Torchbearers Announced Today -
2002 Winter Olympic Torch Coming to Sacramento on January 19, 2002

Olympic Torchbearers selected from more than 210,000 nominees nationwide;
Selection process focused around Individual Inspiration

Sacramento California, October 4, 2001 - The Salt Lake Organizing Committee (SLOC), Coca-Cola and Chevrolet today announced Olympic Torchbearers selected to carry the Olympic Flame in the City of Sacramento as it travels on a 65-day, 13,500-mile journey from Atlanta to Salt Lake City. Selected torchbearers were chosen from more than 210,000 nominees. The Olympic Flame will arrive at Sacramento's doorstep on the afternoon of Saturday, January 19, 2002.

"As the flame travels through Sacramento, it will ignite the local spirit of inspiration," said Mitt Romney, president and CEO of the Salt Lake Organizing Committee for the Olympic Winter Games of 2002 (SLOC). "The Torch Relay celebrates not only the athletes who make enormous sacrifices to become Olympians but also the people from all walks of life who have inspired others to succeed."

The Olympic Flame will be lit during a ceremony in Olympia, Greece before traveling to Atlanta - where the flame last rested on American soil - and starting its cross-country journey through 46 states on 4 December 2001. Each day, an average of 180 Torchbearers will carry the flame approximately two-tenths of a mile.

"We are thrilled that citizens from the City of Sacramento and surrounding areas will represent our community as participants in the Salt Lake 2002 Olympic Torch Relay," said Alan Tomiyama, Chairman of the City's Olympic Torch Relay Celebration. "Their stories of inspiration and lives of courageousness motivate all of us to be better, giving us the hope we need to accomplish our own goals. We are deeply proud of these torchbearers and the impact they have in our community."

The Winter Olympic Torch Relay will arrive late afternoon in Sacramento on Saturday, January 19, 2002. The torch make its way from South Sacramento through mid-town and end in Old Sacramento at the 1849 Scene next to the State Railroad Museum. A huge celebration is being planned, including music, food and entertainment. The Department of Parks and Recreation is coordinating the Winter Olympic Torch Relay Celebration with the assistance of the Sacramento Convention and Visitors Bureau, Sacramento Downtown Partnership, State of California Railroad Museum, Discovery Museum and Old Sacramento Management.

Torchbearers were nominated by family members, friends and colleagues who wrote a 50-100-word essay explaining how the nominee embodied the Olympic Spirit and provided inspiration to others and to their community. The nominations were gathered through SLOC, Coca-Cola and Chevrolet during March and April of this year.

Torchbearers will be given an Olympic Torchbearer uniform consisting of a windbreaker jacket, long sleeve T-shirt, wind pants, fleece hat and gloves. Torchbearers also will be able to purchase the Olympic Torch they carry as a reminder of their involvement in the 2002 Olympic Winter Games.

An army of volunteers is being sought to help the Olympic Torch Committee on January 19th. Anyone interested in volunteering is asked to call (916) 264-8830 or e-mail aeortiz@cityofsacramento.org to be placed on the volunteer list.