Bollywood's Akshay Kumar carries the Olympic Flame in Toronto Dec. 17

TORONTO , Dec. 17 /CNW/ - In the glamorous world of Bollywood, it doesn't get much bigger than Akshay Kumar! This Indian superstar of more than 120 films has come to "Bollywood North" to run with the Olympic Flame in Toronto on Dec. 17 .

Kumar is an international torchbearer with the Vancouver 2010 Olympic Torch Relay, presented by Coca-Cola and RBC and supported by the Government of Canada . He takes up the flame on Yonge St. between Gloucester St. and Breadalbane St. at approximately 6:10 p.m.

"I am honoured and privileged to have been selected as an official torchbearer for the Vancouver 2010 Olympic Torch Relay," says Kumar. "Running with the Olympic Flame in Toronto gives me an exceptional opportunity to represent India and all of my fans. The flame is a symbol of freedom, peace and global friendship, and I would like to thank Canada for this honour and recognition."

Kumar calls Canada his home away from home, and supports numerous Canadian charities, including the Trillium Health Centre in Toronto .

"Akshay Kumar is a global star, a citizen of the world and a friend to Canada . Akshay's fans will join him in person or virtually as he runs along the world's longest street - Yonge St. His presence and exuberance will inspire the Olympic spirit in all of us and draw the world's attention to this magical moment in Toronto ," says Michele McKenzie, president and CEO of the Canadian Tourism Commission (CTC).

The Vancouver Organizing Committee for the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games (VANOC), in collaboration with the CTC, has selected international torchbearers to participate in the 2010 Olympic Torch Relay International Media Program to maximize international media coverage of the relay and spread the excitement and Olympic spirit around the world.

The international torchbearers are from CTC's global markets and include former Olympic athletes as well as entertainers and media celebrities. Their journeys through Canada will be broadcast and shared in their home countries during both the Vancouver 2010 Olympic Torch Relay and the 2010 Winter Games, all to inspire the world to travel to Canada .

About the CTC:

The CTC is Canada's national tourism marketing organization. Our vision is inspiring the world to explore Canada . With our partners in the tourism industry and the governments of Canada , the provinces and the territories, we advertise and market Canada in 12 countries around the world, conduct industry research and studies, and promote product and industry development. For daily updates on CTC initiatives, subscribe to CTC News, available through RSS feeds and e-mail.

Links to additional resources:

Profile: http://mediacentre.canada.travel/system/files/akshay_kumar_profile_en.pdf

Photos: Photos of Kumar's torch run and experiences in Toronto will be available shortly after his run time at: http://ctc.pathfireondemand.com/main.action

Satellite feed: A satellite feed of Kumar's torch run and Toronto tourism experiences will be available at 10:30 p.m. EST on Dec. 17 .

    
    North America:         India:                     Europe:

    Anik F2C/3B            IS-10/16C Slot E           T11N/K18 D03
    Up: 6045 H             Europe - (greater than)    North America -
    Dwn: 3820 V             India Space                (greater than) Europe
    C-Band                 Up: 6156.5 V                Space
    MHz: 36 Analog         Dwn: 3931.5 V              Up: 14015.5 H
    Audio's: 6.8 & 6.2     C-Band                     Dwn: 12515.5 V
    Standard Definition    MHz: 9                     KU-Band
    NTSC Format            FEC: 3/4                   MHz: 9
                           Symbol Rate: 5.632         FEC: 3/4
                           Standard Definition        Symbol Rate: 5.632
                           PAL Format                 Carrier ID No. 110263
                                                      Standard Definition
                                                      PAL Format
    

Footage will also be available at CTC's Video Portal website at 11:00 a.m. on Dec. 18: http://ctc.pathfireondemand.com/main.action

For further information: Jitka Licenik, Corporate Communications Advisor, Canadian Tourism Commission, Tel: [phone], Cell: [phone], [email protected], www.mediacentre.canada.travel; Kathryn Hanley, Hill & Knowlton, Tel: [phone], Cell: [phone], [email protected]; Nina Kalos, Hill & Knowlton, Tel: [phone], Cell: [phone], [email protected]