Bollywood star carries the Olympic torch to Toronto

Indian film superstar, Akshay Kumar, who has appeared in more than 90 Bollywood films, including the Khiladi series, India's version of James Bond, arrives in downtown Toronto, Ontario on December 17 with the 2010 Olympic Flame. Due to arrive at 6:10 pm ET, he will be running along Yonge Street.

As a Special Olympics ambassador, Kumar is one of 14 international athletes and celebrities in the Olympic Torch Relay across Canada to the 2010 Winter Games in Vancouver, BC, February 12-28. Of the 12,000 torchbearers, several Olympic medalists are participants in the relay including Korean speed skater Chun Lee-Kyung, Australian aerial skier Alisa Camplin, Brazilian swimmer Cesar Cielo, German cross-county skier Peter Schlickenrieder.

The 106-day journey began in Greece on October 22 where the torch was lit as a symbol of peace, brotherhood and friendship. The journey across Canada started in Victoria, British Columbia and the route visits 1,000 communities.

On Day 52, it will arrive at the famous Niagara Falls on December 20. It will travel through all the Canadian provinces, through national parks and UNESCO World Heritage Sites, Anne of Green Gables House on Prince Edward Island, to the Northwest Territories and Nunavut at the world's northernmost permanently inhabited community.

Upcoming Olympic athletes carrying the Olympic Flame include, Eddie "The Eagle" Edwards, the UK ski jumper, on January 7, French figure skater Philippe Candeloro on January 11, and Chinese speed skater Ye Qiabo is the torchbearer on January 25, before the last stretch to Whistler, British Columbia.

www.vancouver2010.com/olympic-torch-relay/

RC