On behalf of the Cornwall Torch Relay Committee, Mayor Bob Kilger recently announced that Heather Saaltink has been chosen as Cornwall’s Community Torchbearer.
Heather Saaltink was a young Cornwall resident who excelled at a variety of sports, including running, swimming and hockey. She was a strong and independent thinker and was attending Lakehead University when her life came to tragic end on Dec. 17, 2008.
Her father, Rik Saaltink, will proudly represent his daughter and will carry the torch on her behalf on Dec. 14. Mr. Saaltink will run the last 300 metres and and light the cauldron at Lamoureux Park at approximately noon on Dec. 14.
“Heather’s passion for life lives on in the memories of her family and friends,” said Mayor Bob Kilger. “In addition to her excellence in sports and academics, she was an avid environmentalist and loved the outdoors. Her spirit is an excellent match to honour the ideals of the torch relay and the Olympics.”
Cornwall was selected as one of nearly 200 communities across Canada to host 2010 Olympic Torch Relay community celebrations. Part of those celebrations includes the lighting of the official cauldron on the celebration stage. The Vancouver Organizing Committee for the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games (VANOC) asked Cornwall’s Torch
Relay Committee to submit names of local individuals who embody the spirit of the flame and exemplify the values of the community. VANOC then made the selection of the final torchbearer.
Rik Saaltink is equally deserving of this honour and will carry the torch in his daughter’s memory. Rik is an active volunteer in many sectors of the community, including amateur athletics and environmental organizations. He was an instrumental force in raising $1.2 million to aid in the construction of the Cornwall Aquatic Centre. Rik is an avid runner, swimmer, and cyclist, who competes regularly on his own, and together with his family.
Cornwall’s Olympic Torch Relay Celebrations will take place at Lamoureux Park starting at 10:45 a.m. on Dec. 14. Celebrations include an Eastern Ontario Health Unit Fun Run (starting at 10 a.m.), and an exciting line-up of performances and presentations that includes Graham Greer, multicultural dancers, videos, special guests and the lighting of the celebration cauldron.
Banners have been hung from street lamps in downtown Cornwall to generate excitement for the celebration.
Heather Saaltink selected as Cornwall’s final torchbearer
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