Toronto’s Olympic Bid Committee is hosting a Show Your Colours Gala Fundraiser at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre March 5, to kick off the International Olympic Committe (IOC) Site Evaluation Commission visit and to raise additional funds for Toronto’s 2008 Olympic Bid.
The fundraiser will promote the Flag Challenge, TO-2008’s fundraising program to support Toronto’s effort to host the 2008 Olympic and Paralympic Games, and Cultural Festival. The Gala will have a spectacular “opening ceremonies” production, a special musical performance, celebrities, Canadian Olympic athletes and a “one of a kind” athlete and sport focused auction.
Guests at the Gala will include David Collenette, Minister of Transport and Minister responsible for the Greater Toronto Area, several federal Cabinet Ministers, Ontario Lieutenant Governor Hilary Weston, Ontario Premier Mike Harris, Toronto Mayor Mel Lastman, some of Canada’s top Olympic athletes and members of Toronto’s arts and culture community.
The goal of the Flag Challenge, which was launched February 1, is to have the flags flying high when the IOC Site Evaluation Commission visits the city.
To raise funds for the city’s bid, Toronto businesses, organizations and individuals have been invited to sponsor a flag of each of the 197 countries that will participate in the 2008 Games. For every $10,000 in donations, a country’s flag will be raised and a plaque of recognition will be placed in Nathan Phillips Square recognizing the sponsors.
John Bitove, TO-2008 President and Chief Executive Officer said “with less than five months to go before the selection of the host city for the 2008 Olympic Games, we are shifting our bid into high gear. This is an exciting time for the bid, for Toronto and for Canada. We invite all of our supporters to share in this memorable evening”.
