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MAYOR MICHAEL R. BLOOMBERG AND NYC & COMPANY ANNOUNCE
ROUTE AND TIMELINE FOR THE ATHENS 2004 OLYMPIC TORCH RELAY
Saturday, June 19th
Olympic Flame to Travel 34 Miles through
All Five Boroughs Highlighting New York City’s Diverse Communities,
Cultures and Iconic Sites
Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg announced the route and estimated timeline
for the ATHENS 2004 Olympic Torch Relay, which will take place in
New York City on Saturday, June 19th, starting in Athens Square
Park in Astoria, Queens. Over 120 Torchbearers will carry the Flame
for 34 miles through many of New York City’s communities,
great landmarks and iconic locations before arriving at its final
destination in Times Square for the lighting of the Olympic Cauldron
by the final Torchbearer. The Olympic Torch Relay, presented by
Coca-Cola and Samsung, will take place rain or shine.
“On behalf of 8 million New Yorkers, we are thrilled that
New York City is participating in the first-ever global Olympic
Torch Relay,” said Mayor Bloomberg. “On June 19th, when
the Olympic Torch leaves Athens Square Park and travels through
New York City’s diverse and vibrant neighborhoods, it will
be as if it were passing through whole different countries, scattered
around the globe. I encourage all New Yorkers to come out along
the route and celebrate the excitement of the Olympic Torch Relay
as it continues its worldwide journey to the 2004 Olympic Games
in Athens, Greece.”
“We are honored to welcome the Olympic Torch, a symbol of
the international community, to the ‘Greatest City on Earth’,”
said Cristyne L. Nicholas, President and CEO of NYC & Company
– the city’s official tourism marketing organization.
“Each year, millions of people make the journey to New York
to experience the diversity and excitement that make our City a
great place to visit.”
The Olympic Flame will travel through all five boroughs –
Queens, Brooklyn, Staten Island, the Bronx and Manhattan –
cheered on by New Yorkers and visitors from around the world. The
Torch Relay is a unique opportunity to highlight the very best of
New York City its diverse communities, cultures and defining landmarks.
Some of the points of interest that New York City’s Torchbearers
will pass include Athens Square Park, Fort Greene Park, the
Brooklyn Bridge, the Statue of Liberty, Richmond County Ballpark,
Chelsea Piers, Radio City Music Hall, Columbus Circle, Central Park,
Yankee Stadium, Museum Mile, Rockefeller Center, the Greek Consulate,
the United Nations and Times Square.
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TRADING DAY |
June 19th
PIN TRADING DAY IN CONJUNCTION WITH PASSING OF OLYMPIC TORCH
THROUGH NYC AND PRESENTED BY VISA
To celebrate the Olympic torch passing through New York City,
The NBC Experience Store is hosting the "Kick Off To
Athens Pin Trading Day" this Saturday, June 19th from
8:00am ET - 4:00pm ET. Pin collectors and Olympic historians
from across the country will gather for this day-long event
which is free and open to the public. Many Olympic athletes
will be on hand to trade pins and meet their fans, in addition
to a display of Olympic memorabilia. Free pins will be available
for kids and people looking to start their own pin collection
(while supplies last).
Internationally-known Olympic Memorabilia collector and Event
Co-Organizer Craig Perlow says, "This is a great way
to celebrate the spirit of the Olympic games. There is a camaraderie
associated with events surrounding the Olympics and the Pin
Trading Day promises to be a one of those special events."
Perlow will have several of his Olympic torches and participant
medals on display. He is a Lifetime Member of the ISOH (International
Society of Olympic Historians) and is designated by the IOC
(International Olympic Committee) on its website as one of
just nine "Experts" in the field of Olympic Memorabilia.
Past Olympic Athletes will be on hand to sign autographs,
take photos and trade pins. Olympic athlete appearances have
been made possible by NYC2012, the committee leading New York's
bid to host the Olympic Games in 2012. Athletes include Shannon
Miller (Gymnastics), Diane Dixon (Track & Field), Jonathan
Brown (Rowing), Nancy Kerrigan (Figure Skating), Jon Fish
(Rowing), and Kyoko Ina (Figure Skating), plus others still
to be confirmed.
NYC2012 will also celebrate their new logo through a series
of 3 pins that will debut and be made available exclusively
at the NBC Experience Store beginning on Saturday, June 19th.
Exclusive Athens Olympic merchandise will also be available
for purchase.
The "Kick-Off To Athens Pin Trading Day" is presented
by Visa, Aminco, WNBC and the NBC Experience Store.
The NBC Experience Store is located at 30 Rockefeller Plaza,
across from the Today show's Window-on-the-world.
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