Tourism Minister Clyde Jackman on behalf of Premier Danny Williams, will welcome the Vancouver 2010 Olympic Torch Relay Wednesday as it arrives in Wabush on Day 13 of its 106-day Canadian journey.
The Torch Relay will spend the next five days visiting 42 communities throughout Newfoundland and Labrador.
“The Olympic Flame is an international symbol of peace and goodwill, and it is appropriate that we welcome it to our province on Remembrance Day,” Williams said. “This national event is an exciting step on the road to the Olympics, and as the flame travels throughout our communities we will showcase our province to the country and the world. Newfoundlanders and Labradorians embody the positive energy that defines the Olympic spirit and we are excited to welcome the flame to our province.”
Eight community celebration events have been planned along the Torch Relay route. They will be held in Wabush/Labrador City, Happy Valley-Goose Bay, St. Anthony, St. John’s, Clarenville, Grand Falls-Windsor, Corner Brook and Channel-Port aux Basques.
These regional events will showcase the province’s history and cultural heritage, and include various performances by local entertainers.
A provincial Olympic-sized banner is also travelling with the relay, giving Newfoundlanders and Labradorians an opportunity to send their best wishes to Canadian athletes. The signed banners will hang in the Athletes Village in Vancouver and Whistler, B.C. during the Vancouver 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games.
The Olympic Flame will travel 3,120 kilometres by land, water and air while in Newfoundland and Labrador, and involve 330 torchbearers. More details on the Torch Relay route and the regional celebrations can be viewed at: www.gov.nl.ca/2010olympics.
The Vancouver 2010 Olympic Torch Relay began in Victoria, British Columbia on October 30, 2009 before heading to the far north, becoming the first relay to bring the Olympic Flame within 900 kilometres of the North Pole through its stop in Alert. The relay will now head across Newfoundland and Labrador to historic Cape Spear, before making a cross-Canada journey west back to Vancouver.