wife, who suffers from sclerodoma. “I consider myself to be an ordinary man married to an extraordinary woman with remarkable children,” he says. He cherishes the Olympics because “People are not at all embarrassed to root for their country, but there is also a willingness to understand how people from other countries — especially those who have to overcome obstacles to get there — are worthy opponents and sometimes worthy victors.”

        John Johnston, Joy Kraft, Chuck Martin and Margaret McGurk contributed to this report.

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