November 21, 2008
(Red Deer, Alberta) – The national spot light will shine on Red Deer as the Olympic Torch makes its journey across Canada, through Red Deer, to Vancouver for the 2010 Olympics in February.
The Olympic Torch Relay, presented by Coca-Cola and RBC, will be the focus of national and international press for three months as Canada tells the story of our people, our history, our culture and our land as the Olympic Flame travels to Vancouver. The relay consists of approximately 100 days on the road, 12,000 torchbearers and up to 1,000 communities visited across every province and territory. The route will trace a path through every province and territory from coast to coast to coast, travelling 35,000 kilometres on the longest Olympic Torch Relay ever completed inside a single country.
“We are very excited to have the Olympic Torch in Red Deer,” said Mayor Morris Flewwelling. “Not only does the celebration of the Torch Relay encourage national pride, it also brings an enhanced feeling of community spirit and belonging. It will be an event local residents will remember for years to come.”
The Olympic Torch Relay committee has been assembled and a community celebration is being planned for the day the torch comes through the city. Details of the route date and celebration have not been finalized.
“We will be working with the VANOC Organizing Committee to determine the celebration site, details and timing of the event over the coming months,” said Lyn Radford, chair of the Red Deer Olympic Torch Relay committee. “We have gathered a small team of volunteers to date, but additional volunteers will be needed as we move forward,” she added.
The Olympic Flame is a symbol of peace, friendship and enlightenment, and represents a summons to the Olympic Games. The modern-day Olympic Torch Relay is derived from ceremonies once a part of the ancient Games of Olympia, Greece. The torch and relay races, separately, were important elements of the cultural festivals surrounding the Games. In addition, heralds were summoned to travel throughout Greece to announce the Games of Olympia, declaring a sacred truce for the duration of the celebration. These events carried a deep ritual significance — a significance that is still respected in the modern-day Olympic Torch Relay.
Watch for more information on www.reddeer.ca or visit http://www.vancouver2010.com
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For more information, contact:
Lyn Radford Mayor Morris Flewwelling
Chair, Olympic Torch Relay Committee The City of Red Deer
403-343-0551 or 403-391-1551 403-342-8154
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