Olympic torch unveiled torch, Olympic, unveiled

布小熊

By Jeff Nagel - Richmond Review
Published: February 12, 2009 10:00 AM
Updated: February 12, 2009 2:23 PM

The 2010 Winter Olympic torch is a snow-white baton with graceful curving lines, something of a cross between a ski and a kayak.

It was unveiled Thursday morning in Whistler to kick off the official one-year countdown to the start of the Vancouver Games.

The design was inspired "by both the lines carved into the snow by skiers shushing down mountains and the undulating beauty of the snowy landscape," according to Vanoc.

The Bombardier-built torch is fuelled by butane and is nearly a metre in length, weighing 3.5 pounds.

The torch will be carried on a 45,000-kilometre journey to every corner of Canada in the 106 days leading up to the Olympics.

Vancouver's Patricia Moreno, 18, and Regina's Caleb Taylor, 35, will be the first two of 12,000 torch bearers.

The flame will be lit in Olympia, Greece in late October and then be flown to Victoria to begin the cross-country relay Oct. 30.

The torch will crisscross the Lower Mainland in February of 2010 just ahead of the opening ceremonies in Vancouver.

"The design of an Olympic torch is very important," International Olympic Committee president Jacques Rogge said.

"It cradles the Olympic flame and its message of hope, the celebration of excellence, friendship and respect wherever it travels in the world."

The torch bearer uniforms were also unveiled – white, blue and green track suits with red gloves designed by HBC.

fibbi

Anyone sign up for the draw for torch bearer?