Richmond residents invited to be torchbearers at TORONTO2015.org/torch-relay
RICHMOND, BC, Nov. 25, 2014 /CNW/ - The spirit of the TORONTO 2015 Pan Am and Parapan Am Games is going west to Richmond, British Columbia, a community known for its love of sport. The torch will visit Richmond, and the community will choose a torchbearer to carry the Pan Am flame.
Three-thousand torchbearers will proudly carry the flame and share its welcoming Pan Am spirit on its 41-day journey towards the lighting of the cauldron on July 10, 2015, to officially open the Games.
Canadians from coast to coast are being invited to celebrate and share their Pan Am spirit by entering online for the chance to be a Pan Am torchbearer in their community next year. The TORONTO 2015 torchbearer contest is open until December 1, 2014, at 11:59 p.m. (ET).
"We are tremendously honoured to host the torch relay for the Pan Am Games," said Richmond Mayor Malcolm Brodie. "Tens of thousands of our residents came out to see the 2010 Olympic Torch Relay pass through Richmond and this will rekindle those memories and celebrate our national pride as we welcome the Pan Am Games back to Canada."
"I'm thrilled about this exciting news for the people of Richmond and I applaud their efforts in welcoming and taking part in the TORONTO 2015 Pan American Games torch relay," said the Honourable Bal Gosal, Minister of State (Sport). "Our Government is proud to support both the Games and the torch relay, which will be a great opportunity to create connections and to showcase our diverse cultures, vast geography and proud history."
"We're proud to have the people of Richmond as part of our Games family. The torch relay is all about building excitement for the Games and reinforcing to all Canadians that these are their Games," said Saäd Rafi, chief executive officer of TO2015. "Cities across Canada and throughout Ontario are enthusiastic about the torch relay, and that sends a strong message to athletes and visitors that Ontarians and Canadians are committed to making these the best Pan Am and Parapan Am Games ever."
The highly-anticipated relay begins in May 2015 with a traditional Aztec lighting ceremony at the Pyramid of the Sun in Teotihuacan, Mexico. The Canadian journey for the flame starts with its arrival in Toronto on May 30, 2015.
The national event will be fuelled by local hometown pride, with celebrations planned in five cities outside of Ontario: Calgary, Winnipeg, Montreal, Halifax and Richmond. The torch will also visit more than 130 Ontario communities.
TO2015 is proud to bring the relay to Canadian communities with the help of presenting partners President's Choice® and OLG, community partner CIBC and signature supporter Ontario Trillium Foundation to ensure a memorable experience for all.
For more information, visit TORONTO2015.org/torch-relay.
About the TORONTO 2015 Pan Am Games Torch Relay
The TORONTO 2015 Pan Am Games Torch Relay, presented by President's Choice® and OLG and supported by community partner CIBC, will invite Canadians to celebrate and share the Pan Am spirit throughout its 41-day journey towards Toronto, the Host City of the Games.
The torch relay starts May 30, 2015, and concludes July 10, 2015, with the dramatic lighting of the cauldron at the Pan Am Games Opening Ceremony in downtown Toronto.
The TORONTO 2015 Games are funded by the Government of Canada, the Province of Ontario, as well as Lead Partner CIBC and other partners and sponsors.
SOURCE: Toronto 2015 Pan/Parapan American Games
Teddy Katz, Director, media relations and chief spokesperson, TO2015, 416.957.2117, [email protected]
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