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2008 News and Information

Olympic Torch Stops in Richmond Enroute to Opening Ceremony

21 November 2008

Richmond residents will celebrate the arrival of the Olympic Flame in person on February 9, 2010, when it makes one of its final stops on its cross-country journey to the Opening Ceremony of the 2010 Olympic Winter Games.

“We are absolutely thrilled that Richmond has been selected to host a community celebration along the Olympic Flame’s route,” said Mayor Malcolm Brodie. “This will be a regional community event with local flair, where all Richmond citizens and members of our neighbouring communities can take part in a once-in-a-lifetime experience.”

The 2010 Olympic Torch Relay will begin its 106-day Canadian journey in Victoria, BC on October 30, 2009. The Olympic Flame’s cross-country journey will reach its destination in Vancouver on February 12, 2010 for the Opening Ceremony that will be viewed by an audience of billions from around the world.

Residents interested in applying for the unique opportunity to carry the Olympic Flame can apply at icoke.ca or rbc.com/carrythetorch. Coca-Cola and RBC, the Relay’s presenting partners, are looking for Canadian Torchbearers who commit to healthier living or are inspired to create a stronger country by volunteering or making sustainable choices. There will be several opportunities to apply for torchbearer spots beginning on November 21, 2008.

The Vancouver 2010 Olympic Torch Relay route will be the longest domestic Torch Relay in Olympic history, stretching over 45,000 kilometres throughout Canada. Over 1,000 communities will welcome the Olympic Flame while it’s on its journey, and more than 90 percent of the entire Canadian population is within one-hour travelling distance of one of the 1,000 communities – giving Canadians a special opportunity to see the Flame.

The Torch Relay route is available at vancouver2010.com and information on how residents can apply to be torchbearers can be found at icoke.ca and rbc.com/carrythetorch.

The Government of Canada is a proud supporter of the Olympic Torch Relay, helping to bring the Olympic Flame to as many Canadians as possible.