Only seven days left before torch arrives

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Saugeen Shores is ready to shine in the 2010 Olympic Torch Relay

In just seven days from today, the eyes of the world will turn to our community as the Olympic Flame arrives in Saugeen Shores as part of the Vancouver 2010 Olympic Torch Relay, presented by Coca-Cola and RBC and supported by the Government of Canada.

“Everywhere you look in Saugeen Shores, excitement is building for the arrival of the Olympic Flame and everyone is invited to come out and cheer it on its journey to Vancouver,” said Mayor Mike Smith. “On Monday, December 28th, we’re expecting hundreds to turn out for this emotional once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to see the Olympic Flame in person right here in our Saugeen Shores and feel inspired by its universal message of peace, brotherhood and friendship.”

The torch relay will arrive at approximately 5:00 PM in Port Elgin and 5:40 PM in Southampton as part of a convoy of vehicles, which will include torchbearer shuttles, media vehicles, relay support vehicles and police cruisers.  Temporary rolling road closures will ensure the safety of the torchbearers and spectators lining the relay route. The crowd will see a new torchbearer carry the flame every 300 metres through the community as it travels on its 45,000-kilometre-long journey across Canada — the longest domestic torch relay in Olympic history.

To celebrate the arrival of the flame, the community is planning a celebration at the PLEX on the ice immediately following the departure in Port Elgin and then Southampton.

“Our goal with these celebrations has always been to bring the magic and excitement of the Olympic Spirit home to millions of Canadians no matter where they live and truly make these Canada’s Games,” said John Furlong, Chief Executive Officer of the Vancouver Organizing Committee for the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games (VANOC).

The 106-day Olympic Torch Relay will visit more than 1,030 communities and places of interest in every province and territory. On February 12, 2010, the Olympic Flame will make its way to downtown Vancouver to light the Olympic Cauldron in a magical and awe-inspiring moment before a television audience of three billion people worldwide, signalling the kick off to the start of the Vancouver 2010 Olympic Winter Games.

For more information on the Vancouver 2010 Olympic Torch Relay visit www.vancouver2010.com/torchrelay. Detailed street-level route details will be available on the website approximately two weeks before the Olympic Flame arrives in the community.

About VANOC

VANOC is responsible for the planning, organizing, financing and staging of the XXI Olympic Winter Games and the X Paralympic Winter Games in 2010. 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 www.vancouver2010.com.

For more information:

Jayne K. Jagelewski

Manager of Recreation and Culture

Town of Saugeen Shores

519-832-2008

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Monday, December 21, 2009