Lannie Houle named Vancouver 2010 community torchbearer for Vernon, BC Olympic Flame to arrive in Vernon on January 26, 2010

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Vernon, BC – DATE: FOR RELEASE - October 17, 2009

When the Olympic Flame arrives in Vernon in just 14 weeks time, it will be proudly carried by Lannie Houle, nominated as Vernon’s community torchbearer to light the celebration cauldron for the Vancouver 2010 Olympic Torch Relay.

Lannie, age 13, is a student at Alexis Park School and was chosen from many worthy applicants because she represents the ideals of commitment, dedication and value of sport in shaping lives. Lannie has been involved with hockey since she was five and comes from a hockey family, including one uncle who had a chance to play in the NHL. She was the first aboriginal to play on the Team BC Select and thinks of Hailey Wickenheiser as a role model for her dreams to one day play on Team Canada. The announcement was made at Davison Orchards as part of a community visit by Olympian Mike Nell, who competed in ski jumping at the 2006 Olympic Games. Lannie and Mike had the opportunity to swap stories, visit the ‘Pumpkin People’ athletes and also sign a banner to be sent to the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic participants, giving Vernon’s best wishes. “We’re pleased to announce Lannie Houle as Vernon’s torchbearer for the Vancouver 2010 Olympic Winter Games,” said Mayor Wayne Lippert. “This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for Lannie, who is one of 12,000 Canadians chosen to carry the Olympic Flame on the longest domestic torch relay in Olympic history! On January 26, 2010, we want everyone in our community to join together with other Canadians and show the world how inspired we feel by the Olympic Flame and its message of peace, brotherhood and friendship.”

To celebrate the arrival of the flame on January 26, 2010, Vernon is hosting a Community Celebration. Further details on the event will be forthcoming in the next few months. Midway through the two-hour celebration program, Lannie will carry the Olympic Torch on its final 300 metres to the stage where she will light the 1.3-metre high celebration cauldron, in a move similar to the dramatic highlight of what will occur during the Opening Ceremony for the Vancouver 2010 Olympic Winter Games.