"Catch the Olympic Spirit"

Travel Press Daily

Toronto, Canada - August 25, 2004

Canadian Olympians may have been struggling after the first week of the Athens Olympics, but that doesn't mean that Toronto is lacking in Olympic Spirit.

The city's downtown core saw Olympics-themed attraction Olympic Spirit Toronto open Aug. 21, with visitors able to see Olympic memorabilia - including actual medals - and gauge their own athletic skills.

"I'm sure if you're three years old or 80 years old you're going to be able to enjoy it because there's something for everyone here," said Olympic Spirit Toronto chief leisure officer Brian Stemmle, a former national ski team member who has competed in the Winter Olympics.

Visitors will first see a massive replica of an Olympic torch, and Olympic Spirit Toronto features the likes of a bobsleigh simulator that provides a "visual ride," a sprint challenge interactive simulator that has four guests line up to race the first 10 metres of the 100-metre sprint, with their times extrapolated to represent their 100-metre time, an interactive biathlon display, and a long jump challenge interactive simulator that enables people to re-enact the Olympic record jump.

Athletes who have competed in the Olympics are on staff, including rower Marnie McBean, who donated some of her Olympic medals to an Olympic Spirit Toronto display.

For further information, call (416) 408-2179 or visit www.OlympicSpirit.ca

> BACK