City of Orillia to host TORONTO 2015 Pan Am Games Torch Relay

For immediate release (October 2, 2014) –The TORONTO 2015 Pan Am Torch Relay, presented by President’s Choice, is coming to the City of Orillia next spring. 

“We’re excited that Orillia has been named as a major celebration community for the TORONTO 2015 Pan Am Torch Relay,” said Mayor Angelo Orsi. “This is a fantastic opportunity to be part of this international event while showcasing Orillia’s unique culture and sporting assets.” 

Three-thousand torchbearers will proudly carry the flame and share its welcoming Pan Am spirit on the 41-day journey towards the lighting of the cauldron on July 10, 2015 to officially open the Games. 

Residents of Orillia are invited to enter to be a torchbearer today at TORONTO2015.org/torch-relay.  All residents aged 13 and older by May 30, 2015 are encouraged to sign up.  The City of Orillia will also have the opportunity to select a special torchbearer to run on behalf of the community when the flame comes to town.  Additional information on this opportunity will be announced later this fall. 

The highly-anticipated relay begins in May 2015 with the traditional Aztec lighting ceremony at the Pyramid of the Sun in Teotihuacan, Mexico. The Canadian journey for the flame starts with its arrival in Toronto on May 30, 2015. It will then visit five other cities in Canada, as well as 130 communities in all corners of Ontario, before concluding July 10, 2015 with the dramatic lighting of the cauldron at the Opening Ceremony in downtown Toronto. 

“The TORONTO 2015 Pan Am Torch Relay is an invitation to the nation to join the journey, share the spirit and show community pride as we prepare to welcome the best to the biggest international multi-sport Games Canada has ever held,” said Saäd Rafi, Chief Executive Officer of the TORONTO 2015 Pan Am/Parapan Am Games Organizing Committee (TO2015). 

TO2015 is proud to bring the relay to Canadian communities with the help of presenting partners President’s Choice and OLG, community partner CIBC and signature supporter Ontario Trillium Foundation to ensure it is a memorable experience for everyone involved.

The TORONTO 2015 Games are funded by the Government of Canada, the Province of Ontario, as well as Lead Partner CIBC and other partners and sponsors. 

For more information, visit TORONTO2015.org/torch-relay.   

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Teddy Katz
Director, Media Relations & Chief
Spokesperson, TO2015
416-957-2117
teddy.katz@toronto2015.org
 
Michael Ladouceur
Sport Program Supervisor
City of Orillia
705-325-2050
mladouceur@orillia.ca
 
Laura Thompson
Manager of Communications
705-325-8929
705-826-4399 (cell)
lthompson@orillia.ca