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Estonian Olympic torchbearers will set out for Great Britain tomorrow
16.07.2012
Tomorrow, three Estonian torchbearers will set out for Great Britain. Evelin Ilves, Renna Järvalt and Jaanus Kala will carry the Olympic Flame for Estonia on 18 July.
The Olympic Torch Relay began on 18 May 2012 in Plymouth and the torch journeys across the country 70 days. The Estonians will carry the torch in the town of Dover in the county of Kent, and each one of them can bear the torch at least 300 metres.
Renna Järvalt and Jaanus Kala were selected by a jury from 20 candidates that had reached the final round on 27 September last year. Renna and Jaanus were chosen thanks to their contribution to the promotion of grassroots sport in Estonia. The third London Olympic Games torchbearer became clear at the end of May this year when Samsung, the London Olympic Games Olympic Flame Relay partner, in cooperation with the Estonia Olympic Committee made a proposal to Evelin Ilves, the patron of SOS Children's Village and promoter of healthy lifestyles, to be the third torchbearer.
Evelin Ilves has made it her priority to increase the awareness among Estonian children and adults about the importance of sport and a healthy lifestyle. In addition to inspiring people to take up sports, she promotes a healthy diet and preparing wholesome food at school and home, including baking black bread. Evelin Ilves is also the patron of many socially important initiatives and organisations that are devoted to helping children, young people and disabled people. Twice a year, Evelin Ilves acknowledges good sportsmen and women, awarding them with the young sportsman's prize of the First Lady's Foundation of the President of the Republic's Cultural Foundation.
"Physical exercise, fresh air and healthy food are the basis of a joyful and healthy life. If we take more active responsibility for our health, we will live a longer and happier life. Children's health defines the quality of the rest of their life; they are our future," said Evelin Ilves.
Renna Järvalt is a young woman who has devoted her work and free time to sport and the promotion of sport. Her favourite sport is long-distance running and sports that combine different athletic disciplines and she has earned remarkable results in triathlon and long-distance running. For more than ten years she has help organise various sporting events, including such massive events in Estonia as Tallinn Marathon, Maijooks, Kõrvemaa Neliküritus and others. Her work inspires thousands of people and teams to continue participating in sport. "I believe that torch-carrying will make me feel elated. This is a great honour for me and certainly inspires me to continue my work even more so," commented Renna Järvalt. She will be the first of the Estonians to carry the flame.
Jaanus Kala has been organising the pentathlon competition that carries his name on 14 occasions, mainly alone and without any pay. The principle of sport is to give everybody an opportunity to take part in it, regardless of age and gender. The pentathlon competition includes five events: 100-metre dash, long jump, javelin throw, shot put and 1,500-metre run. During these 14 years, thousands of people with not especially strong ties to sport have participated in the pentathlon competition organised by Jaanus. Participating in this competition has sparked interest in the sport in many. The pentathlon competition organised by Jaanus has become one of the most important sporting events in the region. "I have never organised competitions for the need of acknowledgement or praise, but now I can say that it feels good to know that other people appreciate what you do," admitted Jaanus Kala.
Samsung and the Olympic Games
Samsung Electronics, the Worldwide Olympic Partner of the London Olympic Games and Olympic Torch Relay, has been supporting the Olympic movement for more than 20 years. Before the start of each Olympic Games, Samsung selects Olympic Games Ambassadors across the world that support and introduce the idea of the Olympic movement. The London Olympic Games Ambassador from Estonia is decathlete Mikk Pahapill.
The Olympic Torch Relay of the London Olympic Games began in Great Britain on 18 May and will be concluded at the Olympic Games Opening Ceremony on 27 July. The Olympic Flame is being carried by 8,000 torchbearers in 70 days. The Olympic Flame travels altogether 8,000 miles. For more information, please visit www.samsung.com/ee/london2012
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