Community bearers named for Pan Am Games torch stops in Waterloo Region

Gold medal winner Mandy Bujold shares the podium with silver medalist Ingrit Valencia, left, and bronze medal winners Paola Benavides, second from right, and Karla Maglioco during the award ceremony for the women's 51 kg boxing event at the Pan American Games in Guadalajara, Mexico, Saturday, Oct. 29, 2011. (THE ASSOCIATED PRESS / Arnulfo Franco)

Three local athletes have been announced as torchbearers for the Pan Am Games torch relay.

The torch will arrive in Waterloo on June 18, with Stephanie Zhang among those carrying it.

Zhang is a swimmer who won a bronze medal at the 2015 International Children’s Games.

After an event at Waterloo Town Square, the torch will make its way to Kitchener and Carl Zehr Square, with boxer and 2014 Commonwealth Games bronze medalist Mandy Bujold acting as community torchbearer.

The following day, after a stop at TheMuseum, the torch will be taken to Cambridge – where community torchbearer duties will be performed by long-distance runner George Aitkin.

Immediately before arriving in Waterloo Region, the torch will make stops in Ingersoll, Woodstock, Stratford and Tavistock.

After leaving the region, it will head to Brantford and Mississaugas of the New Credit First Nation.

A total of 3,000 people will carry the torch during its 41-day relay, according to a press release from relay organizers.