Current Press Releases

Three days after the Olympic Flame was extinguished in Vancouver, a new flame will be lit in Ottawa. The 2010 Paralympic Torch Relay begins today in Ottawa and will conclude on March 12, 2010 at the Paralympic Winter Games Opening Ceremony in Vancouver.

One torchbearer from each province and territory will participate in the lighting ceremony in Ottawa, and Katherine Elkin of Yellowknife has been selected as the torchbearer for the Northwest Territories. Katherine, a first year University of Calgary student, was selected based on her performance at various para-swim events, and for her well-rounded and balanced interests.

“Katherine will be a tremendous representative of the Northwest Territories,” said the Honourable Robert C. McLeod, Minister Responsible for Youth and Minister Responsible for Sport. “Her dedication to sports and her volunteer efforts make her a real role model to youth in the NWT, and across Canada.”

During the 2008-2009 swimming season, Katherine represented the Northwest Territories at the Canada Summer Games in Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island; the Alberta Senior Championships in Medicine Hat; and at défi sportif in Montreal. She was also a volunteer coach with the Northwest Territories Special Olympics swim team while she attended high school in Yellowknife.

Through its investment in the 2010 Winter Games, the GNWT is working to promote the Olympic ideal, and the health and social benefits of participating in sport. Improving the physical and mental well-being of our youth will create healthy, educated Northerners as envisioned in the 16th Assembly’s vision of Northerners Working Together.

For more information, contact:

Rebecca Alty
Communications/Website Advisor
Municipal and Community Affairs
Tel: (867) 920-3092