18 Semi-Finalists to Carry the 2008 Beijing Olympic Torch
Welcome back!
Lenovo, a worldwide leader in the PC market, announced the 18 finalists selected from 6000 applications to compete for the chance to participate in the Beijing 2008 Olympic Torch Relay for Torch Bearers. Lenovo launched the torchbearer search program with assistance from Google to find ‘new thinkers’ from around the world to run the torch in China. This is the longest Olympic Torch Relay in history with more cities visited than any past Games.
The final selection of the torchbearers is now in your hands. Visitors to www.Lenovo.com/torch can help decide who will become 1 of the 3 potential torchbearer nominees. Each of the finalists submitted a 30 second video demonstrating the most imaginative and innovative way they would participate in the Olympic Torch Relay, indicative of what makes them a ‘new thinker.’
Voting comes to a close at 10 a.m. EST on October 24, 2007. The top 3 contestants to receive votes will be announced mid-November and nominated by Lenovo to participate as torchbearers in the historic China portion of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Torch Relay.
Underscoring the global nature of the contest, the finalists are from 8 countries including Argentina, Brazil, Canada, Germany, India, Italy, Japan, and the United States. They are athletes, teachers, artists, filmmakers and even former Olympians.
“As a worldwide partner of the Olympic Torch Relay, we are very excited to bring torchbearer opportunities to the general public. This is an innovative approach to torchbearer nomination,” said Deepak Advani, Senior Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer of Lenovo. “Using Google’s search and hosting platforms, we have identified 18 people to have the chance to demonstrate their Olympic spirit with a 30-second video. When it comes to ‘new thinkers,’ Lenovo is looking for someone who finds creative solutions to bring about global change. This is a unique opportunity to make someone a part of Olympic history.”
• Motivating – One who inspires the community to achieve goals and conquer obstacles
• Provocative – One who disregards traditional boundaries in carrying out a great and difficult endeavor
• Imaginative – One who thinks ‘outside the box’ – outside of national and cultural limitations
• Individualistic – One who demonstrates independence in both their thoughts and their actions
• Explorative – One who seeks new ways of doing and achieving
To show appreciation for ‘New Thinkers’ registering in the campaign, Lenovo managed weekly promotions to award them Lenovo Olympic pins and Olympic Torch-themed notebook PCs. Lenovo, winner of multiple awards in PC design, is also the designer of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Torch.
Olympic Torch Relay Route
The official torch lighting will take place in Olympia, Greece, in March 2008. The torch will travel to 21 cities over 5 continents before spending 97 days traveling to more than 100 cities in Mainland China. A ceremony will be held for the arrival at its final destination in Beijing on August 8, 2008, marking the start of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games.
Vote for your Favorite Finalist
Now it’s time for YOU to decide who will be flying to the beautiful Shangri-La in Yunnan province, China, to run the Beijing 2008 Olympic Torch Relay on June 8th, 2008. Go to the New Thinker’s Web Site, view the videos online, and vote for your favorite finalist. Make YOUR voice count!
Registration isn’t required, but those who do will be entered for a chance to win 1 of 3 original Lenovo-designed ‘Cloud of Promise’ Beijing 2008 Olympic Torches! Be one of the few to own a unique piece of Olympic history!
My top 2 choices for Canada and the US:
Canada — David Porteous
United States — Kimi Puntillo
My 3rd pick is solely selected on merit of production and the message it portrays, with no bias to origin, country or individual.
India — Rajib Maitra
FINALISTS:
Diana Mondino – Argentina
Mateus Laurito Del Conte – Brazil
Thales Ma – Brazil
Dariusz Slowik – Canada
David Porteous – Canada
Erin Roy – Canada
David Kamanda Ngugi – Germany
Jessica Kurz – Germany
Rajib Maitra – India
Valentino Stabile – Italy
Miyuki Saito – Japan
Rodney Johnson – Japan
Deborah Williamson – United States
Lisa Ely – United States
Kimi Puntillo – United States
Linda Bilak – United States
Carissa Beatty – United States
Amy Elizabeth Coffey – United States
Make your voice count and vote:
Torch for Beijing 2008 Olympic Games
If you’re an Olympian enthusiast, you won’t want to miss this viideo!
Beijing 2008 Olympic Games Dream
View an amazing glimpse of China
About Lenovo
Lenovo is dedicated to building the world’s best engineered personal computers. Lenovo’s business model is built on innovation, operational efficiency and customer satisfaction as well as a focus on investment in emerging markets. Formed by Lenovo Group’s acquisition of the former IBM Personal Computing Division, the company develops, manufactures and markets reliable high-quality, secure and easy-to-use technology products and services worldwide. Lenovo has major research centers in Yamato, Japan; Beijing, Shanghai and Shenzhen, China, and Raleigh, North Carolina.
Copyright 2007 Life in the Fast Lane
Tags:2008 Olympics Beijing Olympic Torch Bearers Torch Relay torchbearer
I remember watching this torch run a few years back and hearing all these incredible courageous stories of human determination; it really is overwhelming and almost brought me to tears. Humans forget how powerful hope can be. This nomination process is awesome but more people need to know about it.
how exciting for the finalists Deborah…..
they are all so deserving……
David Porteous’s video gave me goosebumps…..what a wonderful ambassador for Canada and its youth…he has my vote !!!!
You drive home a very good message Matt, thank you. Trying to get the word out is what I’m attempting to do here
David Porteous’video did the same for me as well Kim
Go and vote! 
To carry the Olympic torch must be such an honor. Contestants really deserve to carry it because they put so much work into this competition, years of practice and determination. Imagine it’s not as easy as you might think.
No, I don’t believe it’s as easy as it may look, especially with the added pressures of onlookers both on location and through various media sources.
I hear and saw that tourch on TV. It tavel all across the world and china. China is a big nation and has a large population.
The Beijing Olympic torch relay, which will travel the longest route and involve the most people in the Olympic history, will display the beautiful Chinese scenery and rich culture to the world, as well as spread the ideas of peace, friendship and harmony.
good, i never heard of that before