Winter Olympics 2010 - The Winter Olympics Torch Relay From Greece to Vancouver

The highly anticipated 2010 Winter Olympics is almost here. The opening ceremony of the official 21st Winter Olympic Games is of course in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada on February 12, 2010. But prior to this the Winter Olympics Torch Relay has been traveling all over the world since October 30, 2009 to remind people everywhere that the most prestigious athletic event ever broadcasted is at our fingertips.

Helping as official torchbearers will be about 12,000 Canadian citizens overall. These include Canadian celebrities such as Sidney Crosby, the hockey player and the lovely Shania Twain. The Mayor of Victoria was thrilled to have the Torch Relay begin in his city as they have hosted and co-hosted several international sports events with success in the past. Again, Greater Victoria will be in the spotlight which is a very exciting thing for Mayor Lowe and the Mayor-Elect Dean Fortin.

The 2010 Torch Relay was set off with the first torch being carried by the Olympic skier named Vassilis Dimitriadis. Of course this was initiated in Olympia, Greece because that is where these athletic games have their roots. The Olympic Flame or "Torch" is a symbol of the Olympic games because it commemorates the theft of the fire from Greek god Zeus by Prometheus. Where its origins lie, the fire keeps burning throughout the entire Olympic games as celebration and ode to the ancient Olympics.

The route for this Torch Relay began in October in the historical city of Olympia, Greece. After that the enthusiasts took loops back and forth from North America to Europe to Asia, visiting major cities world wide. In November there was a loop to Nova Scotia from Whitehorse, Yukon, and in December the torch lit up Niagara Falls and Windsor. The tour will end right before the opening ceremonies in West Vancouver within the Vancouver BC Place Stadium.

The torches used for this 2010 Torch Relay are made from designers Bombardier Inc.'s Aerospace division. They beautiful white torches that have the Olympics logo and an ode to Vancouver on it. HIDs are not the primary light source rather fire is the main source of energy. Actress Maria Napfliotou played the role of the High Priestess this year and ignited the flame with the use of a parabolic mirror and the sun's ray. Now how about that for pumping us up for the winter games!