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November 21, 2008
For immediate release
Vancouver 2010 Olympic Torch Relay to reach 26 PEI communities
Communities, Cultural Affairs and Labour
The Olympic Flame will travel 320 kilometres by land and water and will be within a one-hour drive of 99 per cent of PEI’s population. Torchbearers pounding the island’s famous red clay will visit iconic Canadian landmarks such as the capital Charlottetown, Anne of Green Gables house in Cavendish and the Confederation Bridge — marking the first time the torch relay will travel across Canada’s longest bridge, which connects PEI and New Brunswick.
“The Olympic Torch Relay is a tremendous opportunity to unite the country and make the Vancouver 2010 Winter Games Canada’s Games,” said the Honourable Gary Lunn, Minister of State (Sport). “This is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to bring together millions of Canadians, in every province and territory, as we celebrate and welcome the passing of the Olympic Flame. As it makes its way across Canada, it will touch the soul of this great nation and inspire the world.”
Islanders interested in applying for a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to carry the Olympic Flame can apply at iCoke.ca, sogoactive.com or rbc.com/carrythetorch. Canadians who commit to live more active lives or are inspired to create a better Canada could win the chance to carry the flame through 2010 Olympic Torchbearer programs run by Coca-Cola and RBC. Coca-Cola and RBC, the relay’s presenting partners, have the exclusive rights for the public to enter the Olympic Torchbearer program. There will be several opportunities to apply for torchbearer spots beginning today.
“The 2010 Olympic Torch Relay is a unique celebration that will shed light on the people, places and pride of Prince Edward Island," said the Honourable Robert Ghiz, PEI Premier. “The Olympic Flame is a powerful symbol of peace and friendship and we look forward to celebrating as the relay makes its way to communities both large and small across the province.”
The 2010 Olympic Torch Relay will begin in Victoria, British Columbia on October 30, 2009 before heading to the Far North, becoming the first relay to bring the Olympic Flame within 900 kilometres of the North Pole through its stop in Alert. The relay will then head to North America’s easternmost tip, historic Cape Spear in St. John’s, Newfoundland before making a cross-Canada journey west to Vancouver.
Designed to reach the greatest number of Canadians, the relay will begin the countdown to the XXI Olympic Winter Games, spanning Canada to engage and inspire through the power of the Olympic Flame.
“When designing this route, we wanted to include as many Canadians as possible,” said John Furlong, Chief Executive Officer, Vancouver Organizing Committee for the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games (VANOC). “It is our hope and dream to unite this country and bring Canadians closer together to discover the many cultures and perspectives that make up our nation. We will share the Olympic Flame with young and old, northern and southern, eastern and western — and everyone in between — in order to make these truly Canada’s Games and ones where everyone can celebrate with glowing hearts.”
The Vancouver 2010 Olympic Torch Relay route will be the longest domestic torch relay in Olympic history, stretching 45,000 kilometres within Canada. Upon its conclusion, the Olympic Flame will have been welcomed in 1,020 communities and places of interest or passed within a one-hour drive from nearby cities and towns, making it accessible to more than 90 per cent of the Canadian population.
The Government of Canada is a major contributor to the Olympic Torch Relay helping to bring the Olympic Flame to as many Canadians as possible. The Olympic Torch, designed and manufactured by Bombardier, will be unveiled later this winter.
Extensive additional torch relay media materials, including maps, videos, audio files and backgrounders are available in the media centre at vancouver2010.com.
- 2010-
About VANOC:
VANOC is responsible for the planning, organizing, financing and staging of the XXI Olympic Winter Games and the X Paralympic Winter Games in 2010. The 2010 Olympic Winter Games will be staged in Vancouver and Whistler from February 12 to 28, 2010. Vancouver and Whistler will host the Paralympic Winter Games from March 12 to 21, 2010. Visit vancouver2010.com for further details on programs and schedules.
Coca-Cola and the Olympic Movement:
The Coca-Cola Co. has been associated with the Olympic Games since 1928 and is the longest continuous corporate supporter of the Olympic Movement. Through the Olympic Games, Coca-Cola encourages people to create their own path of "positivity" in everyday life by believing that anything is possible. The company's sponsorship supports national Olympic committees in more than 200 countries to help athletes train and compete. The Coca-Cola Co. is the exclusive non-alcoholic beverage provider to the Olympic Games through 2020. For information on Coca-Cola's Vancouver 2010 Olympic Torchbearer programs go to icoke.ca or sogoactive.com.
RBC and Amateur Sport:
As part of our commitment to helping create a better Canada, RBC sponsors amateur sport, from grassroots programs in local communities to national sport associations that support the development of amateur athletes who compete at home and abroad. Canada’s longest-standing supporter of the Canadian Olympic Team since 1947, RBC continues its sponsorship through the Vancouver 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games and is proud to bring the Olympic Spirit to communities across Canada as co-presenting sponsor of the Vancouver 2010 Olympic Torch Relay. RBC is also a premier sponsor of Hockey Canada, the Canadian Snowboard Team, the Canadian Freestyle Ski Team, Athletics Canada and the Canadian Paralympic Committee. Visit rbc.com/sponsorship.
