Mandi Doris from Ajax, Ontario will make the Canadian Colleges Athletic Association proud as well as Durham College today, as the student-athlete runs in Newcastle, Ontario today with the Olympic torch in the 2010 Olympic Torch Relay across Canada. 

Mandi is a fifth Volleyball player for the Durham Lords and was nominated by Durham College athletic director Ken Babcock to be a representative from the school to participate in the relay. 

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Durham College student-athlete taking part in the Olympic Torch Relay

OSHAWA, Ont. - The Olympic Torch Relay will inspire and engage Canadians from coast to coast as it travels along the path of northern lights towards the Vancouver 2010 Olympic Winter Games. Taking part in that journey will be Durham College student-athlete Mandi Doris (Ajax, Ont.), who will have a once in a lifetime experience participating in the torch relay.

"It is a great honour to be selected to carry the Olympic torch and I am really looking forward to it," said Doris. "It is defiantly a once in a lifetime experience and one that I will remember forever."

The big day for Doris is on Wednesday, December 16, 2009. She will be carrying the torch for approximately 300 metres along Edward St. in Newcastle, Ont. at 2:20 p.m. in front of friends, family and other proud Canadians getting a chance to look at the Olympic flame.

As a member of the Durham College women's volleyball team, Doris has faced plenty of pressure filled situations in big matches over her five year career, and knows the torch relay will be similar to playing on the court.

"I am pretty calm about the situation right now but I am sure the nerves will kick in as the day approaches," said Doris. "My family was pretty excited when we heard I would be taking part. My mom has been telling everyone she knows!"

This year's Olympic Torch Relay is the longest in history, stretching over 1,000 communities across Canada. The relay began on October 30, 2009 and will finish at the Opening Ceremony, marking the official start of the Vancouver 2010 Olympic Winter Games on February 12, 2010.

When asked to nominate a student-athlete for the Olympic torch relay and to represent Durham College, athletic director Ken Babcock had no doubt that Doris was the perfect choice.

"This is a once in a lifetime opportunity to be chosen to carry the Olympic torch," said Babcock. "She is a true leader, an outstanding person, and a role model student-athlete here at Durham College both on and off the court. I couldn't think of anyone more deserving to carry out this huge honour. I am also excited that Durham was asked to be included in the 2010 Olympic torch run."

Doris is not the only Durham Lord involved with the torch relay, as former women's fastball player Kailey Miller will also be taking part in the run. Miller will be running on December 18th, 2009 in Newmarket, Ont.

Visit http://www.vancouver2010.com/olympic-torch-relay/ for all of the details on the Olympic torch relay.

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Check out Mandi running with the Torch at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P1SUAFllGYE 

The Canadian Colleges Athletic Association is a national sport organization that enriches the lives of student-athletes through intercollegiate competition.
For more information, please contact:
Meaghan Green
CCAA Communications and Events Coordinator
Tel: 613.933.6080 ext. 2211