Coca-Cola uses Olympic Sponsorship as a National Call to Action

Coca-Cola nominates 2010 Olympic Torchbearers for their Commitment to Active Living

TORONTO , Dec. 9 /CNW/ - Today, Coca-Cola Canada named five well-known active living ambassadors as Olympic Torchbearers for the Vancouver 2010 Olympic Torch Relay. Kelly Murumets, ParticipACTION, Elio Antunes, ParticipACTION, Pam Joliffe, Boys and Girls Clubs of Canada , Mark Tremblay , Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario and Harvey Anderson, University of Toronto , were chosen through Coca-Cola's unique torchbearer nomination program because of their enduring commitment to improving the wellbeing of Canadians. 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.

"For Coca-Cola, the Olympic Torch Relay is about inspiring Canadians to live more active or environmentally sustainable lives," said David Moran , Director of Public Affairs and Communications at Coca-Cola Canada . "These individuals are leaders who are making a tangible difference in improving the health of Canadians and Coca-Cola is proud to recognize their efforts with the opportunity to carry the Olympic Torch."

Meet the Active Living Torchbearers

Kelly Murumets, President & CEO, ParticipACTION

Kelly is the President and CEO of ParticipACTION, the national voice of physical activity and sport participation in Canada . ParticipACTION has been an iconic Canadian brand since 1971 and was relaunched under Kelly's dynamic leadership in 2007.

Kelly was named to the Canadian Association for the Advancement of Women in Sport and Physical Activity (CAAWS), 2007 Most Influential Women in Sport and Physical Activity list and was recently named an Amazing Advocate on More Magazine's Top 40 over 40 list for 2009 as well as one of Canada's Most Powerful Women for 2009.

"Being involved in the Olympic Torch Relay is truly a once-in-a-lifetime experience," said Kelly Murumets, ParticipACTION. "I am thrilled to be a part of this incredible journey, which will connect people from all across Canada , and inspire them to make sport and physical activity a part of who we are. It is my belief that the lasting legacy of the Olympic Torch Relay will be a healthier, more active country."

Kelly Murumets will carry the torch as it passes through Ottawa on December 12, 2009 .

Elio Antunes, Chief Operating Officer, ParticipACTION

Elio is Chief Operating Officer and Vice President of Partnerships for ParticipACTION. Elio has been recognized as a visionary leader in the physical activity sector for almost 25 years. He has spent his entire professional career advocating for, and providing opportunities for Canadians to be more physically active with a special emphasis on children and youth. In 1994, Elio founded Active Healthy Kids Canada , a national charitable organization focused on inspiring and motivating our nation to engage all children and youth in physical activity.

"I am proud to be a Coca-Cola torchbearer for the 2010 Vancouver Winter Olympics," said Elio Antunes, ParticipACTION. "I am especially thrilled that I will have the honour of passing the Olympic flame to my son Adam, who is also a torchbearer. Passing the flame to my son is symbolic of engaging a future generation of leaders to inspire Canadians to move more."

Elio Antunes and his son Adam will carry the torch as it passes through Pickering on December 17, 2009 .

Mark Tremblay , Director of Healthy Active Living and Obesity Research at the Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario

Dr. Tremblay is the Director of Healthy Active Living and Obesity Research (HALO) at the Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario Research Institute and Professor of Pediatrics in the Faculty of Medicine, University of Ottawa . He is currently the Chief Scientific Officer of Active Healthy Kids Canada and Chair of the Research Advisory Group of ParticipACTION.

Dr. Tremblay was the Scientific Director for the Canadian Health Measures Survey currently being conducted by Statistics Canada and currently chairs its Expert Advisory Committee. Dr. Tremblay has published extensively in the areas of childhood obesity, physical activity measurement, exercise physiology and exercise endocrinology.

"I am an active researcher and advocate of physical activity," said Mark Tremblay , Director of Healthy Active Living and Obesity Research at the Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario. "I also try to 'walk the talk.' Barring any unforeseen circumstances, on December 12th , the day I carry the Olympic Torch, it will be my 964th consecutive day running at least 5 km."

Mark Tremblay will carry the torch as it passes through Ottawa on December 12, 2009 .

Pam Jolliffe , CEO of Boys and Girls Clubs of Canada

Pam is the CEO of the Boys and Girls Clubs of Canada , one of Canada's largest and oldest children and youth serving organizations. Pam has over 25 years experience providing leadership in community-based not-for profit organizations working to make a difference in the lives of children, youth, families and adults experiencing disadvantage. Previously, Pam was the Executive Director of Fred Victor Centre, an organization in downtown Toronto providing services to women and men who live in poverty.

Pam will carry the torch on behalf of Boys and Girls Clubs of Canada and the 200,000 young people across the country who count on their local Boys and Girls Club for a safe, enriching place to be in the out-of-school hours. Clubs help children and youth to experience new opportunities, develop healthy lifestyles, build positive relationships and develop confidence and skills for life.

"I am so thrilled to have been selected as a 2010 Olympic Torchbearer. To represent all 104 Boys and Girls Clubs across Canada and the over 200,000 children and youth who find a safe, enriching place to belong and grow at our Clubs, is a great personal honour and a historic moment for our more than 100-year old organization," said Pam Jolliffe . "I will carry the Torch with tremendous pride as a Canadian and as the leader of our vibrant Boys and Girls Clubs movement."

Pam Jolliffe will carry the torch as it passes through Port Credit on December 19, 2009 .

Harvey Anderson , Professor, Departments of Nutritional Sciences and Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto

Dr. G. Harvey Anderson is Professor, Departments of Nutritional Sciences and Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto . He is Director of the University-Industry Program in Food Safety, Nutrition and Regulatory Affairs. He is committed to and has been recognized extensively for his work in the area of nutrition. Dr. Anderson 's research on protein and amino acid metabolism, food selection and intake regulation, diet and behavior, infant nutrition, total parenteral nutrition and diet and chronic disease has led to over 300 publications and the training of more than 100 M.Sc. and Ph.D. students and postdoctoral fellows.

Dr. Anderson will carry the torch as it passes through Toronto on December 18, 2009 .

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 in Canada has 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.

For further information: please visit www.cokenews.ca or contact: Kayla Rochkin, Hill & Knowlton Canada, [phone], [email protected]