ST. AUGUSTINE, FL
FOR RELEASE: November 2, 2001Jack Wilson Chevrolet In St. Augustine, FL Hosts Olympic Torchbearers In Training Event For Local Torchbearers
ST. AUGUSTINE, FL- How much does the torch weigh? What do I need to wear? Who else will be carrying the Flame from my area? With less than five weeks until the start of the Salt Lake 2002 Olympic Torch Relay, these are just some of the questions that torchbearers are asking as they prepare for the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to help carry the Olympic Flame on its 65-day, cross-country journey.
In order to answer these questions and help build excitement among local torchbearers, Jack Wilson Chevrolet will host a special "Olympic Torchbearers in Training" event to bring torchbearers from St. Augustine and its surrounding areas together to celebrate their participation in the largest and most far-reaching Torch Relay in the history of the Winter Olympics. The event will be held at Jack Wilson Chevrolet, located at 2255 U.S. 1 South, St. Augustine, on Saturday, November 3rd from 1:00 p.m. - 3:30 p.m.
This event will provide torchbearers with their first opportunity to gather together before the start of the Salt Lake 2002 Olympic Torch Relay. All torchbearers in attendance will have an opportunity to meet other torchbearers from their local community and surrounding areas, hear aspiring U.S. Olympic athlete, Andy Erickson speak, learn everything they want to know about the Olympic Torch Relay, receive helpful tips on how to prepare for the carrying the Olympic Flame and familiarize themselves with the torchbearer experience.
Additionally, the event will introduce the torchbearers to civic leaders and the local Chevrolet dealership that will serve as a community rallying point when the Relay comes through their hometown. More than 45 Olympic Torchbearers are expected to attend. Chevrolet will host a total of 20 Olympic Torchbearers in Training events in select markets across the country.
"Jack Wilson Chevrolet is honored to be a part of the Salt Lake 2002 Olympic Torch Relay and to help share the excitement of the Olympics with the people of Houston," said Brian Wilson, owner, Jack Wilson Chevrolet. "The Torch Relay offers the people of St. Augustine and its surrounding areas a unique opportunity to gather together to celebrate the Olympic Spirit. We are thrilled to have the opportunity to bring local torchbearers together to help them prepare for their turn to carry the Olympic Flame on its journey to Salt Lake City."
The Olympic Flame will begin its journey on Dec. 4 in Atlanta, which was the last place it rested on U.S. soil, and cross the country for the Opening Ceremony in Salt Lake City, making stops in 125 major cities and hundreds of small towns along the way. Each of the approximately 11,500 torchbearers will carry the flame approximately 0.2 miles, or about two city blocks.
In addition to torchbearers, the Olympic Flame will travel via Chevrolet cars and trucks, airplane, train, ship, dog sled, skier, horse-drawn sleigh, snowmobile, ice skaters and other unique modes of transportation, including a customized Chevrolet Avalanche outfitted with a special Olympic Cauldron.
The Salt Lake 2002 Olympic Torch Relay will make its way to millions of Americans through the support of the Olympic Torch Relay caravan, including a Chevrolet Z06 Corvette pace car, a TrailBlazer pilot vehicle, an Impala utility vehicle, the Avalanche command vehicle and a Suburban broom vehicle. The overall Salt Lake 2002 Olympic Torch Relay convoy includes nearly 50 Chevrolet cars and trucks, which will be used for advance operations, torchbearer shuttles, stage production trucks and support equipment. Chevrolet's fleet of cars and trucks will help to ensure the safe arrival of the Olympic Flame from city to city, and eventually into the Olympic Stadium in Salt Lake City.
Chevrolet Motor Division has a long history of supporting the spirit of the Olympic Games through partnerships with many sport national governing bodies, including the U.S. Ski and Snowboard Association, U.S. Figure Skating Association, U.S. Ski and Snowboarding Association, USA Hockey and USA Triathlon.
Chevrolet is the largest division of General Motors, which is the official domestic automotive sponsor of the U.S. Olympic Team through 2004. Headquartered in Detroit, Chevrolet fulfills the transportation needs of more than 36 million Americans daily - more than any other manufacturer - and offers the broadest lineup of cars, trucks and vans in the industry. For more information go to www.chevy.com.
Note: It is not mandatory for torchbearers to attend an Olympic Torchbearers in Training event in order to participate in the Salt Lake 2002 Olympic Torch Relay. Their status as an Olympic Torchbearer will not be affected in any way if they are not able to participate.