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Shania hot for torch

OlYMPICS: Twain to carry flame in Timmins

The Daily Press
October 2, 2009
By Chelsey Romain

Shania Twain is coming home for the holidays.

The Timmins Olympic Community Celebration committee announced yesterday that Twain has been selected as the Community Torchbearer for the city when the Olympic flame arrives on Jan. 1, 2010.

"We are elated that the final leg torch runner for the Timmins community celebration will be Ms. Shania Twain," announced Mayor Tom Laughren.

"Since her rise to fame, Shania has been a tireless ambassador of our community and she has taken every opportunity to expound the virtues of her hometown."

Both Laughren and committee chairman Timmins Police Service Sgt. Al Richardson said Twain was on a long list of suggested names for the honour.

Twain's schedule and her genuine excitement to be a part of the event helped make it happen.

"It's an immense honour for me to have been given the opportunity to be an Olympic Torchbearer for the 2010 winter Olympics, being held in my birth country of Canada, in Vancouver, as it takes its journey through my hometown of Timmins," said Laughren, quoting a message from Twain.

"It is certain to be one of the most memorable experiences of my life.

"I am proud to have been presented this unique opportunity and privilege and look forward to sharing the pride with my hometown and fellow Canadians as we are all proud of our country's chance to host the upcoming winter games."

During a press conference, Laughren said Twain was the first choice as the one to carry the torch on its final leg through Timmins.

"I think when you look at her star power and her drawing power, she has always had pride in her hometown, in her country and always been very vocal about that," Laughren said.

"To have her back in the community, I think, is going to be a very positive move and will be very well received, not only by Timmins residents, but surrounding areas."

Members of the local committee, as well as the Vancouver Olympics organizing committee, are looking forward to the light Twain can shine on the torch run.

Known worldwide, Richardson said she will bring vast attention to the community, as well as the games themselves.

The gates for the celebration in Timmins will open at 4:30 p. m. on Jan. 1, 2010, with the game being roughtly 90 days away. The ceremony begins at 6 p. m.

"The torch will wind its way westbound through out community to our Olympic flame celebration at the Hollinger Park," Richardson said. "Halfway through the two-hour celebration program, Shania will carry the Olympic torch in its final 300 metres to the stage, where she will be lighting the 1.3-metre high celebration cauldron, in a move similar to the dramatic highlight that will occur during the opening ceremonies at the Olympic themselves."

There will be several others chosen as torch bearers as the flame makes its way through Timmins, each holding the flame high for 300 metres, but those names are not yet known.

The event will also include entertainment and displays provided by relay partners Coca-Cola Canada and RBC, as well as local performers.

The last time Twain made a public appearance in Timmins was in 2004, when the Shania Twain Centre officially opened its doors.

The celebration will conclude with a fireworks display at 8 p. m.

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