Sean Pearce

Vancouver may be far away, but York Region residents can still catch a glimpse of the Olympic spirit.

That’s because the Olympic torch will be carried around the region during the lead-up to the 2010 Winter Games, passing through all nine municipalities on its way to Vancouver.

Newmarket and Markham, will also have the distinction of being celebration communities along the 45,000-kilometre torch relay route, something that thrills Newmarket Mayor Tony Van Bynen.

 “The Olympic flame symbolizes peace, friendship, inspiration, passion and unity,” he said. “As a community, Newmarket embodies these characteristics and is truly representative of the Olympic spirit.”

It’s truly a delight to have been chosen as one of the celebration communities, Mr. Van Bynen said, adding to mark the designation as a Torch Town, Newmarket will hold a celebration of its own this Saturday starting at 11 a.m. at the Magna Centre.

Newmarket is a fitting choice, he said, especially given that Olympians Josée Chouinard, Melanie Cole and Bobby Forhan have all called the town home.

Aurora Mayor Phyllis Morris, said she, too, is extremely pleased to hear the torch will come through her town.

It will serve as an inspiration to get a jump on 2010 as Aurora’s year of health and fitness, she added.

“It’s just incredible that we’re going to be a part of an event that will be bringing the whole country together; we’re thrilled,” she said.

And bringing the country together is really the thinking behind the 2010 Olympic torch relay route, touted as the longest in Olympic history.

By the relay’s end, the Olympic torch will have passed through 1,000 communi ties and come within a one-hour drive of more than 90 per cent of the Canadian population, organizers said.

“The Olympic torch relay is a tremendous opportunity to unite the country and make the Vancouver 2010 Winter Games Canada’s Games,” Saanich-Gulf Islands MP and Minister of State for Sport Gary Lunn said.  

“This is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to bring together millions of Canadians, in every province and territory, as we celebrate and welcome the passing of the Olympic Flame,” he said.

“As it makes its way across Canada, it will touch the soul of this great nation and inspire the world.”

Those sentiments were echoed by John Furlong the Vancouver organizing committee’s CEO for the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

The goal was to create a route that afforded all Canadians an opportunity to see the torch for themselves, he said.

“Mapping out this route, we wanted to include as many Canadians as possible. It is our dream to unite this country and bring Canadians closer together to rediscover the many cultures and perspectives that make up our nation.

The torch will begin its 106-day journey in Victoria, B.C. Oct. 30, 2009 and make its way to Mt. Pearl, Nfld. by Nov. 13. The torch will arrive in York Region, with stops in Whitchurch-Stouffville, Markham, Richmond Hill and Thornhill Dec. 17. The following day, the torch will travel to Aurora, Newmarket, East Gwillimbury, Georgina, Bradford, King and Vaughan.

For more information on the Olympic Torch Relay go to vancouver2010.com

Carry the torch

You can apply to carry the Olympic torch at icoke.ca or rbc.com/carrythetorch.

Torch hopefuls 13 to 19 can apply to Sogo Active at sogoactive.com.

The Torchbearer program seeks individuals who commit to living healthier or are inspired to make a stronger country by volunteering or making sustainable choices. Pre-registration for the program started Nov. 21.