The Torch is set to pass through more than 130 municipalities throughout Canada over 41 days, beginning in May next year and ending with the Opening Ceremony in downtown Toronto on July 10.

The Torch Relay will begin with the traditional Aztec lighting ceremony at the Pyramid of the Sun in Teotihuacan, Mexico in May 2015 before arriving in Toronto on May 30 to begin its journey throughout Canada.

It will stop in five cities - Vancouver, Calgary, Winnipeg, Montreal and Halifax - before visiting more than 100 communities in the State of Ontario with major celebrations planned for Thunder Bay, Sarnia, Peterborough, Sudbury, Owen Sound, Niagara Falls and Canadian capital Ottawa.

Colonel Chris Hadfield, who became the first Canadian to walk in space in 2001, was named as the first honorary Torchbearer for Toronto 2015 today alongside Sydney 2000 Olympic triathlon gold medal winner Simon Whitfield and double Olympic speed skating champion Catriona Le May Doan.

"It's an amazing feeling to be a Torchbearer and feel the spirit of the flame in your hands and the excitement it brings to people as they cheer you along the route," said Whitfield.

"It's going to be an amazing and unforgettable journey for the 3,000 people who will be chosen for this awesome experience for the Toronto 2015 Pan American Games."

The Pan American Games Torch Relay will start with a traditional Aztec lighting ceremony at the Pyramid of the Sun in Teotihuacan, Mexico ©Toronto 2015



The application process to become a Torchbearer has now been opened and runs until December 1.

Torchbearers must be a Canadian citizen or legal resident of Canada and aged 13 years old or over as of May 30, 2015.

Names will be chosen via a random draw after the closing date in December, while some will also be chosen by Torch Relay route communities and other Games stakeholders.

"The Toronto 2015 Pan American Torch Relay is an invitation to the nation to join the journey, share the spirit and show community pride as we prepare to welcome the best to the biggest international multi-sport Games Canada has ever held," said Toronto 2015 chief executive, Saäd Rafi.

The exact route the Torch will take, as well as the names of other communities it will pass through, will be released in February 2015.

For more information click here.

"This highly anticipated event will be an opportunity to showcase our diverse culture, our accomplishments, our vast geography and our proud history," said Canadian Minister for Sport Bal Gosal.

"Our Government is proud to support the Toronto 2015 Pan American Games Torch Relay and we encourage all Canadians to take part in the celebration."

To apply to be a Toronto 2015 Pan American Games Torchbearer click here.

In addition, a separate Toronto 2015 Parapan American Games Torch Relay will take place prior to the start of the Games on August 7, 2015.

Details on the route and Torchbearer application process will be released in April 2015.

The Toronto 2015 Pan American Games are due to take place from July 10 to 26, while the Parapan American Games are scheduled for August 7 to 15.

Contact the writer of this story at [email protected]


Related Stories
September 2014: Toronto 2015 Pan American Games ticketing window now open
August 2014: Toronto 2015 reveals ticket prices with Opening Ceremony most expensive
August 2014: Toronto 2015 announce Ticketmaster as official provider despite London 2012 and Glasgow 2014 fiascos
August 2014: Video unveiled to mark one year to go until Toronto 2015 Parapan American Games
June 2014: Two-day Festival to mark one-year countdown to Toronto 2015 next month