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RE: Shania to carry Olympic torch through Timmins! - Pics & videos p.2

Tommy · Guru

Shania Twain Carries Olympic Torch Through Hometown

Thousands of fans turned out in frigid weather to see Shania Twain carry the Olympic torch into her hometown of Timmins, Ontario.

Shania Twain to guest-judge American Idol

"I feel proud, very proud," the Canadian-born country star was quoted as saying by The Associated Press. "It's a highlight of my life to be able to carry the flame, to light the cauldron."

The 44-year-old Twain, who was thoroughly bundled up for the 16-below-zero conditions, noted that the weather is a given in her hometown. "I know that sounds crazy, but it wouldn't be Timmins if it wasn't 40 below with the wind chill factor!" she said.

The torch's trek began Oct. 30 and will continue until it reaches its final destination — Vancouver — on Feb. 12 for the 2010 Winter Olympic Games. Coverage of the event will air on NBC through Feb. 28.

http://www.tvguide.com/News/Shania-Twain-Carries-1013366.aspx

Tommy · Guru

Canadian native Shania Twain carries Oly torch

TIMMINS, Ontario (AP) -- Country singer Shania Twain carried the Olympic torch in arctic conditions in her childhood hometown on Friday, as the torch relay continued ahead of the 2010 winter Olympics in Vancouver.

Twain carried the torch for 400 meters and lit a cauldron in the town of Timmins, in the eastern Canadian province of Ontario.

"I feel proud, very proud," Twain said. "It's a highlight of my life to be able to carry the flame, to light the cauldron."

At 26 degrees below zero (-16 F) and windy, it was so cold that when a dozen red beach balls were tossed into the crowd, the balls came apart within seconds.

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

The torch was lit in Olympia, Greece, in October 2009 and will travel around Canada before lighting the cauldron at the opening ceremony of the games on Feb. 12.

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2010/olympics/01/02/twain.torch.ap/index.html

Tommy · Guru

This video clearly shows the relay of the flame to Shania from the torchbearer before her.

Olympics Torch Relay in Timmins at 6:54pm on January 1, 2010. Shania Twain carrying the torch to Hollinger Park to light the caldron. It was a warm reception despite the -30*C outside.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ujrgd7HkpsQ

Tommy · Guru

Timmins toughs it out, Sault moves torch bash inside

Only a handful of celebrations switched to indoor setting

Posted By Brian Kelly, The Sault Star

A frosty Mother Nature couldn't stop an outdoor Olympic torch celebration in Timmins Friday.

But her less-frigid ways put a kibosh on a similar bash in Sault Ste. Marie Saturday.

Country singer, and former Timmins resident, Shania Twain and 7,000 to 9,000 bundled-up onlookers braced temperatures that hit - 40 C with the wind chill. In the Sault, it felt like - 26 C.

VANOC and local organizers decided to move the Sault Ste. Marie community celebration indoors even though the frigid air wasn't nearly as nasty.

The city bash welcoming the torch on Day 65 of its cross-country journey was supposed to be held outside the Essar Centre. The downtown arena was supposed to be open just for people to warm up or use the washrooms.

But that changed in the late morning Saturday. A press release dispatched early that afternoon said the event would be held inside the arena due to "inclement weather conditions."

"What is the best environment we can create for our celebration? In Sault Ste. Marie we were comfortable with the contingency venue that we had in place," said Andrew Greenlaw, torch relays marketing manager, in an interview Saturday night.

"We just felt coming indoors provided a much more enjoyable experience in this instance than staying outdoors."

Greenlaw said the decision "was taken, quite frankly, with some local information."

VANOC has held about 100 community celebrations since the relay started in Victoria, B.C., on Oct. 30.

Only about a half-dozen have been moved indoors due weather-related factors such as high winds, rain and frigid temperatures.

"Ultimately we try to do as many as possible indoors," said Greenlaw.

"We're a winter country. It's a winter relay. We always strive to go outdoors, but we also know that we want to really connect with Canadians and given them a great impression and positive experience."

Olympic torch bearer Mark Hamill welcomed the chance to run in the numbing cold.

The Toronto resident, sponsored by RBC, carried the flame along Queen Street East.

"I'm not going to feel the cold today," he said before the run started.

"I'm sure a lot of people will be happy inside, but for me it could be - 100 C and I'm flying."

http://www.saultstar.com/ArticleDisplay.aspx?e=2244947

Tommy · Guru

Another good video:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_4gLtIX-zLY

Tommy · Guru

Great video with introduction and closeup shot of Shania.

This video shows Shania carrying the torch into Hollinger Park, Timmins, Ontario, on January 1, 2010 and lighting the community cauldron. Despite the -35 temperature, the park was filled with fans...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QMiAKYqgkww

Tommy · Guru

Video:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_4gLtIX-zLY

Tommy · Guru

Cool montage!!!

http://www.yourplacetowatch.com/index.php?subcat=4

Tommy · Guru

Olympic spirit
Posted By KATE MCLAREN, THE DAILY PRESS

Spirits shone as brightly as the Olympic flame Sunday as athletes from across Northeastern Ontario participated in the Special Olympics Regional Winter Games.

Excitement was in the air as torch and flag bearers stepped onto the ice surface to "Believe," the theme for the 2010 Vancouver Olympics.

"Everyone's very enthusiastic," said Cathy Davis, one of the organizers for the Timmins Games. "It's great that everyone has a chance to compete, no matter what their abilities."

Although above average temperatures forced the cancellation of Gary Perkins' event, cross-country ski, the Timmins athlete was unfazed.

"It's OK," he said Sunday morning, after the opening ceremonies held at the McIntyre Arena. "I'm going to go cheer on the snowshoers today instead."

Competing helps them build camaraderie, pride, and realize skills some of them didn't even know they had.

Diane Wahlman, Region 10 co-ordinator, Special Olympics

Perkins has already competed for a spot in the provincial competition.

"I'm pretty fast, and I like to win," he added. "I train a lot, sometimes I do 7.5 kilometres."

Perkins is one of about 60 athletes who competed in events which include figure skating, snowshoeing, curling, and floor hockey.

Participants travelled from as far as Hearst and New Liskeard for this year's games.

"This year's games are important, because it's a qualifying year for the provincials," explained Diane Wahlman, Region 10 co-ordinator for the Special Olympics. "Competing helps them build camaraderie, pride, and realize skills some of them didn't even know they had.

"Plus it's physical activity for them, and it gives them something to focus on. They have a lot of fun," she added.

Julia Romualdi is a 14-year-old figure skater who earned first place, and a spot at the provincials, with her Ratatouille routine yesterday morning. The R. Ross Beattie student has been skating since the age of four, and is so comfortable on the ice that she rarely gets the jitters.

"I never get nervous," she said. "I just feel proud of myself, and I show that on the ice when I skate."

Romualdi kept an eye to the TV during the 2010 Vancouver Olympics, and said there was one skater she looked up to.

"I really liked Joannie (Rochette)," she said. "Her mom died, and she still skated and won a medal."

Carrying the torch during the Special Olympics opening ceremony was 15-year-old Riley Kolisnyk, who handed the torch off to a famous face as an official torchbearer for the 2010 games.

"I handed the torch to Shania (Twain)," he said. "She asked me how it was. She was really nice."

Kolisnyk, a long distance runner, was chosen as a torchbearer by his school, Timmins High and Vocational, because of obstacles he had recently overcome.

"I had a brain injury last summer, and since then I've been working really hard," he said. "It's pretty cool that I got the opportunity to carry the torch. It was amazing."

Timmins speed skater Nicholas Dagenais has been successful not just in the regionals. The 18 year old participated in the Worlds in Idaho in February, where he earned second place. For Dagenais, the best part of any games is the racing.

"When I get out on the ice, I just let everything go, my mind is clear, and I do what I came here to do," he said. "The adrenaline rush is awesome. It's a really good feeling."

Fellow racer Nicole Ferguson agrees.

"My goal is to make provincials, and I'm always trying to beat my personal best," she said.

After thinking for a minute, she modifies her answer slightly.

"Well, my biggest goal is to have fun, and it's great to be with all of my friends."

Special Olympians who qualify for the provincial games will compete in Thunder Bay in February of next year.

http://www.timminspress.com/ArticleDisplay.aspx?e=2491901

karina817 · Newbie

Hope tokyo 2020 olympics event will successfully happen

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Shania Twain Carries Olympic Torch in Hometown

Only a handful of celebrations switched to indoor setting

Posted By Brian Kelly, The Sault Star