2010 Olympic Torch Relay Begins in Victoria

On Friday, October 30th, Victoria, British Columbia will be hosting the launch of the Canada-wide Olympic Torch Relay leading up to the 2010 Olympic Winter Games to be held in Vancouver and Whistler, British Columbia, Canada beginning February 12, 2010.

Arriving from Olympia, Greece (the home of the Olympic Games), the Olympic Flame will begin its journey in the capital City of British Columbia and travel through the 13 muncipalilties that comprise the Capital Rgional District.

Day 1 of the Olympic Torch Relay will begin on Friday, October 30th at 9:30 am on the lawns of the Provincial Legislature. City of Victoria dignitaries will host an hour-long formal welcoming ceremony in Victoria’s Inner Harbour.

Throughout the day, Olympic Torch bearers will carry the flame through the streets of downtown Victoria, (and Victoria’s oldest neighborhood, James Bay). Best viewing spots include: Inner Harbour; Belleville Street between Menzies and Government Streets, Government Street to Pandora, Centennial Square, Capital Regional District Square, Chinatown, Wharf Street at Johnson Street.

In the evening, (from 5:30 pm – 7:30 pm) the Olympic Flame will make its way through the neighborhoods of Oak Bay and Fairfield and proceed along Dallas Road to Mile Zero around Beacon Hill Park, and along Government Street from Dallas Road to Belleville Street.

According to  Victoria’s Spirit website, the evening celebrations in the Inner Harbour are expected to attract some 50,000 visitors who will be treated to an extravaganza of entertainment, multicultural musical and artistic performances, as well as the presence of local luminaries, athletes and celebrities, topped off with state-of-the-art glow-stick products and a spectacular pyrotechnics finale.

Note: For additional details please check the following links: 

1) The Olympic Torch route and events leading up to the 2010 Olympic Winter Games, please check the"With Glowing Hearts" Winter Olympic Games website.

2) Olympic Torch Arrives From Greece in Victoria – Times Colonist