Heather Saaltink Selected as Cornwall's Final Torchbearer

On behalf of the Cornwall Torch Relay Committee, Mayor Bob Kilger announced today 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 December 17th, 2008.

Her father, Rik Saaltink, will proudly represent his daughter and will carry the torch on her behalf on December 14th. Mr. Saaltink will run the last 300 metres and and light the cauldron at Lamoureux Park at approximately Noon on December 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. Local residents also had a chance to apply to join over 12,000 torchbearers who will be taking part in the 2010 Olympic Torch Relay. Presenting partners, Coca-Cola and RBC, invited members of the public to apply to become Olympic torchbearers and share stories about how they plan to make themselves, their community and their country a better place. These programs have now closed and all Olympic torchbearers have been selected.

About Heather Saaltink
Heather Saaltink was born in January 1986 to Rik and Brenda Saaltink of Cornwall, Ontario. She has two sisters, Robyn and Emma. At the time of her death in December 2008, Heather was studying at Lakehead University as a First Class Honours student in Philosophy, maintaining an A average. Heather’s athletic abilities were considerable as she played hockey and basketball, swam with the Cornwall Sea Lions, ran in numerous marathons, and was a member of the Lakehead Thunderwolves track and cross country teams. She was a strong and independent thinker interested in Feminist philosophy, and a wellrounded human being who balanced work with play and made the very most of her university experience at Lakehead.

Heather was also an environmentalist and lover of animals. Her adventurous spirit and love of the wilderness led her to many adventures in the great outdoors,from solo hiking, to a 1500 km bike ride.

About Rik Saaltink
Rik Saaltink , Heather's father, 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.

About Cornwall’s Celebration
Cornwall’s Olympic Torch Relay Celebrations will take place at Lamoureux Park starting at 10:45 am on December 14th. Celebrations include an Eastern Ontario Health Unit Fun Run (starting at 10 am), and an exciting line-up of performances and presentations that includes Graham Greer, multi-cultural 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.

About the Torch Relay
The Vancouver 2010 Olympic Torch Relay is a 106-day celebration that started in Victoria,British Columbia on October 30, 2009. The Olympic Flame will travel over 45,000 kilometres across Canada making it the longest domestic relay in Olympic history. Over the course of the relay, 12,000 torchbearers will have the opportunity to carry the Olympic Flame. “One of the most inspiring ways to get involved in the Olympic experience as it sweeps across Canada is to help escort that magnificent Olympic Flame,” said John Furlong, Chief Executive Officer of the Vancouver Organizing Committee for the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games (VANOC). “Everyday Canadians have the opportunity to sign up to become Olympic Torchbearers and have the experience of a lifetime.”

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