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KITCHENER – Witnessing the arrival of the Olympic Torch Relay in the heart of downtown Kitchener on Dec. 27 will be even more memorable for city bylaw officer Justin Harris. That’s because the following day, Justin will be running with the flame himself, as the torch makes its way from Kitchener to Orangeville.

“I am ecstatic to be part of history as one of 12,000 people across the country who have been given the honour of carrying the Olympic torch,” Harris said. “Running with the flame -- let alone in your home country -- is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. I am so proud to be part of such an amazing event.”

Harris applied to be a torchbearer last spring when RBC, one of the official corporate sponsors of the Olympic Torch Relay, along with Coca-Cola, launched its nationwide online contest, allowing Canadians to apply to be official torchbearers as the relay makes its way to the 2010 Olympic Winter Games in Vancouver, B.C.

In his application, Harris described in great detail how he is committed to bettering his community - and Canada as a whole. Each year, Harris helps organize and takes part in the Motorcycle Ride for Dad -- Grand River chapter, which raises funds for prostate-cancer research.

Within a couple of months, Harris learned he’s been short-listed as a potential torchbearer -- and then the good news he’d been waiting for arrived this past summer.

Harris is scheduled to run 300 metres with the Olympic flame at approximately 10:17 a.m. in Orangeville.

“I’m an avid fan of both the Summer and Winter Olympics; I’ve watched them for as long as I can remember,” Harris said, adding that he’s looking forward to introducing his own two sons to the Olympic experience. “My seven-year-old son Ethan has already asked his teacher if I can come in after the holidays and speak to his class about my experience as a torchbearer. It means a lot to me that he would see me as a role model that way.”

Background

Kitchener has been selected as a celebration community that will host the Olympic Torch Relay, en route to the 2010 Olympic Winter Games in Vancouver, B.C.

The flame will arrive in Kitchener by 7 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 27, 2009; and depart early the next morning, Monday Dec. 28.

Festivities planned for Dec. 27, beginning at 3 p.m. at Kitchener City Hall, include:

Family entertainment
Group dance performances
Face-painting, crafts and interactive school displays
Skating on Civic Square
Appearances by local Olympic athletes
Food and beverages by local groups
Skating demos and minor hockey games.
The Olympic Torch is scheduled to arrive in Kitchener at 7 p.m.

An Aboriginal sunrise celebration will then take place at 6 a.m., Dec. 28, at city hall, marking the departure of the torch.

For more information on the local celebrations, please visit www.kitchener.ca