In celebration of the Canadian Olympic and Paralympic Team flag bearers, Suncor Energy, through its Petro-Canada brand, and Canada’s Sport Hall of Fame, this week unveiled the new James Worrall Flag Bearer Exhibit.
The James Worrall Flag Bearer Exhibit celebrates the life of James Worrall and the honour of carrying the Canadian flag and leading the Canadian Team into the opening and closing ceremonies at the Olympic and Paralympic Games.
The exhibit includes a touch screen interactive, where visitors can learn about Canada’s Olympic and Paralympic flag bearers and a display of Olympic flag bearer artifacts including the outfit Clara Hughes wore as she carried the Canadian flag into the opening ceremonies of the 2010 Vancouver Olympic Winter Games. The award has been presented to every Canadian Olympic flag bearer since 2002.
“We are very proud of this new interactive exhibit showcasing Canada’s Olympic and Paralympic flag bearers and paying tribute to James Worrall, one of Canada’s Sports Hall of Fame’s Honoured Members,” says Mario Siciliano, president and CEO, Canada’s Sports Hall of Fame. Worrall, a track and field athlete, was the Canadian team flag bearer at the Berlin 1936 Games. Following his competitive retirement, Worrall held positions at the Canadian Olympic Committee (COC) and the International Olympic Committee (IOC). His contributions to the Olympic movement and sport over the past six decades are exceptional: three-time chef de mission, honorary member of the IOC, an Honoured Member of Canada’s Sports Hall of Fame and Officer of the Order of Canada.
“We created the James Worrall Flag Bearer Award because we wanted to recognize and honour the significance of leading the Canadian Team into the opening and closing ceremonies,” says Steven Keith, director, Loyalty and Marketing Partnerships, Suncor Energy. “In naming the award after James Worrall, we believe the award epitomizes the attributes of a great Canadian.”