Whitchurch-Stouffville
November 22, 2008 12:07 AM
Sean Pearce
Vancouver may be far away, but York Region residents can still catch a glimpse of the Olympic spirit.
That’s because the Olympic torch will be carried around the region during the lead-up to the 2010 Winter Games, passing through all nine municipalities on its way to Vancouver.
It will stop in Whitchurch-Stouffville Dec. 17.
A similar event was held in 1988 at the Whitchurch-Stouffville Museum when the flame was en route to the Calgary Games.
Newmarket and Markham will also have the distinction of being celebration communities along the torch relay route, something that thrills Newmarket Mayor Tony Van Bynen.
Bringing the country together is really the thinking behind the 2010 Olympic Torch Relay route, touted as the longest in Olympic history.
By the relay’s end, the Olympic torch will have passed through 1,000 communities and come within a one-hour drive of more than 90 per cent of the Canadian population, organizers said.
“The Olympic torch relay is a tremendous opportunity to unite the country and make the Vancouver 2010 Winter Games Canada’s Games,” Saanich-Gulf Islands MP and Minister of State for Sport Gary Lunn said.
“This is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to bring together millions of Canadians, in every province and territory, as we celebrate and welcome the passing of the Olympic Flame. As it makes its way across Canada, it will touch the soul of this great nation and inspire the world.”
Those sentiments were echoed by John Furlong, the Vancouver Organizing Committee’s CEO for the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Games. The goal was to create a route that afforded all Canadians an opportunity to see the torch for themselves, he said, adding it is something meant to be shared by Canadians across the country.
“Mapping out this route, we wanted to include as many Canadians as possible,” he said. “It is our dream to unite this country and bring Canadians closer together to rediscover the many cultures and perspectives that make up our nation — to celebrate Canada. With glowing hearts we will share the Olympic Flame with young and old, northern and southern, eastern and western and everyone in between — no one left out. A truly unifying Canadian celebration.”
That celebration is expected to spread beyond Canada’s borders and inspire the world, International Olympic Committee president Jacques Rogge said.
It will showcase the unique Canadian spirit, he said.
“The Olympic torch relay holds a unique place in people’s hearts. It not only marks the final countdown to the Games, building the excitement and expectation of people across the host nation and world as it winds its way towards the host city,” said Mr. Rogge.
The torch will begin its 106-day journey in Victoria, B.C., on Oct. 30, 2009 and make its way to Mt. Pearl, Nfld., by Nov. 13. The torch will arrive in York Region, with stops in Whitchurch-Stouffville, Markham, Richmond Hill and Thornhill on Dec. 17. The following day the torch will travel to Aurora, Newmarket, East Gwillimbury, Georgina, Bradford, King and Vaughan.
For more information on the Olympic Torch Relay, go to
vancouver2010.com.
You can apply to carry the Olympic torch at
icoke.ca or
rbc.com/carrythetorch. Torch hopefuls 13 to 19 can apply to Sogo Active at
sogoactive.com. The torchbearer program seeks individuals who commit to living healthier or are inspired to make a stronger country by volunteering or making sustainable choices. Preregistration for the program started on Nov. 21.