New York Mayor Rudolph Giuliani accepted an invitation to run the final leg of the Olympic Torch relay in New York On December 23rd. Mayor Giuliani is the only elected official to be invited to carry the Olympic Torch.

“Inspired by Mayor Giuliani’s extraordinary leadership during one of the most trying moments in the history of our country, the Salt Lake Organizing Committee decided to honor the Mayor by inviting him to join the distinguished group of Americans who have been carrying the Olympic Flame,” said Mitt Romney, the Chief Executive Officer of the Salt Lake Organizing Committee. “The Olympic Flame is a tribute to the ideals embodied in the Olympic movement. These ideals include peace, harmony and individual achievement. The flame is symbolic of the power of inspiration. We are delighted that the Mayor accepted our invitation.”

“It’s a great honor to be the final carrier of the Olympic Torch in New York City,” said Mayor Giuliani. “When the torch completes its fantastic odyssey it will have covered more than 13,500 miles, traveled through 46 states and inspired millions of Americans. This flame represents not only the greatest traditions and ideals of its ancient past, it continues to be a relevant symbol in our modern age. I wish the remaining bearers of the torch a safe journey as they make their way to the 2002 Winter Olympic Games in Salt Lake City.”

Torch Facts at a Glance

•The Salt Lake 2002 Olympic Torch Relay will travel more than 13,500 miles across the United States in 65 days, carried by 11,500 torchbearers as it travels through 46 states (the greatest number of States ever covered by an Olympic Torch Relay in the U.S.)

•On 24 January 2002 the Olympic Flame will make its first trip in Olympic Torch Relay history to Alaska.

•The Olympic Flame will travel via torchbearers, Chevrolet cars and trucks, airplane, train, ship, dog sled, skier, horse-drawn sleigh, snowmobile, ice skaters, ski jumper and other unique methods.

•The Olympic Flame travels within a support operation comprised of approximately 50 Chevrolet cars and trucks including public safety, advance operations, torchbearer shuttles, stage production trucks and support equipment. The Olympic Flame will also be transported and protected by a specially designed Chevrolet Avalanche Torch Transport (CATT).

•Each torchbearer will carry the Olympic Flame approximately 0.2 miles or approximately one lap around a track.

•The Olympic Flame will travel an average of 208 miles during a 12-hour day.

•The Salt Lake 2002 Olympic Torch Relay will usually stop for two celebrations each day. Local communities will announce details for local events and activities.

•The custom of a pre-Games run was revived in 1936, adding the symbolism of a torch lit in Olympia, Greece by the rays of the sun. Once the Olympic Flame is ignited it is kept in a lantern that travels with the Relay. A torch is lit from the flame every morning to start that day’s leg of the Relay. The Olympic Flame is passed from torch to torch. The lantern is closely guarded to ensure that the flame is never extinguished.