News release

Mississauga Announces Pan Am Community Torchbearers

Entertainment and activities | May 13, 2015

With only 32 days until the TORONTO 2015 Pan Am Games Torch Relay makes its stop in Mississauga, the City is proud to unveil two of its three torchbearers – Shivhoun De Melo and Jack Ranieri.

“Shivhoun and Jack have done more than just reside in our wonderful city,” said Mayor Crombie. “They have contributed to and have been inspirations in their community. We are honoured they will carry the flame on our behalf. I hope that everyone comes out on June 14 to cheer them on.”

De Melo and Ranieri will carry the flame on Sunday, June 14 when the TO2015 Pan Am Games Torch Relay makes its way through Mississauga. In total, 3,000 torchbearers will run in the 41-day relay. Each runner will complete a 200-metre relay segment.

A callout for nominees to carry the torch on behalf of Mississauga was held last December. Nominees had to be Mississauga residents who made a positive contribution to the lives of others and/or excelled athletically or personally. De Melo and Ranieri were randomly selected from the more than 350 nominations that were submitted.

About the Mississauga Community Torchbearers

 

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Shivhoun De Melo

A Mississauga resident of 25 years, Shivhoun De Melo is a physiotherapist practicing in Mississauga. She was nominated by the father of a young lady with cerebral palsy.  “We owe every ounce of progress my daughter has made to her sessions with Miss Demelo. She is truly a blessing,” read the nomination. Shivhoun was also described as being generous with volunteering her time and her therapeutic abilities.

 

“I am very proud to run with the flame that carries all the values and spirit of the Pan Am Games with it,” said De Melo on being selected. “Sports, physical and mental well-being are very important aspects of life for me. I’m privileged to be nominated and will hold the torch with pride.”

 

 

Jack Ranieri

 

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Jack Ranieri

A Mississauga resident for over 21 years, Jack Ranieri is the Director of IT at Sinai Health System in Toronto. The father of two children born and raised in Mississauga, Ranieri was nominated by his wife Angela for achieving his lifelong goal to qualify for the Boston Marathon before his 50th birthday. However, Ranieri was forced to withdraw his registration after sustaining an injury while training for this event.

 

“It’s very exciting,” said Ranieri. “After the disappointment of not being able to represent Mississauga in the 2013 Boston Marathon, being selected as a Pan Am torchbearer has inspired me to continue running. I’m honoured to represent Mississauga in this once in a lifetime opportunity.”

 

 

Third torchbearer

Third torchbearer to be announced soon!

At 94 years of age, the final Mississauga community torchbearer will be announced as part of the TORONTO 2015 Pan Am Games Torch Relay “Familiar Faces” program later this month.

 

Follow @citymississauga and @the_mwf on Twitter for clues leading up to the unveiling.

About the TO2015 Pan Am Games Torch Relay in Mississauga

Join in the spirit of the games as the TORONTO 2015 Pan Am Games Torch Relay makes its way through Mississauga on Sunday, June 14, 2015.

9:30 a.m. – Breakfast of Champions at Mississauga Celebration Square. Free breakfast and activities for the whole family as we await the arrival of the TO2015 Pan Am Flame!

11 a.m. – Start of Day Celebration welcoming the flame at Mississauga Celebration Square
Watch history unfold as the TO2015 Pan Am Flame arrives and the torch is lit.

11:30 a.m. – Torch Relay down Hurontario to the Mississauga Waterfront Festival in Port Credit Memorial Park

1 p.m. – Day Celebration at Port Credit Memorial Park
In partnership with the Mississauga Waterfront Festival, celebrate the arrival of the Pan Am Flame! The Cauldron will be lit and the celebration begins with performances by headliners illScarlett and Carlos Bastidos!

Visit discovermississauga.ca for more information on the TO2015 Pan Am  / Parapan Am Games in Mississauga.

For more information on the Pan Am Games Torch Relay, visit toronto2015.org.

About the Mississauga Waterfront Festival

Ranked as a top 100 Ontario Festival for 10 years, the Mississauga Waterfront Festival is a premiere weekend event.  Now celebrating its 19th year, the festival annually attracts close to 65,000 visitors from across the GTA, as well as visitors from Quebec and New York State.  Since 1997, the Mississauga Waterfront Festival’s Sponsor a Child program has enabled over 60,000 children and their families to attend the festival free of charge. For more visit themwf.com

Media Contact:

media@mississauga.ca