| |
Canadian Forces to carry the Olympic Flame
OTTAWA, June 4, 2009 — To honour the men and
women who serve in the Canadian Forces and the Department
of National Defence, RBC today announced that it has allocated
200 torchbearer spots in the Vancouver 2010 Olympic Torch
Relay for members and their families. RBC is proud to partner
with Canada's Defence Team, so that they may experience this
once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and carry the Olympic Flame
on its journey to the 2010 Vancouver Olympic Winter Games.
"There are few Canadians who are more deserving to carry
the Olympic Flame than members of the Canadian Forces and
Department of National Defence, who demonstrate each day their
commitment to Canada," said Jim Little, Chief Brand and
Communications Officer, RBC. "Their sacrifice and passion
for our country are unparalleled, and watching them participate
will inspire patriotism and pride among all Canadians."
Members of the Defence Team exemplify the spirit of RBC's
Carry the Torch contest to create a better Canada, by pledging
to do something big or small in their daily lives to make
Canada a better place to live. From Comox, British Columbia
to Alert, Nunavut to Goose Bay, Newfoundland and Labrador,
the 2010 Olympic Torch Relay will run through 14 military
bases on its route to Vancouver, British Columbia. On 10 of
these bases, a team of 20 torchbearers will run collectively
for over a kilometre during the 2010 Olympic Torch Relay.
Each team member will have the opportunity to carry the Olympic
Flame and share in this thrill of a lifetime.
"The members of our Defence Team are honoured to partner
with RBC to be a part of this historic relay," said General
Walter Natynczyk, Chief of the Defence Staff. "We are
very excited that this unique event gives us the chance to
celebrate the coming of the Olympic Games in our military
communities across Canada alongside other Canadians."
Below is a listing of dates and locations where Canadian
Forces team torchbearers will participate in the 2010 Olympic
Torch Relay:
|
Date
|
Community
|
Province
|
|
November 2, 2009
|
CFB Comox
|
BC
|
|
November 6, 2009
|
CFB Cold Lake
|
AB
|
|
November 8, 2009
|
CFB Alert
|
NU
|
|
November 11, 2009
|
CFB Goose Bay
|
NL
|
|
November 20, 2009
|
CFB Greenwood
|
NS
|
|
November 25, 2009
|
CFB Gagetown
|
NB
|
|
December 3, 2009
|
CFB Valcartier
|
QC
|
|
December 13, 2009
|
CFB Petawawa
|
ON
|
|
January 8, 2010
|
CFB Shilo
|
MB
|
|
January 10, 2010
|
CFB Moose Jaw
|
SK
|
The 2010 Olympic Torch Relay will begin its journey to Vancouver
on October 30, 2009, when the flame arrives in Victoria, B.C.
following the traditional lighting ceremony in Olympia, Greece.
The Olympic Flame will then travel from coast to coast to
coast through every province and territory in Canada - spanning
45,000 kilometres, over 1,000 communities, over 106 days.
It will end at B.C. Place on February 12, 2010, with the lighting
of the Olympic Cauldron, signaling the start of the Vancouver
2010 Olympic Winter Games.
Approximately 12,000 Canadians will carry the flame across
the country at their own pace with millions more cheering
and supporting them. RBC will award over 2,300 Olympic Torchbearer
spots through its contest which closes July 15, 2009. To enter,
pledge to create a better Canada at rbc.com/carrythetorch.
- 30 -
For more information, please contact:
Jackie Braden, RBC Media Relations, 416-974-2124
Note to Editors/Photo Editors: The Olympic Torch will
be on hand at the Canadian Forces Day Red Walk/Run which takes
place on Friday June 5, 2009 at 1:30 p.m. at Confederation
Park. With up to 5,000 military and civilian staff participating
in the run, General Walt Natynczyk, Chief of the Defence Staff
will be presented with the Olympic Torch by RBC to celebrate
the Canadian Forces participation in the Olympic Torch Relay.
|
|
