Today, July 28, Salt Lake City Mayor Rocky Anderson and the members of the Salt Lake City -to- Torino team presented Torino Mayor Sergio Chiamparino with Mayor Anderson's message of hope for a more peaceful, environmentally sustainable, and just world. Today's ceremony marks the end of a 6,000 mile journey to deliver the message.

“Transporting this message 6,000 miles without the use of fossil fuels has been a tremendous challenge in terms of logistics and effort by the members of the teams,” said Mayor Anderson. “In the spirit of the modern Olympic movement we are calling upon all people and all nations to work together peacefully and effectively to meet the greatest challenges facing our world today, including climate change, provision of essential health services in developing nations, and the elimination of major human rights abuses, such as the genocide recently occurring in the Darfur region of Sudan.”

Salt Lake City Mayor Rocky Anderson gathers with Torino Olympic volunteers at Stupinigi Castle, an ancient royal hunting castle just outside Torino.

The mayors and the message

Yesterday, as they rode into Torino the team was heartened to receive messages from Utah Congressman Rob Bishop and Congressman Jim Matheson:

"The good wishes of Utahns throughout my Congressional District are with you as you travel to Turin , Italy .  Your journey reminds us of how nations joined in peaceful competition for the Salt Lake City Winter Olympic Games in 2002.  Utah was a proud and happy world host.  Many of us carry fond memories of that exciting event.  I hope those memories speed you along a successful journey.  Please convey my best wishes to the Mayor of Turin for a great Winter Olympic Games in 2006.”  Jim Matheson, Member of Congress.