2010 Olympic Torch Relay
The Vancouver 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games truly are Canada’s Games as the 2010 Olympic Torch Relay becomes the longest in history to be contained within the Host Country.
Canada is full of inspiring stories — as are Canadians. These unique and motivational stories will be shared in the months leading up to the relay, and during the time Canadians will transport the Olympic Flame from Athens, Greece to Vancouver.
The 2010 Olympic Torch Relay presented by Coca-Cola and RBC will inspire and engage Canadians from coast to coast to coast as it travels along the path of northern lights — the route the Olympic Flame will illuminate as it travels towards the Vancouver 2010 Olympic Winter Games.
The 2010 Olympic Torch Relay in brief:
- Over 100 days in length.
- Over 1,000 communities and places of interest where torchbearers will carry the Olympic Flame.
- Nearly 200 celebrations hosted by communities in every province and territory.
- Approximately 90 per cent of Canada’s population will be within a one-hour drive of experiencing the Olympic Flame.
- Over 45,000 kilometres will be travelled.
- Extensive tour of the North including a planned visit to Alert, Nunavut, the northernmost permanently inhabited community in the world.
- 12,000 people will have the honour of being an Olympic Torchbearer and will help carry the flame to Vancouver, a majority of whom will be selected through public programs.
- Presenting partners Coca-Cola and RBC are leading the public torchbearer application process and invite Canadians to share stories about how they are building healthier individuals and create a stronger Canada. The RBC's contest closed July 15, 2009 and the Coca-Cola's contest closed August 17, 2009.
The 2010 Olympic Torch Relay will begin in Canada on October 30, 2009 and conclude at the Opening Ceremony signaling the start of the Vancouver 2010 Olympic Winter Games on February 12, 2010
