Vancouver, Feb 12 (DPA) After nearly 45,000 kilometres and some 12,000 bearers, the 2010 Olympic torch has finally arrived in Vancouver.
The flame – which was lit Oct 22, 2009 in Olympia, Greece, and entered Canada eight days later – was welcomed in the Olympic host city at a ceremony at the city hall.
A large community party was planned for downtown Vancouver Thursday night, when Canadian singer Michael Buble was to join the torchbearers before the flame lights a mini cauldron at the stage.
Early Friday, day 106 of the tour through Canada, California governor Arnold Schwarzenegger was to join the torch relay along with London 2012 organising committee chairman Sebastian Coe and Sochi 2014 organising committee president Dmitry Chernyshenko, among others.
The final torchbearer, who will light the cauldron at the opening ceremony at BC Place Stadium Friday evening, remains top secret.
rounak