Earlier this winter, 3 of our very own Longo’s team members had the honour of proudly carrying the Olympic torch. It’s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to be chosen as an official Torch Bearer. Our President and CEO, Anthony Longo and team members Leith Nakash (Longo’s York Mills) and Mitch Klinger (Longo’s Maple) were one of the 12,000 people who will have the opportunity to carry the Olympic torch as it travels from Ancient Olympia towards Vancouver, BC, site of the Vancouver 2010 Olympic Winter Games.
Anthony Longo in downtown Toronto
Leith Nakash in Newmarket
Mitch Klinger in Nobleton
I, myself, along with my son and a bunch of other Longo’s family, friends and team members, got up at the wee hours of 4:30 in the morning to head downtown to watch Anthony carry the torch. I tell you, I didn’t expect it to be such an emotional experience!
Longo’s stores also participated in the Torch Relay festivities as 4 of our stores experienced the relay passing by in front of our stores this past December (Markham, York Mills, Aurora, Rutherford).
The 2010 Olympic Torch Relay, presented by Coca-Cola and RBC began its journey across Canada on October 30th and will conclude at the opening ceremonies with the last runner carrying the torch into the Olympic Stadium (Vancouver’s BC Place) for the lighting of the Olympic Cauldron on February 12th, signaling the start of the games. The Olympic Flame symbolizes the principles of peace, brotherhood and friendship. The Flame will be lit from the last torch bearer (to be named) and will remain lit until it is ceremoniously extinguished at the Closing Ceremonies on February 28th. The Torch Relay itself symbolizes the passing of Olympic traditions from one generation to the next.
Before arriving in Canada, the Olympic Torch was lit in a traditional ceremony in Olympia, Greece on October 22nd, 2009. After travelling across Greece, it was handed over to representatives of the Vancouver Organizing Committee and boarded a trans-Atlantic flight which arrived in Victoria, BC.
Facts about the Olympic Torch Relay:
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The Olympic Flame will travel by land, air and water during its 106-day journey as it visits more than 1,000 communities across Canada
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Over 45,000 km will be travelled
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The majority of the 12,000 people who have the honour of being an Olympic Torchbearer are selected through public programs
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Each Torchbearer will carry the 3.3lb (1.5kg) torch approximately 300-400 meters at their own pace
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Each Torchbearer is given an official uniform to wear while participating as an Olympic Torchbearer. It was designed and manufactured by the Hudson’s Bay Company and torchbearers get to keep theirs.
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Torchbearers have the opportunity to purchase their Olympic Torch as a keepsake for $400 (the red Olympic mittens, however, are only $10 a pair)
Stay tuned February 12th for my blog which compares mealtime and everyday to the Olympic Games!
Also, February 12 is the release date of Longo’s newest Experience Magazine filled with exciting ideas for Olympic food dishes like “Pizza Potato Skin Luge” and “It’s Sweet to Be Canadian” baked brie.