Mayor Shirley Franklin and Presenting Partners, the Coca-Cola Company and Samsung, Select Local Torchbearers Representing the Best in Humanity
ATLANTA, 5 May 2004 – Olympic Torchbearers selected to carry the Olympic flame in Atlanta as part of the ATHENS 2004 Olympic Torch Relay were announced today in a joint ceremony conducted by the city of Atlanta and presenting partners The Coca-Cola Company and Samsung.
The Olympic Torchbearers, representing the best in humanity, will have a place in history as part of the first-ever global Olympic torch relay. Olympic Torchbearers in Atlanta were chosen from numerous nominations and will carry the flame through the streets on June 18
"We are thrilled that Atlanta has been selected to participate in this worldwide Olympic torch relay and that the people of our community will have the opportunity to carry the Olympic flame as part of this historic event," said Mayor Shirley Franklin. "We are extremely proud of this diverse group that represents the best in humanity."
The Olympic flame was lit in ancient Olympia, Greece on 25 March 2004 signalling the countdown to the ATHENS 2004 Olympic Games. It journeyed for 7 days to Athens, where it will remain in residence at the Panathinaiko stadium, the site of the first modern Olympic Games in 1896. Beginning 4 June, the flame will begin its global journey in Sydney, Australia visiting 34 cities worldwide, (including ancient Olympia) en route to Greece, where it will travel to local communities before lighting the cauldron at the Opening Ceremony of the ATHENS 2004 Olympic Games on 13 August. The flame will travel an average of 48 kilometres (30 miles) in each city. For the first time, the torch relay will travel across all five land masses represented by the Olympic rings.
"The torchbearers reflect what is best in all of us, the Olympic values of participation and shared humanity that will be celebrated this summer in Athens and around the world," said ATHENS 2004 President, Gianna Angelopoulos-Daskalaki. "We will be proud to have them carry the flame lit in ancient Olympia, and, as the torch passes from hand to hand in 27 nations, they will bring to life the ATHENS 2004 Olympic Torch Relay theme, "Pass the Flame, Unite the World.'"
Along with the torchbearers announced in Atlanta today, more than 10,000 Olympic Torchbearers were announced worldwide. Olympic Torchbearers around the world were nominated by family, friends and colleagues, and selected by local cities, Coca-Cola and Samsung for showcasing the best in humanity for each city.
Olympic Torchbearers will be given an Olympic torchbearer uniform as well as the option to purchase the Olympic Torch they carry.
"Carrying the Olympic Flame is a once-in-a-lifetime experience for the Coca-Cola torchbearers who will be participating in the first global Olympic Torch Relay," said David Brooks, director of the Olympic Torch Relay for The Coca-Cola Company. "As a presenting sponsor of the Torch Relay, we have the unique opportunity to share the Olympic spirit through this special collection of people, who are messengers of the Olympic values of unity and inspiration."
Samsung sends all the torchbearers congratulations and best wishes as they prepare for the honour of carrying the Olympic Torch, sharing a part of this great event with the peoples of the World," said Mr. Dong-Jin Oh, President and CEO of Samsung Electronics America. "Each of the torchbearers will be carrying not only the Olympic Flame but also the spirit and humanity of the Olympic ideal and Samsung is proud to be part of this historic event as a presenting partner."
For more information about Olympic Torchbearers from Atlanta, please call the media contacts on this news release. The routes in each city will be announced within several weeks. Names of certain torchbearers may be withheld at their request.
Visit the ATHENS 2004 Olympic web site for more information at www.athens2004.com.
To view THE SOUTHEAST REGION TORCHBEARERS FOR THE ATHENS 2004 OLYMPIC TORCH RELAY click here.
To view the Olympic Torch Relay Fact Sheet click here.
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