9 May 2008
Canadian Pacific and Colin James to Bring Olympic Spirit to Canadian Communities
Canadian Pacific today announced it will launch a mobile
ambassador for the Vancouver 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Games. The Canadian Pacific Spirit Train will carry Olympic pride to
communities across Canada while celebrating Canada's once-in-a-generation opportunity to welcome the world as host of the
Olympic and Paralympic Games.
Beginning in September 2008, the Spirit train will stop in communities across Canada for day-long celebrations where
families can meet Olympic and Paralympic athletes and will have an opportunity to interact with Olympic and Paralympic partners.
"CP first united Canadians almost 127 years ago when our rail line initially connected Canadians from coast to coast," said
Canadian Pacific CEO Fred Green. "The Spirit Train is a natural extension of that legacy. Our employees are excited and proud to
be involved in this initiative, demonstrating that our commitment to Canada's Olympiad has a community flavour which extends beyond
moving products and providing logistic services."
CP also announced Canadian recording artist Colin James and his Band will be the musical headliner for the 2008 Spirit Train.
"I'm excited to represent Vancouver and the west coast on this cross Canada train adventure. The band and I are really looking
forward to this chance to play - and to meet the athletes who will be representing Canada along the way. And to do it all by train will
be a truly unique experience," said six-time Juno award-winner Colin James.
"CP has once again put their ingenuity to work and developed a creative way to involve all Canadians in the Vancouver 2010
journey," said John Furlong, CEO of the Vancouver Organizing Committee for the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games (VANOC).
"The Canadian Pacific Spirit Train is a wonderfully inclusive way to celebrate sport, culture, and sustainability with Canadians
from coast to coast."
The Spirit Train includes an elaborate Olympic-themed Spirit Train Village which will include family-friendly
booths, Olympic sport simulation activities, pin trading, video message centres, unique entertainment, and engaging interactions with
other participating Olympic partners such as Rona.
The Spirit Train will unite Canadian communities under its maple leaf banner to create momentum for the Olympic spirit over the next
three years. The 2008 tour includes Metro Vancouver, Calgary, Edmonton, Saskatoon, Winnipeg, Thunder Bay, Sudbury, Toronto, Smiths
Falls, and Montreal.
Further details about the Canadian Pacific Spirit Train, including lists of local and First Nations performers and the latest Olympic
partners to join the Spirit Train experience, will be posted in time on cpspirittrain.com, a new interactive website also
launched today.
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