Bollywood's Akshay Kumar Carries the Olympic Flame in Toronto Dec. 17

TORONTO, December 17 - In the glamorous world of Bollywood, it doesn't get much bigger than
Akshay Kumar! This Indian superstar of more than 120 films has come to
"Bollywood North" to run with the Olympic Flame in Toronto
on Dec. 17.

Kumar is an international torchbearer with the Vancouver 2010 Olympic
Torch Relay, presented by Coca-Cola and RBC and supported by the Government
of Canada. He takes up the flame on Yonge St. between Gloucester St. and
Breadalbane St. at approximately 6:10 p.m.

"I am honoured and privileged to have been selected as an official
torchbearer for the Vancouver 2010 Olympic Torch Relay," says Kumar. "Running
with the Olympic Flame in Toronto gives me an exceptional opportunity to
represent India and all of my fans. The flame is a symbol of freedom, peace
and global friendship, and I would like to thank Canada for this honour and
recognition."

Kumar calls Canada his home away from home, and supports numerous
Canadian charities, including the Trillium Health Centre in Toronto.

"Akshay Kumar is a global star, a citizen of the world and a friend to
Canada. Akshay's fans will join him in person or virtually as he runs along
the world's longest street - Yonge St. His presence and exuberance will
inspire the Olympic spirit in all of us and draw the world's attention to
this magical moment in Toronto," says Michele McKenzie, president and CEO
of the Canadian Tourism Commission (CTC).

The Vancouver Organizing Committee for the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic
Winter Games (VANOC), in collaboration with the CTC, has selected
international torchbearers to participate in the 2010 Olympic Torch Relay
International Media Program to maximize international media coverage of the
relay and spread the excitement and Olympic spirit around the world.

The international torchbearers are from CTC's global markets and include
former Olympic athletes as well as entertainers and media celebrities. Their
journeys through Canada will be broadcast and shared in their home countries
during both the Vancouver 2010 Olympic Torch Relay and the 2010 Winter Games,
all to inspire the world to travel to Canada.

About the CTC:

The CTC is Canada's national tourism marketing organization. Our vision
is inspiring the world to explore Canada. With our partners in the tourism
industry and the governments of Canada, the provinces and the territories, we
advertise and market Canada in 12 countries around the world, conduct
industry research and studies, and promote product and industry development.
For daily updates on CTC initiatives, subscribe to CTC News, available
through RSS feeds and e-mail.

Links to additional resources:

Profile:

mediacentre.canada.travel/system/files/akshay_kumar_profile_en.pdf

Photos: Photos of Kumar's torch run and experiences in Toronto will be
available shortly after his run time at:

ctc.pathfireondemand.com/main.action

Satellite feed: A satellite feed of Kumar's torch run and Toronto tourism
experiences will be available at 10:30 p.m. EST on Dec. 17.

    North America:         India:                     Europe: 

    Anik F2C/3B            IS-10/16C Slot E           T11N/K18 D03
    Up: 6045 H             Europe - (greater than)    North America -
    Dwn: 3820 V             India Space                (greater than) Europe
    C-Band                 Up: 6156.5 V                Space
    MHz: 36 Analog         Dwn: 3931.5 V              Up: 14015.5 H
    Audio's: 6.8 & 6.2     C-Band                     Dwn: 12515.5 V
    Standard Definition    MHz: 9                     KU-Band
    NTSC Format            FEC: 3/4                   MHz: 9
                           Symbol Rate: 5.632         FEC: 3/4
                           Standard Definition        Symbol Rate: 5.632
                           PAL Format                 Carrier ID No. 110263
                                                      Standard Definition
                                                      PAL Format

Footage will also be available at CTC's Video Portal website at 11:00
a.m. on Dec. 18: ctc.pathfireondemand.com/main.action

For further information: Jitka Licenik, Corporate Communications Advisor,
Canadian Tourism Commission, Tel: +1-604-638-2482, Cell: +1-604-377-4574,
licenik.jitka@ctc-cct.ca, www.mediacentre.canada.travel; Kathryn
Hanley, Hill & Knowlton, Tel: +1-416-413-4754, Cell: +1-416-884-5857,
Kathryn.hanley@hillandknowlton.ca; Nina Kalos, Hill & Knowlton, Tel:
+1-416-413-4642, Cell: +1-416-727-0642, nina.kalos@hillandknowlton.ca

For further information: Jitka Licenik, Corporate Communications Advisor, Canadian Tourism Commission, Tel: +1-604-638-2482, Cell: +1-604-377-4574, licenik.jitka at ctc-cct.ca, www.mediacentre.canada.travel; Kathryn Hanley, Hill & Knowlton, Tel: +1-416-413-4754, Cell: +1-416-884-5857, Kathryn.hanley at hillandknowlton.ca; Nina Kalos, Hill & Knowlton, Tel:
+1-416-413-4642, Cell: +1-416-727-0642, nina.kalos at hillandknowlton.ca