The 2010 Winter Olympic Games started off with a bang on Friday evening, February 12. From the beginning, printing and the 2010 Olympics have been closely linked!
In January 2003, George Kallas (foto), President of Metropolitan Fine Printers and printer of the Vancouver 2010 Bid Book, hand carried copies of the three-volume set to Switzerland to begin the process to bring the 2010 Olympic Games home to his adopted city.
Last Thursday, February 11, George fulfilled a dream by carrying the Olympic torch as it traveled to Vancouver.
Here’s what George had to say about his experience:
Growing up in Greece, it is hard not to be enchanted with the Olympic Games, the Olympic Flame, and all the history that goes with them.
I was born in Pireaus, Greece, and spent the first 10 years of my life in the small village of Pakia, Laconia, where the feats of the athletes and the amazing culture of ancient Olympia were things that young children dreamed about. They were also a huge source of pride for the Greek people.
When my family moved to Canada in 1962, this Olympic spirit came with me. To this day, it continues to inspire me – from how I work with others to my own commitment to excellence.
I have been involved with the 2010 Games since the earliest bid phase, when my company, Metropolitan Fine Printers, produced the first business cards for the organizing committee — and later, the award-winning bid books.
More recently, I had the honour in October of accompanying the Governor General of Canada to Greece, where I saw the Olympic Flame ignited in the ancient Olympic stadium and begin its journey to Canada. Being a torchbearer in Vancouver not only brings my Olympic experience full circle, but also is a dream come true.
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