Kenyon Martin carries the torch to Paul Brown Stadium. (AP photo) | ZOOM |

        Former UC basketball great Kenyon Martin lit a replica of the Olympic flame cauldron to the cheers of at least 400 people huddled under umbrellas at Paul Brown Stadium Monday night.

        Martin, now with the NBA New Jersey Nets, ran the torch to a stage after local runners carried it from the airport on its first day in the Tristate. More runners will carry it through the area this morning on a route that will end in February at the 2002 Winter Games in Salt Lake City.

        “I'm just proud to be an American,” Martin told the crowd through a microphone on stage.

Martin waves to the crowd after lighting the Olympic flame cauldron. (Brandi Stafford photo) | ZOOM |

        The Nets gave Martin permission to return to Cincinnati so he could be one of the Olympic runners. Martin said he jumped at the chance.

        “It was a great opportunity for me,” he said.

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