Olympic Spirit Toronto in Photo Finish with Polar Bears

Toronto, Canada - March 31, 2005

Toronto’s newest attraction, Olympic Spirit Toronto, has been honoured by receiving the 2005 Tourism Federation of Ontario’s (TFO) Innovation Award, in a photo finish with Cochrane’s Polar Bear Habitat and Heritage Village.

The industry award was presented by Ontario Tourism Minister Jim Bradley at the annual TFO forum held 30-31 March 2005 at Deerhurst Resort near Huntsville, Ontario.

“We are absolutely thrilled to receive this award,” says Peter Doyle, General Manager of Olympic Spirit Toronto. “We have worked hard to develop a unique experience that allows visitors to tap into the excitement of the Olympics on a year-round basis. Our guests tell us our experience is exceptional but it’s always great to be recognized by your peers.”

Innovation is at the core of Olympic Spirit’s foundation, using unique state-of-the-art simulators, high-energy multimedia presentations and authentic Olympic artifacts and memorabilia to inspire, educate and entertain. Athlete involvement in the development of the interactive events ensures that a guest’s experience is as true to the athlete experience as possible. Three-times Olympic champion rower, Marnie McBean, Director of Corporate and Athlete Programs at Olympic Spirit Toronto, says, "I never expected to be in a photo finish with a Polar bear, but I will take it! We had a vision of what we wanted Olympic Spirit to be and I am proud that we have achieved it."

The Tourism Innovation Award praises new activities and was created to recognize a person, or business, that offers an innovative and dynamic product or service that will promote and enhance tourism in the Province of Ontario. The TFO is a 26 member group of associations and organizations that represent tourism in Ontario. Chairman of the TFO, Lou Seiler states, "Olympic Spirit was a clear choice for the Tourism Innovation Award. It has not only managed to capture the excitement and emotion of Olympic competition in a unique architectural setting, it also lets its visitors experience those thrills first hand with some very unique simulations."

With 52,000 square feet spread over five floors, Olympic Spirit Toronto hosts corporate events along with education, recreation and tour groups. Guests can also enjoy themselves at the 5th-floor Podium Restaurant & Bar, or shop for Olympic items in The Spectator Zone. Olympic Spirit Toronto is conveniently located in the heart of downtown Toronto, one block east of the Toronto Eaton Centre at Victoria Street.

Olympic Spirit Toronto is managed by Toros Entertainment Inc., under official license by the International Spirit Development Organisation (ISDO) and the International Olympic Committee (IOC).

Visit the website: www.OlympicSpirit.ca

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