Olympic Torch Relay comes to Ottawa
The Olympic Torch Relay will come to Ottawa on Saturday, December 12, 2009 shortly after noon and will leave Ottawa on Monday, December 14 in the morning. More than 220 torchbearers will carry the flame around the city in a route covering more than 100 kilometres. Official Welcome – Bells will be ringing at Ottawa City Hall on Saturday, December 12 as an honour guard greets the Olympic Flame arriving at Marion Dewar Plaza around 2:15 p.m. Residents are invited to join local Olympians and dignitaries in this free celebration at 110 Laurier Avenue West. The City of Ottawa’s official Olympic torchbearer, Mélissa Brunet will run with the Olympic flame to the welcoming ceremony and help to light the community cauldron. His Worship Larry O’Brien will preside over festivities including raising of the Vancouver 2010 Olympic flag to a fanfare by the Cameron Highlanders of Ottawa Pipes and Drums, and singing of the national anthem by the Ottawa resident, Alex Lacasse. The Hon. John Baird, Canada’s Minister of Transport and Infrastructure and MP for Ottawa-West Nepean, Hon. Gary Lunn, Minister of State (Sport), Hon. Jim Watson, Ontario’s Minister for Municipal Affairs and Housing, Hon. Madeleine Meilleur, Ontario’s Minister of Community and Social Services, Minister Responsible for Francophone Affairs, and Ottawa Centre MPP Yasir Naqvi, will be there to mark the occasion. Also present will be local Olympic medallists Barbara Ann Scott, Sue Holloway, Elizabeth Manley, Rob Marland and Greg Joy. Join the celebration! Olympic Flame Route – The Olympic Torch Relay will pass through many parts of the city over three days and residents are invited to cheer the torchbearers along the route. For exact details of the course that the flame will take through the city, visit the Vancouver 2010 Olympic Games website. There will be minor traffic restrictions from Saturday, December 12 to Monday, December 14 including road closures, parking restrictions and OC Transpo bus diversions. This special event is being held as part of the Olympic torch’s 45,000 kilometre journey across Canada that will culminate with the lighting of the Olympic Cauldron next February during the opening ceremonies of the Vancouver 2010 Olympic Winter Games. Other Activities in the Region |
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