​BRAMPTON April 2, 2015 – Brampton is proud to announce Kate Van Buskirk as the Brampton community torchbearer for the TORONTO 2015 Pan Am Games Torch Relay, presented by President’s Choice® and OLG.



The torch relay will visit Brampton on Tuesday, June 23 and Wednesday, June 24 and will feature Kate Van Buskirk as the community torchbearer at the community celebration on June 23 in Gage Park.



A Brampton native, Kate has competed in major international competitions around the globe, highlighted by winning the bronze medal in the 1,500 metre in July 2014 at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, Scotland.



A graduate of Turner Fenton and Duke University, Van Buskirk now trains with Athletics Toronto and has won the 1,500 metre the last two years at the Canadian senior track and field championships, as well as a number of other competitions.



“All Brampton residents, myself included, are very excited and proud to have Kate Van Buskirk carry the Pan Am flame in Brampton ,” says Mayor Linda Jeffrey. “The torch relay will be a highlight for the community and a fun and exciting event for all Brampton residents.”



During the 41-day torch relay, each of the 3,000 torchbearers will complete, on average, a 200-metre relay segment. The torch will be carried by more than 60 modes of transportation and exceed 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,” says Saäd Rafi, chief executive officer, TO2015. “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 (or 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.



About the TORONTO 2015 Pan Am Games Torch Relay

The TORONTO 2015 Pan Am Games Torch Relay, presented by President’s Choice® and OLG, is supported by community partner CIBC and signature supporters Star Media Group and Metroland Media, Ontario Trillium Foundation and Porter Airlines. The torch relay will invite Canadians to celebrate and share the Pan Am spirit throughout its 41-day journey towards Toronto, the Host City of the Games.



The torch relay starts May 30, 2015, and concludes July 10, 2015, with the dramatic lighting of the cauldron at the Opening Ceremony in downtown Toronto.

The TORONTO 2015 Games are funded by the Government of Canada, the Province of Ontario, as well as Lead Partner CIBC and other partners and sponsors.



For more information, visit TORONTO2015.org/torch-relay.



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For further information, please contact:



Jill MacCannell

Coordinator marketing and communications, TO2015

416.996.4076 relaymedia@toronto2015.org



