RBC awards 16 schools across the country with Vancouver 2010 Olympic Team Torchbearer Spots

TORONTO - RBC and the Canadian Olympic School Program, today announced the 16 winning schools through the RBC 2010 Olympic Torch Relay School Team Torchbearer Spot Contest, where students have the opportunity to carry the Olympic Flame as team torchbearers in the Vancouver 2010 Olympic Torch Relay.

"We are inspired by the pledges made by teachers and students across the country, demonstrating how together we can make a difference, community by community," said Jacqueline Ryan, Director Olympic Marketing RBC. "To be part of the 2010 Olympic Torch Relay is a unique and thrilling opportunity. RBC is proud to offer Canadians a chance to participate in the Olympic celebrations and share in the Olympic Spirit community by community."

As part of the Canadian Olympic School Program, which brings the Olympic Spirit to classrooms across Canada, RBC provided teachers, coaches and school leaders the opportunity to help create a better Canada by working with their students to submit a team pledge chronicling how they will improve their community, be more environmentally-friendly, or live healthier lifestyles. RBC and the Canadian Olympic Committee reviewed the pledges received from across the country and have awarded 16 teams of 20 students and teachers the role of 2010 Olympic Team Torchbearers. Each team will collectively carry the Olympic Flame for one kilometre during the Olympic Torch Relay.

The 16 winning schools announced today are:

Name of Winning School City Date of Participation

Roncalli Central High School Avondale, NFLD Nov. 14, 2009
Harrison Trimble High School Dieppe, NB Nov. 23, 2009
Polyvalente de Thetford Mines Thetford Mines, QC Dec. 4, 2009
Heritage Regional High School Saint-Hubert, QC Dec. 10, 2009
Pavillon secondaire Jeanne-Lajoie Pembroke, ON Dec. 15, 2009
Trinity College School Cobourg, ON Dec. 16, 2009
Bloordale Middle School Toronto, ON Dec. 17, 2009
Tomken Road Middle School Mississauga, ON Dec. 19, 2009
St. Vincent Catholic School Chatham, ON Dec. 22, 2009
Stratford Central Secondary
School Stratford, ON Dec. 27, 2009
Central Algoma Secondary School Desbarats, ON Jan. 2, 2010
Stobart Community High School Duck Lake, SK Jan. 12, 2010
Our Lady Of The Assumption Calgary, AB Jan. 17, 2010
Okanagan Mission Secondary School Kelowna, BC Jan. 25, 2010
John Baptiste Sewepagaham School Fox Lake, AB Jan. 31, 2010
Dr. Charles Best Secondary School Coquitlam, BC Feb. 11, 2010

"We are proud that we can bring the Olympic values into classrooms and help students understand and integrate them into their daily lives and make Canada a better place to live," said David Bedford, Canadian Olympic Committee Executive Director, Marketing and Communications. "Through our partnership with RBC, we are thrilled that some of the teachers and students who participate in the school program will have this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to carry the Olympic Flame."

Over 300 team pledges were submitted through the RBC 2010 Olympic Torch Relay School Team Torchbearer Spot Contest from schools across Canada. Visit www.olympicschool.ca/torchrelay to download the free bilingual 2010 Olympic Torch Relay School Kit which is linked to learning outcomes in social studies, language arts, math, science and physical activity.

The Team Torchbearer program was created for the Vancouver 2010 Olympic Torch Relay to provide individuals or groups with the opportunity to carry the Olympic Flame and be recognized for making a difference in their community through teamwork and cooperation.

Canadians are encouraged to come out and cheer on the torchbearers as they make their way across Canada in the Vancouver 2010 Olympic Torch Relay. Approximately 12,000 Canadians will carry the flame across the country with millions more cheering and supporting them. The 2010 Olympic Torch Relay will begin its journey to Vancouver on October 30, 2009, when the flame arrives in Victoria following a traditional lighting ceremony in Greece. The Olympic Flame will then travel from coast to coast to coast through every province and territory in Canada - spanning 45,000 kilometers and over 1,000 communities over the course of 106 days. It will end at B.C. Place on February 12, 2010, with the lighting of the Olympic Cauldron, signaling the start of the Vancouver 2010 Olympic Winter Games.