The Olympic Torch is Coming to a Community Near You!

October 26, 2009

Ottawa Journal (October 26 – October 30, 2009)
David Tilson, M.P. (Dufferin-Caledon)

The countdown to the 2010 Olympics is on! This is an exciting time for Canada and for sport across our great country. In the coming weeks, there will be many events and activities leading up to the official opening ceremony, in Vancouver, on February 12, 2010. One such event that will touch our community is the Olympic Torch Relay that will begin on October 30, 2009, in Victoria, British Columbia and will end in Vancouver.

The Olympic Torch Relay showcases the geographic and cultural diversity of the host country; celebrates the possible; generates pride and builds enthusiasm for the impending Olympic Games; engages Canadians in their communities; promotes peaceful and inspirational ideals; and stimulates and involves youth here at home and abroad.

The 2010 Olympic flame will be lit on October 22, 2009, in Olympia, Greece and will travel by land, air, and water during its 106-day journey and will visit more than 1,000 communities across Canada. Approximately 12,000 torch bearers will carry the flame on its 45,000 kilometre journey, making it the longest relay held in the borders of the host country in history.
   
There will be 189 celebration communities throughout Canada during the Torch Relay, to celebrate Canada’s extensive geographic and cultural diversity. We are very pleased and excited that the Town of Orangeville has been chosen as one of the celebration communities for the Torch Relay. The celebration will take place on December 28th at the Tony Rose Memorial Sports Centre on an outdoor stage and on portions of the adjacent sports fields with performances appearing on a large screen near the stage.
   
The show times and Torch Relay route will be announced later this fall. For more information and updates on the celebration, please visit www.orangeville.ca. The celebration and show is being produced by Orangeville’s Olympic Torch Relay Community Task Force and Canadian choreographer, Roland Kirouac.
   
Our Government is pleased to be supporting the celebration, in Orangeville, by providing $15,000 from Canadian Heritage. This funding will be used to highlight local talent and artists and to provide interactive activities to engage youth and other members of the community. Across the country, each local celebration will be different, offering unique opportunities for all Canadians to welcome the Olympic Flame.
   
I encourage you and your loved ones to follow the Olympic Torch’s journey across Canada in the coming weeks and to join in the very special celebration, in Orangeville, on December 28th. I know that when the Torch comes through our riding, the Olympic Spirit will touch each and every one of us and it will be something we’ll remember for years to come!