Coca-Cola Unveils Red Ribbon Panel To Help Recommend Vancouver 2010 Olympic Torchbearers

Coca-Cola Canada today announced the creation of a Red Ribbon Panel to make recommendations on candidates hoping to be torchbearers in the Vancouver 2010 Olympic Torch Relay.
Coca-Cola also revealed the first person selected to be a Coca-Cola torchbearer: 18-year-old Patricia Moreno of Vancouver. Her leadership role in the community through programs such as MoreSports, a youth sports program, and her commitment to an active lifestyle clearly represent the Olympic values, making her an ideal Olympic Torchbearer.

The panel is comprised of the following health, wellness and environmental organizations: the Canadian Diabetes Association, the Canadian Society for Exercise Physiology, the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada, ParticipACTION, WWF-Canada and the Vancouver Organizing Committee for the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games (VANOC). Dr. K. Kellie Leitch, Chief, Paediatric Surgery, Children’s Hospital, London, is also serving on the panel.

The panel members will be looking for inspirational, everyday Canadians with unique stories about their dedication, decisions and deeds in becoming more physically active and environmentally conscious, as well as in influencing others in their communities to follow their examples.

“It is about inspiring Canadians to make even a small difference in their lives by having a more active or environmentally sustainable lifestyle,” said David Moran, Director of Public Affairs and Communications at Coca-Cola Canada.

The nomination process via www.iCoke.ca will be conducted in two stages. First, lucky Canadians will be identified by a random draw in May 2009 from the millions of expected applicants. Then, moving beyond the luck-of-the-draw, these nominees will be invited to submit a short story about how they “Live Olympic.”

In their “Live Olympic” stories, Canadians will share personal experiences, achievements and benefits of “Living Active” and “Living Green.” The panel will recommend individuals with exceptional submissions for selection as Olympic Torchbearers.

To help evaluate the stories focused on active, healthy living, the panel will refer to Canada’s Physical Activity Guide produced by the Public Health Agency of Canada and the Canadian Society for Exercise Physiology.

“We’re so excited by the approach that Coca-Cola has developed for the 2010 Olympic Torch Relay,” said Andrea Shaw, Vice President of Sponsorship Sales and Marketing at VANOC. “It captures the spirit and the principles of the Olympic Movement by recognizing people for their initiative, their effort and their accomplishments. Canadians in every corner of the country have the chance to carry the Olympic Flame and create a personal and lasting Olympic experience.”

“This is going to be such a cool experience. Being fit and healthy is an important part of who I am,” said Moreno. “With all my friends and family – and even all of Canada – watching, it will be one of the most amazing and proud moments of my life.”

Coca-Cola understands the critical importance of physical fitness and environmental stewardship, as well as the impact both can have on quality of life, communities and society. So, through the 2010 Olympic Torch Relay, Coca-Cola wants to focus attention on these issues. Do you know someone who Lives Olympic every day? Share this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity with friends, family, and anyone you think should carry the Olympic Flame! You can’t submit their names – they’ve got to step up and nominate themselves.

“Today, one in two Canadian adults is overweight, with one in seven adults being obese,” said Dr. K. Kellie Leitch, Chief, Paediatric Surgery, Children’s Hospital, London. “Canadians need to exercise. I’d like to commend Coca-Cola for using the power of the Olympic Flame to inspire Canadians to lead more active lifestyles.”

Vancouver 2010 Olympic Torch Relay

Coca-Cola is inviting Canadians to nominate themselves for the chance to carry the Olympic Flame through iCoke.ca and sogoactive.com, a national youth active living program presented by Coca-Cola in collaboration with ParticipACTION.

The Vancouver 2010 Olympic Torch Relay route will be the longest domestic torch relay in Olympic history. Beginning its 106-day journey in Victoria, B.C. on October 30, 2009, the Olympic Flame will travel some 45,000 km and visit more than 1,000 communities and points of interest across the country. On February 12, 2010, it arrives in Vancouver to light the Olympic Cauldron during the dramatic Opening Ceremony before a global audience of billions.

The Vancouver 2010 Olympic Torch Relay marks the seventh time Coca-Cola has served as a Presenting Partner of the Olympic Torch Relay, providing Coca-Cola with an opportunity to share the Olympic experience with communities across Canada.

Coca-Cola and the Olympic Movement

The Coca-Cola Company has been associated with the Olympic Games since 1928 and is the longest continuous corporate supporter of the Olympic Movement. Through the Olympic Games, Coca-Cola encourages people to create their own path of “positivity” in everyday life by believing that anything is possible. The Company’s sponsorship supports National Olympic Committees in more than 200 countries to help athletes train and compete. The Coca-Cola Company is the exclusive nonalcoholic beverage provider to the Olympic Games through 2020.

Coca-Cola Canada

The Coca-Cola Company is the world’s largest beverage company. In Canada, the Company is represented by its subsidiary, Coca-Cola Ltd. (Coca-Cola Canada). Coca-Cola is Canada’s largest beverage company. Coca-Cola Canada markets three of Canada’s top nonalcoholic sparkling beverage brands, Coca-Cola, Diet Coke and Sprite, and the leading ready-to-drink tea: Nestea. In addition, our subsidiary is the largest juice and juice drinks company with Minute Maid, Five Alive and Fruitopia. The Company also markets DASANI, PowerAde and other hot and cold beverages.

For more information about Coca-Cola Canada, please visit our website at www.cocacola.ca or our parent company’s website at www.thecoca-colacompany.com.

Media inquiries:

Lena Beyer
Hill & Knowlton Canada