Newmarket gets fired up to receive Olympic Torch in 2009

Newmarket gets fired up to receive Olympic Torch in 2009

Newmarket, Ontario, November 21, 2008 - Olympic Fever is here! On December 18, 2009 the Olympic Flame will stop in Newmarket as it works its way towards the Vancouver 2010 Olympic Winter Games.

Newmarket has been selected as one of 43 celebration communities in Ontario to participate in the Olympic festivities.

”We are honoured to hear that Newmarket will have the opportunity to host the Olympic Flame as it travels from coast-to-coast on its way to the Olympic Winter Games in Vancouver next year,” says Mayor Tony Van Bynen. “The Olympic Flame symbolizes peace, friendship, inspiration, passion and unity. As a community, Newmarket embodies these characteristics and is truly representative of the Olympic spirit”.

Residents are invited to join Mayor Van Bynen and members of Newmarket Council along with local sports organizations, past Olympic champions, Town of Newmarket staff and community members to celebrate Newmarket’s designation as a Torch Town at the Magna Centre on Saturday, November 29, 2008 at 11 a.m.

Residents interested in applying for an once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to carry the Olympic Flame can apply at icoke.ca or rbc.com/carrythetorch. The Torchbearer program is looking for Canadian applicants who commit to live healthier or are inspired to create a stronger country by volunteering or making sustainable choices. There will be several opportunities to apply for torchbearer spots beginning on November 21, 2008.

The Vancouver 2010 Olympic Torch Relay route will be the longest domestic Torch Relay in Olympic history, stretching over 45,000 kilometres throughout Canada. Upon its conclusion, the Olympic Flame will have been welcomed in over 1,000 communities across the country.

Additional information on the torch relay route is available at vancouver2010.com and information on how residents can apply to be torchbearers can be found at icoke.ca and rbc.com/carrythetorch.

The 2010 Olympic Winter Games will be staged in Vancouver and Whistler from February 12 to 28, 2010. Vancouver and Whistler will host the Paralympic Winter Games from March 12 to 21, 2010. Visit vancouver2010.com for further details on programs and schedules.

Please see attached for the Torch relay route and fact sheet

Media Contact:
Amber Harrison
Senior Communications Specialist
905-953-5300 ext. 2046
aharrison@newmarket.ca