Coca-Cola honours 20 inspiring people from the Ontario Medical Association
(OMA) as torchbearers for Vancouver 2010 Olympic Torch Relay

The OMA is Recognized for Living Positively through Innovative Efforts to Promote Nutrition Education, Physical Activity and Community Involvement

TORONTO , Dec. 15 /CNW/ - Today Coca-Cola Canada named 20 inspiring physicians and medical students from the OMA as torchbearers for the Vancouver 2010 Olympic Torch Relay. Each torchbearer was chosen because of his or her efforts to turn their passion for improving the wellbeing of Canadians into important changes that have positively impacted their local communities. Coca-Cola Canada is using its sponsorship of the Vancouver 2010 Olympic Winter Games as an opportunity to make a positive contribution to both the health and wellness of Canadians and the environment.

"As part of our commitment to active, healthy living, Coca-Cola Canada is using its sponsorship of the Olympic Torch Relay to recognize individuals who are living active and encouraging those around them to do the same," said Dave Moran , Communications Director, Coca-Cola Canada . "The men and women from the OMA have shown remarkable dedication to inspiring others to live positively and Coca-Cola is proud to recognize them with the opportunity to carry the Olympic Torch."

The Olympic Games represent a spirit of wellbeing and personal betterment. With this same goal in mind, Ontario's doctors work every day to protect and promote the health of their patients. The OMA has a long history of advocating for measures that help Ontarians lead healthy lifestyles. This includes helping achieve a province-wide ban on smoking in cars carrying children and highlighting the importance of including calories on the menus of chain restaurants and school cafeterias.

The 20 runners from the OMA represent the present and the future of health care. The OMA team includes medical students, residents and physicians all with a keen interest in promoting healthy lifestyles - a great fit for the relay, as Coca-Cola was looking for physicians who were true ambassadors for active living.

"As a family physician, I know the importance of participating in regular physical activity," said Dr. Suzanne Strasberg , OMA President and team captain. "I see many patients who struggle to include activity in their daily routines; I hope the spirit of the Olympic Games provides the extra motivation that these patients need to start taking control of their own health."

The OMA torchbearers, selected by Coca-Cola will carry the flame through Orangeville, Ontario on December 28, 2009 as the torch makes its way to the start of the Vancouver 2010 Olympic Games on February 12, 2010 . The relay will last for 106 days, covering more than 45,000 kms and linking together more than 1,000 Canadian communities.

Coca-Cola and Active Living

Coca-Cola is committed to helping address obesity by encouraging active, healthy living through its products, programs and policies. Across the globe, the Company sponsors many nutrition and exercise programs to help people lead active, healthy lives. The Coca-Cola Company supports active, healthy living programs in over 100 countries. Coca-Cola is proud to be the first beverage company in the world to commit to putting caloric information on the front of our product packaging, starting in 2010, to make it easier for consumers to make beverage selections that best meet their dietary needs. Coca-Cola Canada has also partnered with ParticipACTION to launch a unique youth driven active living program that gives Canadian teens the tools to design their own individual 'get active' plan. The program, SOGO Active, is being executed through intensive consultation with leading Canadian physical activity experts, teenagers and a broad network of provincial, territorial and community-based organizations. SOGO Active is a $5 million , five-year initiative.

Coca-Cola has awarded over 1,000 torchbearer spots in the Vancouver 2010 Olympic Torch Relay to teenagers who joined the program and have demonstrated a commitment to adopting an active lifestyle. For more information visit www.sogoactive.com.

About Coca-Cola and the Olympic Movement

The Coca-Cola Company has been an Olympic partner since 1928 and is the longest continuous corporate supporter of the Olympic Movement. The Company works with National Olympic Committees in more than 200 countries to help athletes train and compete. More than 90 percent of the Coca-Cola system's investment in the Olympic Games is directed to athlete development and to assist in staging the Games. Products of The Coca-Cola Company refresh athletes, volunteers, officials and spectators during the Olympic Games; and supporting programs such as the Vancouver 2010 Olympic Torch Relay allows Coca-Cola to help share the Olympic spirit around the world. The Coca-Cola Company is the exclusive nonalcoholic beverage provider to the Olympic Games through 2020.

Coca-Cola in Canada

The Coca-Cola Company is the world's largest beverage company. In Canada , the Company is represented by its subsidiary, Coca-Cola Ltd. (Coca-Cola in Canada ). Coca-Cola is Canada's largest beverage company. Coca-Cola in Canada markets three of Canada's top nonalcoholic sparkling beverage brands, Coca-Cola, Diet Coke and Sprite, and the leading ready-to-drink tea: Nestea. In addition, our subsidiary is the largest juice and juice drinks company with Minute Maid, Five Alive and Fruitopia. The Company also markets DASANI, PowerAde and other hot and cold beverages.

For more information about Coca-Cola in Canada , please visit our website at www.cocacola.ca or our parent company's website at www.thecoca-colacompany.com.

About the Ontario Medical Association

The Ontario Medical Association (OMA) represents and advocates on behalf of 28,000 physicians across the province. The OMA is committed to strengthening Ontario's health care system by working to ensure that patients in Ontario have access to timely, quality health care.

For further information: Media inquiries: Leigha Cotton, Coca-Cola Canada, W: [phone], C: [phone]