Screaming fans welcome Shania Twain on torch run

Posted By Len Gillis

Shania Twain jumps up smiling and waving as she enters the Hollinger Park in Timmins carrying the Olympic Torch.

Despite bitterly cold temperatures and a biting wind, Shania Twain wowed the hometown crowd in Timmins this evening as she ran the final leg of the Olympic Torch Run into the Hollinger Park and Fred Salvador Field. More than a thousand fans that endured the minus 30 wind-chill, screamed and cheered as the hometown singing star entered the field.

Twain, clad in the familiar white torchbearers uniform was clearly as delighted as her fans as she proceeded the final few metres to the stage, she stopped for a quick photo opportunity and jumped up and down, smiling and waving. Moments later, Twain ran onto the stage where she used the Olympic torch to light a ceremonial cauldron to kick off an evening of entertainment.

http://www.timminstimes.com/ArticleDisplay.aspx?e=2243847

Loonie Echo wrote:

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here is the 1st youtube vid of Shania - not great quality, but better than CTV so far

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rt3kCR8U4oE

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...thanks..

TIMMINS, Ont. — Canadian country music superstar Shania Twain returned to her hometown Saturday night to carry the Olympic torch.

An enthusiastic crowd estimated at 1,000 people bundled up to greet Twain as she entered Hollinger Park in Timmins and then lit the community cauldron. Twain was the final runner on Day 64 of the torch’s 106-day-cross-Canada relay on a frosty northern Ontario day where the temperature was estimated at -35 C with the wind chill.

It was so cold, local media reported, that a giant TV screen placed behind the portable stage simply failed to function.

But a clearly delighted Twain was unfazed.

“It just feels really beautiful to be back up north in the cold," she said. "It wouldn’t be Timmins . . . you know, forty below with the wind-chill!

“I think this is so fantastic," she told the master of ceremonies. "What it shows is the spirit of the people from the north to be standing out there on the road for all these hours in the freezing cold; all of you, it really does show your spirit. I am glad to be home. I am glad to a part of this."

Earlier in the day, the relay passed through Kirkland Lake, Ont., where it was greeted by a children’s choir and native drummers. The day before, the torch visited Temagami, Ont., New Liskeard, Ont., and Rouyn-Noranda, Que., and Val d’Or, Que.

Saturday, the relay continues through northern Ontario with stops that include Sudbury and Sault Ste. Marie.

The torch’s trek began Oct. 30 in Victoria. The flame has since passed through northern Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba. It has also made stops in the Yukon, Northwest Territories and Nunavut, as well as Newfoundland, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, New Brunswick and Quebec.

The torch will make an appearance in 1,000 communities before Feb. 12, when it reaches its final destination of the 2010 Olympic Games in Vancouver.

http://www.canada.com/news/Superstar+Shania+Twain+carries+Olympic+torch+into+frosty+Timmins/2397520/story.html

Shania fires up torch

Thousands cheer as Twain carries Olympic flame into Hollinger Park

Posted By Chelsey Romain, The Daily Press

Not even the most frigid temperatures could keep Timmins from showing off its community spirit as the Olympic flame made its way through the city on its way to Vancouver.

Thousands waited in Hollinger Park as country singing superstar Shania Twain made her way on the torch's final 300 metres of the Timmins leg. They all cheered as the precious flame lit the Olympic cauldron on stage.

Officials estimate anywhere between 7,000 and 9,000 people attended the celebration on New Year's Day. Many others lined the torch's route from Porcupine through Timmins.

The crowd erupted as Twain made her way into Hollinger Park toward the stage. She proudly carried the torch and lit the cauldron, before taking a few moments and speaking to the crowd, as her son Eja, looked on, waving from the front of the crowd.

"This is so fantastic, it's pretty overwhelming," Twain said. "I know we could have probably had warmer weather, but in a way it just feels really beautiful to be back up North in the cold.

"I know that sounds crazy, but it wouldn't be Timmins if it wasn't 40 below with the wind chill."

Twain went on to say that the fact that all those people stood out in the crowd in the freezing weather only proves the spirit people from the North have.

She wished luck to all Olympians, and said how happy she was to be back in her hometown.

"I'm honoured," said Twain. "I'm extremely proud and it's a highlight of my life to be able to be here to carry the torch."

When asked how she felt about the Olympics themselves being held in her home country, Twain said that no matter where she has travelled in the world, Canadians are much loved, and that is something Canadians should be proud of. She also had some words of encouragement for all those out there in Timmins, both young and young at heart.

"I say go for your dreams, never lose hope and hold on to spirit," she said. "Not just of your hometown, although Timmins has a fantastic home spirit, of course it does, and I think I carry that with me everywhere I go.

"But just be yourself and take that with you wherever you go, that's what's most important."

Interactive displays, and entertainment provided by the community, as well as the Vancouver Olympic Committee and sponsors Coca-Cola and RBC, kept the crowd warm, dancing and singing, as they patiently awaited the torch's arrival.

Local celebration committee chairman Timmins Police Service Sgt. Al Richardson said minus a glitch with the stage, organizers were thrilled with how things turned out.

"We're absolutely excited, we had a few technical difficulties to begin the stage was broken when it came across Canada - it's a little too cold for it up here," Richardson said, "This is huge, to be part of the Olympic spirit to have this stop in our community.

"It's once in a lifetime for Timmins, and our citizens, I'm almost speechless."

For one Timmins student, being able to carry the torch, and even receive a hug from Twain, was a moment of a lifetime.

Fifteen-year-old Timmins High and Vocational student Riley Kolisnyk, was able to hand off the torch to Twain at the corner of Algonquin Blvd. and Brunette Rd.

"This is wonderful, amazing, I can't believe it," he said. "I don't know how to explain it. It's emotional."

Riley is a long-distance track runner. He said being able to be a part of the Olympic experience was a great experience.

"It's the best thing ever," said Riley. "It was such an honour."

MP Charlie Angus (NDP — Timmins-James Bay) as well as Mayor Tom Laughren were both a part of the ceremony, and Angus said Timmins is a community that knows the importance of community spirit.

"When you look at a world with so much heartbreak and violence, the Olympic flame reminds us that we can come together to be something more," Angus said. "Here in Timmins, where so many people from so many countries came to build a life, it is a symbol."

Laughren said that the World Under-17 Hockey Challenge taking place at the same time as the torch relay,only further proves what the city is capable of achieving.

"When you see the atmosphere of the torch being carried in, it really makes you reflect on what the Olympics mean not only to the world, but specifically to Canadians and the people in Timmins," Laughren said. "We're very, very proud, and we're very glad things have worked out."

Laughren's speech was met with roars from the crowd as he mentioned Timmins long ties with the Olympics. Acknowledging the efforts of Timmins Olympians Laurie and Kathy Kriener, as well as Jason Gervais, Laughren said Timmins is no stranger to the spirit of the Olympics.

Much discussion took place in the community regarding who was chosen to carry the torch on its last leg in Timmins, and Laughren said there was no shortage of people the city could have chosen. However, only one was allowed.

"We wanted to ensure we had a great event and that we had people to come out," said Laughren, who only met the singing sensation for the first time yesterday.

"For Shania to come back to her hometown and do this for us is really remarkable and in this weather we can't thank her enough.

"I have to say she's a real trooper."

http://www.timminspress.com/ArticleDisplay.aspx?e=2243870

PurplePeopleEater wrote:

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Tommy

Thanks for staying up most of the night and having these wonderful pieces ready for us to read this morning!

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