Tech & Biz

Passing the torch to Bombardier

by julianw | June 18, 2008 at 11:25 am

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The Canadian aerospace corporation Bombardier has been given a contract to make the torches for the 2010 Vancouver Olympics. What happened to the days when Olympic torches were lovingly hand-crafted by family businesses and artisans?

They make planes, trains and now - torches.

Vancouver Olympic organizers have partnered with aerospace giant Bombardier to design and build the torches and cauldrons for the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

The deal will see the Quebec-based company supply the 12,000 torches for the relay and the two Olympic flame cauldrons to be lit in Vancouver and Whistler.

In exchange, the company is now considered an official supporter of the Olympics, which requires a $15-million to $50-million contribution to the Games, as well as the first signature supporter of the torch relay, which is a minimum $3-million donation made in-kind.

A public bidding process was not used to seek a company to build and design the torch; Olympic organizers approached Bombardier after considering the elements required for the process.

A team from Bombardier Aerospace as well as one from Bombardier Transportation has been at work for the past six months to develop the torches and the cauldrons. Mr. Beaudoin said the torches will be made from materials sourced in Canada and built at Canadian Bombardier facilities.