Media Advisory: International Torchbearers Update

VANCOUVER, Nov. 10 /CNW/ - Eleven international torchbearers still have their spine-tingling torch runs ahead of them during the Vancouver 2010 Olympic Torch Relay, presented by Coca-Cola and RBC and supported by the Government of Canada.

Two new additions to the international media program include Matthew Pinsent, a four-time Olympic gold-medal-winning rower; and an anchor from NBC's Today Show. Olympic figure skater Katarina Witt and Olympic tennis player Nicolas Kiefer will not be participating in the torch relay as scheduled.

The international media program was developed by the Vancouver Organizing Committee for the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games (VANOC) in collaboration with the Canadian Tourism Commission (CTC). The international torchbearers - comprised of former Olympic athletes as well as entertainers and media celebrities - are carrying the flame to share the Olympic spirit while inspiring a global audience with images from Canada.

Still to come:

    -   Nov. 17: Olympic speed skater Ikue Teshigawara from Japan in Port
        Hawkesbury, NS
    -   Nov. 22: Olympic speed skater Yang Yang from China in Summerside, PEI
    -   Nov. 24: Olympic swimmer César Cielo from Brazil at Hopewell Rocks,
        NB
    -   Dec. 3: Torchbearer to be confirmed in Québec City, QC
    -   Dec. 17: Bollywood star Akshay Kumar from India in Toronto, ON
    -   Jan. 7: Olympic ski jumper Michael "Eddie the Eagle" Edwards from the
        UK in Winnipeg, MB
    -   Jan. 11: Olympic figure skater Philippe Candeloro from France in
        Wanuskewin Heritage Park, SK
    -   Jan. 19: Canadian-German opera singer Anna Maria Kaufmann from
        Germany in Calgary, AB
    -   Jan. 25: Olympic speed skater Ye Qiaobo from China in Osoyoos, BC
    -   Feb. 5: Olympic rower Matthew Pinsent from the UK in Whistler, BC
    -   Feb. 11: An NBC Today Show anchor from the US in Burnaby, BC

About the CTC

The CTC is Canada's national tourism marketing organization. Our vision is inspiring the world to explore Canada. With our partners in the tourism industry and the governments of Canada, the provinces and the territories, we advertise and market Canada in 12 countries around the world, conduct industry research and studies, and promote product and industry development. For daily updates on CTC initiatives, subscribe to CTC News, available through RSS feeds and by e-mail.

For further information: Jitka Licenik, Corporate Communications Advisor, Canadian Tourism Commission, Tel: [phone], [e-mail], www.mediacentre.canada.travel