Akshay Kumar, the leading star of the Indian film industry, has arrived in “Bollywood North” to run with the Olympic Flame in Toronto on 17th December 2009. Superstar, Akshay, is an international torchbearer with the Vancouver 2010 Olympic Torch Relay, presented by Coca-Cola and RBC and supported by the Government of Canada. He will take up the torch on Yonge Street, between Gloucester Street and Breadalbane Street, at approximately 6.10pm.
The Vancouver Organizing Committee for the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games (VANOC), in collaboration with the Canadian Tourism Commission (CTC), has selected international torchbearers to participate in the 2010 Olympic Torch Relay International Media Program to maximize international awareness of the relay and spread the excitement and Olympic spirit around the world.
The international torchbearers are from CTC’s global markets and include former Olympic athletes as well as internationally recognised entertainers and media celebrities from across the globe. Their journeys through Canada will be broadcast and shared in their home countries during both the Vancouver 2010 Olympic Torch Relay and the 2010 Winter Games, all to inspire the world to travel to Canada.
Akshay Kumar, who calls Canada his home away from home and supports numerous Canadian charities including the Trillium Health Centre in Toronto, comments, “I am honoured and privileged to have been selected as an official torchbearer for the Vancouver 2010 Olympic Games. Running with the Olympic Flame in Toronto gives me an exceptional opportunity to represent India and all of my fans. The torch represents a symbol of freedom, peace and global friendship, and I would like to thank Canada for this honour and recognition.”
Michele McKenzie, President and CEO, Canadian Tourism Commission, comments, “Akshay Kumar is a global star, a citizen of the world, and a friend to Canada. Akshay’s fans will join him in person or virtually as he runs along the world’s longest street—Yonge Street. His presence and exuberance will inspire the Olympic spirit in all of us and draw the world’s attention to this magical moment in Toronto.”
