The Athens 2004 Olympic torch relay brings for the first time the Olympic flame to the streets of Cape Town on June 12 2004.
Beginning in early June, the Olympic flame will embark on a 21st-century-style tour that circles the earth. More than 3Â 600 torch bearers will play a part in carrying the flame to convey the message of peace for the Athens 2004 Olympic Games.
The Olympic flame is first lit in Greece and then the chosen torch bearers set off on the Olympic torch relay around the globe. Under the theme “Pass the flame, unite the world”, the torch bearers will travel to 33 cities in 26 countries (207 stops in total) over the course of 35 days.
These cities include Beijing (the 2008 Games host); Brussels, Belgium; Cairo, Egypt; Cape Town, South Africa; Geneva, Switzerland; Istanbul, Turkey; Kiev, Ukraine; Lausanne, Switzerland; New Delhi, India; New York; Nicosia, Cyprus; Rio de Janeiro, Brazil; and Sofia, Bulgaria.
For the South African part of the relay, 120 positions are available for prospective torch bearers. Divided among the National Olympic Committee of South Africa and the two presenting partners, Samsung South Africa — one of the presenting partners — has decided to open the selection process for its allocation of torch bearers to communities across the country.
“Citizens who demonstrate inspirational qualities associated with the ethos of the Samsung brand — inspiration, leadership and innovation across all communities — stand a chance of being chosen to carry the torch,” says Sarit Reouveni, group marketing manager for Samsung South Africa.
“We have set up a national competition to allow individuals to enter, with the chance of being chosen to carry the Olympic torch on June 12 2004 in Cape Town. It is a great honour to bear the torch for one’s country and only a few people in the world are ever given this opportunity.
“It is now the time to nominate someone who deserves the prestige and honour of bearing the Olympic torch. It should be a local or national hero who has shown inspiration, innovation and leadership to uplift the community on a local, regional or national level: it may be in sport, education, health or business.”
Nominees must be 14 years of age or older on March 25 2004 and must agree to carry the Olympic flame for up to 400m.
Minors must have signed parental consent and must be accompanied by an adult at all times during the relay. Nominees should be physically able to complete the task of carrying the flame for a distance of 400m.
The closing date for entries is March 10 2004 — no late entries will be accepted. — Sapa
There are three ways to enter this competition:
- Complete an entry form and post to Samsung/City of Cape Town Torchbearer Selection Committee, PO Box 1355, Houghton, Johannesburg, 2041;
- Fax an entry form to the Samsung dedicated fax line at (011) 549 1680; or
- Visit www.samsung.co.za and complete an online entry form.