CALGARY, January 18, 2010 - The Honourable Gary Lunn, Minister of State (Sport), will travel to Alberta to celebrate the Olympic Torch Relay with the communities of High River, Calgary, Chestermere, Airdrie, Canmore, and Banff.
"The Olympic Flame has been travelling across Canada for 81 days now. It has already lit up every province and territory in our vast country, touching the lives of thousands of Canadians on its journey," said Minister of State Lunn. "We can feel the excitement all across the country as the Flame embarks on the last part of its epic voyage."
"Like the 1988 Winter Games in Calgary, the Vancouver 2010 Winter Games are an opportunity to highlight the excellence of our athletes, as well as our country's natural and cultural wealth," added Minister of State Lunn.
For more information on the Government's support for the Vancouver 2010 Olympic Torch Relay or the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games, consult the attached backgrounder and visit www.Canada2010.gc.ca.
For more information (media only), please contact:
Vanessa Schneider
Director of Communications
Office of the Honourable Gary Lunn, P.C., M.P.
Minister of State (Sport)
819-934-1191
vanessa.schneider@pch.gc.ca
Media Relations
Canadian Heritage
819-994-9101
1-866-569-6155
media@pch.gc.ca
The Government of Canada, a major financial partner of the Vancouver 2010 Winter Games, is working to ensure that the Games are a success and are managed prudently. It is also striving to maximize the investment of Canadians in the Games and in the Olympic Torch Relay.
Through its contribution and involvement in the Olympic Torch Relay, the Government of Canada is giving all Canadians across the country the opportunity to experience the Vancouver 2010 Winter Games by making them "Canada's Games." After making its way across the ocean from Greece to Victoria, British Columbia, the Flame--carried by 12 000 torchbearers--will travel 45 000 kilometres from coast to coast to coast.
The Olympic Torch Relay will last 106 days and bring together the entire country as Canada prepares to welcome the 2010 Winter Games.
Did you know...?
- The Government of Canada has invested $22.5 million to ensure that more Canadians can take part in the Olympic Torch Relay all across the country in order to celebrate the arrival of the Vancouver 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
- Communities in Alberta received a grant from the Government of Canada to enhance their cultural programming so that Canadians in this province could take part in an unforgettable ceremony and celebrate Canada's cultural diversity and rich history.
- The Government of Canada made a financial contribution to setting up the project for the celebration communities' song. The song, written by world-renowned Canadian artist Gregory Charles, will be performed by local choirs in order to showcase local artists. This activity is a unique opportunity to rally Canadians across the country around a unique theme and to generate a sense of national pride.
- The Government of Canada will give the municipalities in Alberta a commemorative plaque to mark the passage of the Vancouver 2010 Olympic Torch through these communities. The Olympic Torch Relay route will be the longest domestic torch relay route in Olympic history, a legacy that will immortalize this moment in history for Canadians and citizens of the world for generations to come.
