January 28, 2008 – Today in Halifax, Nova Scotia, the Vancouver Organizing Committee for the Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games (VANOC) announced a number of exciting elements related to the 2010 Olympic Torch Relay. Pier 21, Canada’s Immigration Museum, was chosen as the location for this announcement to illustrate the national scope of the Torch Relay and to show just how far the relay will travel as it engages and inspires Canadians, from coast to coast to coast.

It was also announced that Coca-Cola and RBC have joined VANOC in presenting the 2010 Olympic Torch Relay — celebrating a partnership that will bring the Olympic Flame to hundreds of communities and millions of people across Canada. The Torch Relay emblem, ‘A Path of Northern Lights’ was jointly unveiled by the partners. Today’s announcement also lays the groundwork for a number of exciting details to be released in November 2008.

Next to the Olympic Rings, the Olympic Flame is the most universally recognized symbol of the Games. For the public, the Torch Relay is often the first and most tangible evidence of the arrival of the Games.

2010 Olympic Torch Relay — Presenting Partners

As Presenting Partners of the 2010 Olympic Torch Relay, Coca-Cola and RBC will work in collaboration with VANOC on the overall development of the Olympic Torch Relay. Coca-Cola and RBC embody the importance of partnerships to the success of the 2010 Winter Olympic Games. By joining forces with VANOC, they have made commitments to ensure that every Canadian has the opportunity to be inspired by the power of the Olympic Flame.

“The Torch Relay provides our company with an opportunity to extend the live Olympic spirit to communities across the country and to encourage Canadians to make a lifelong commitment to Olympic values,” said Vincent Timpano, President of Coca-Cola Canada. “From town to town, the Olympic Torch Relay will connect all Canadians to Vancouver 2010 and what it stands for,” said Gordon M. Nixon, RBC President and Chief Executive Officer. “RBC is honoured to help give millions of Canadians and their communities a chance to participate in the celebration and excitement of the Games through the Olympic Torch Relay.”

2010 Olympic Torch Relay Emblem — A Path of Northern Lights

Also unveiled today was the Torch Relay Emblem, “A Path of Northern Lights”. The emblem’s design was inspired by the torch’s journey across this magnificent land as the torchbearers light spirits and ignite dreams like a path of northern lights.

For the public, the Torch Relay is the first real sign that the Games have arrived. Along with the Olympic Rings, the Olympic Flame is perhaps the most recognized symbol of the Games.

2010 Olympic Torch Relay

On November 17, 1987, Ferd Hayward and Barbara Ann Scott King shared the honour of being the first torchbearers for the 1988 Calgary Olympic Torch Relay. On this day, Barbara Ann Scott King was uncharacteristically at a loss for words. “Words”, she said, beaming. “I cannot find the words!”

Ferd Hayward’s eyes welled with tears. They would be the first of millions to be moved by the flame.
More than 20 years later, the journey of the Olympic Flame will, as always, begin in Olympia, Greece with the lighting ceremony.

From there the flame will travel 35,000 kilometres, spanning every province and territory across Canada from coast to coast to coast, prior to its arrival at Vancouver’s BC Place Stadium on February 12, 2010. A total of 12,000 torchbearers will be selected by VANOC, Coca-Cola and RBC to play a role in bringing the Olympic Flame to communities across the nation.

Specific details regarding the relay route, torchbearer application process, torch and uniform designs will be announced in November 2008. Share the inspiration — encourage your friends to sign up for regular 2010 Olympic Torch Relay updates from vancouver2010.com.

Beijing 2008 Olympic Torch Relay Preview

While the Vancouver 2010 Torch Relay program is focussed on planning, the Beijing 2008 Torch Relay is about to begin. On March 24, 2008 the Olympic Flame will be lit in Olympia, Greece before starting out on an international expedition which will end at the Opening Ceremony on August 8, 2008. For information on the Beijing Torch Relay, “Light the Passion Share the Dream”, visit beijing2008.com.

Beijing 2008 Paralympic Torch Relay Preview

Following the Closing Ceremony for the Beijing 2008 Olympic Summer Games on August 24, 2008, the Beijing Paralympic Flame will be lit. Splitting up the route for the first time, three separate torches will journey across ancient China, modern China and to the future hosts of the Games, before uniting to light the Paralympic Cauldron on September 6, 2008. As part of this process, the Beijing Paralympic Flame will visit Vancouver in late August before heading to London.

To learn more about Torch Relays of past Games, visit the International Olympic Committee website for images and trivia.