Bob Rogers* lit the flame of the 2015 Pan Am Games in Greater Sudbury this evening, marking the Nickel City stop on the torch's 20,000-kilometre journey to Toronto.
Rogers, who has been active in the local healthy community movement for more than 20 years, will carry the torch in Greater Sudbury on June 2, the city said in a news release. In his 35-year involvement in Canadian sport, one of Rogers' highlights was being assistant Chef de Mission for Canada’s Olympic Team at the 1998 Olympic Winter Games in Nagano Japan.
The torch arrived at the Grace Hartman Amphitheatre in Bell Park this evening, where Sudburians cheered on Rogers as he lit the cauldron.
“The Pan-Am Games are an influential platform to promote the benefits of physical activity as part of healthy competition,” Greater Sudbury Mayor Brian Bigger is quoted as saying in the release. “Bob’s selection as torch bearer is fitting given his contributions to physical activity and healthy projects both here at home and around the world.”
During the 41-day torch relay, each of the 3,000 torchbearers will complete an average of 200 metres in a relay segment. The torch will be carried by more than 60 modes of transportation and travel more than 5,000 kilometres on the road and 15,000 kilometres by air.
“The torch is a unique symbol of the Pan Am Games and carries a powerful energy that will unite Canadians,” Saäd Rafi, chief executive officer, TO2015, said in the release. “The torchbearers will proudly carry the flame through more than 130 communities, igniting the Pan Am spirit as they go.”
Featured on the torch are the United We Play! pictograms — colourful depictions of people in motion — symbolizing the assembly of athletes through the celebration of sport and culture. The aluminum torch stands 65 centimetres high and weighs 1.2 kilograms -- roughly the same weight as a baseball bat. With a burn time of 10 to 12 minutes, the flame can withstand winds of up to 70 kilometres per hour and is visible in all kinds of weather conditions.
The torch bearers will take the flame one step closer on its 41-day journey towards Toronto, the host city of the Games.
The relay began May 30 and concludes July 10 with the dramatic lighting of the cauldron at the Opening Ceremony in downtown Toronto.
Click the link to see the torch's arrival this evening in Bell Park and check back to NorthernLife.ca tomorrow for more photos.
*A previous version of this story mistakenly referred to Bob Rogers as Pat.
