Ms. Bendavid was chosen to carry the Pan Am flame in Richmond Hill from the entries for the Town of Richmond Hill’s Torchbearer Selfie Contest held last December. Born and raised in Richmond Hill, Ms. Bendavid played many different sports at a young age and eventually found her love for rugby. A successful athlete, she has represented Team Ontario and Team Canada in international competitions around the world.

“I'm honoured to be selected to represent my hometown of Richmond Hill as a torchbearer for the 2015 Pan Am Games,” said Ms. Bendavid. “I'm very much looking forward to sharing in the excitement as Canada’s best athletes go for gold so close to home. I can't wait to cheer them on and also celebrate this world class event.”

“Ms. Bendavid will be a great representative for our town,” said Mayor Dave Barrow. “Her enthusiasm for her hometown and the Games is infectious. I know that the entire community will be cheering her on as she carries the Pan Am flame through Richmond Hill.”

The entire Richmond Hill community is invited to celebrate the Pan Am flame when the flame visits the Richvale Athletic Park and Richmond Green Park on June 24. The flame will then leave on June 25 from the Dr. Bette Stephenson Centre for Learning.

During the 41-day torch relay, each of the 3,000 torchbearers will complete, on average, a 200-metre relay segment. More than 60 modes of transportation will carry the torch over 5,000 kilometres on the road and 15,000 kilometres by air.

“The torch is a unique symbol of the Pan Am Games and carries a powerful energy that will unite Canadians,” said Saäd Rafi, chief executive officer, TO2015. “The torchbearers will proudly carry the flame through more than 130 communities, igniting the Pan Am spirit as they go.”

The aluminum torch features United We Play! pictograms — colourful depictions of people in motion —symbolizing the assembly of athletes through the celebration of sport and culture. It stands 65 centimetres high and weighs 1.2 kilograms (or roughly the same weight as a baseball bat). With a burn time of 10 to 12 minutes, the flame can withstand winds of up to 70 kilometres per hour and is visible in all kinds of weather conditions.

More information about the torch relay route, timing and all other planned activities at each location will be posted to RichmondHill.ca/PanAmTorchRelay as it becomes available.