Simon Whitfield and Catriona Le May Doan Lead off Longest Olympic Torch Relay

November 1, 2009

Two-time Olympic medallist, Simon Whitfield, joined double Olympic gold medallist, Catriona Le May Doan to kickoff the 2010 Olympic Torch Relay in Victoria.
Whitfield and Le May Doan were the first to carry the flame in the torches 106-day odyssey that will travel throughout Canada.

Whitfield was ecstatic to be selected as one of the relay's first torchbearers. Together, with speed-skater, Le May Doan, and Whitfield held the sleek white torch high towards the sky, its thick flame clearly visible, before jogging a short distance to the next carriers, as the crowd roared with delight.

"I was a bit nerve-wracking, actually. I felt the pressure to do it right for all Canadians. This is very special."

The Olympic Torch Relay is the longest ever as it will travel by land, air and water to more than 44,000 kilometres by 12,000 people to more 1,000 communities across Canada.