Bollywood?s Akshay Kumar Carries the Olympic Flame
In the glamorous world of Bollywood, it doesn?t get much bigger than Akshay Kumar! This Indian superstar of more than 120 films has come to ?Bollywood North? to run with the Olympic Flame in Toronto on Dec. 17.
"I am honoured and privileged to have been selected as an official torchbearer for the Vancouver 2010 Olympic Games," says Akshay Kumar. "Running with the Olympic Flame in Toronto gives me an exceptional opportunity to represent India and all of my fans. The torch represents a symbol of freedom, peace and global friendship, and I would like to thank Canada for this honour and recognition."
Kumar calls Canada his home away from home, and supports numerous Canadian charities, including the Trillium Health Centre in Toronto.
“Akshay Kumar is a global star, a citizen of the world, and a friend to Canada. Akshay’s fans will join him in person or virtually as he runs along the world’s longest street?Yonge Street. His presence and exuberance will inspire the Olympic spirit in all of us and draw the world’s attention to this magical moment in Toronto,” said Michele McKenzie, president and CEO of the Canadian Tourism Commission.
The Vancouver Organizing Committee for the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games (VANOC), in collaboration with the Canadian Tourism Commission (CTC), has selected international torchbearers to participate in the 2010 Olympic Torch Relay International Media Program to maximize international media coverage of the relay and spread the excitement and Olympic spirit around the world.
The international torchbearers are from CTC’s global markets and include former Olympic athletes as well as entertainers and media celebrities. Their journeys through Canada will be broadcast and shared in their home countries during both the Vancouver 2010 Olympic Torch Relay and the 2010 Winter Games, all to inspire the world to travel to Canada.
Photos of Kumar’s torch run and Toronto tourism experiences will be available shortly after his run time can be found HERE.
Footage will also be available HERE at 11:00 a.m. on Dec. 18.
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