Philippe Candeloro spins through Saskatchewan Jan. 11 during the Vancouver
2010 Olympic Torch Relay

SASKATOON, Jan. 8 /CNW/ - Famous for portraying exciting historic and literary figures in his routines, iconic French figure skater Philippe Candeloro is coming to Saskatchewan to soak in a little history and culture, and a lot of Olympic Spirit, Canadian-style!

Candeloro will be running with the Olympic Flame in Wanuskewin Heritage Park, just north of Saskatoon, Saskatchewan on Jan. 11 as part of the Vancouver 2010 Olympic Torch Relay, presented by Coca-Cola and RBC and supported by the Government of Canada .

France's most celebrated figure skater and a legendary performer, Candeloro set new standards for the sport through energetic and artistic routines. His unique use of characters as concepts, including D'Artagnan from The Three Musketeers, wowed audiences world-wide, and earned him two Olympic medals.

"My dear friends in Canada...it's a great pleasure for me to participate in the Olympic Torch Relay," says Candeloro. "I hope to reach the height of the honour you've given me and that your Olympic Games in Vancouver will leave you with as many memories as of those of Calgary 1988. I am very happy to visit again to carry the Olympic Flame in Saskatchewan."

"Philippe Candeloro inspired millions with his distinctive artistry and his obvious passion for the sport," says Michele McKenzie, president and CEO of the Canadian Tourism Commission. "We're delighted to welcome such a creative personality to Saskatchewan and hope he'll be inspired to share his travel experiences when he returns home."

The President/CEO of Tourism Saskatchewan, Lynda Haverstock says, "The citizens of our province are renowned for their hospitality. They revel in every opportunity to host visitors from near and far. It is a distinct privilege to have an international icon of Monsieur Candeloro's stature in our midst to help us participate in the greatest celebration of sport in the world - the Olympic Games!"

Candeloro will be connecting with locals and experiencing Saskatoon before his leg of the relay, including a sleigh ride through the Enchanted Forest, Canada's largest drive-through holiday light show. He'll also charm the Saskatoon Figure Skating Club during a meet and greet, and chat with francophone students at the École canadienne-française.

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 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 by e-mail.

Resources

Torchbearer profile

For further information: Meaghan Benmore, Hill & Knowlton Vancouver, Tel: [phone], Cell: [phone], [email protected]; Jitka Licenik, Corporate Communications Advisor, Canadian Tourism Commission, Tel: [phone], Fax: [phone], [email protected], www.mediacentre.canada.travel