Singer Twain carries Olympic torch

TIMMINS, Ontario, Jan. 2 (UPI) -- Country music singer Shania Twain said Saturday it was a pleasure to carry the official Olympic torch into her Canadian hometown of Timmins, Ontario.

The Canwest News Service reported Twain was the final individual to carry the torch on Day 64 of the Olympic symbol's 106-day journey across Canada that began Oct. 30 in Victoria, British Columbia.

"I think this is so fantastic," Twain said of those who braved numbing cold to watch the torch come to Timmins. "What it shows is the spirit of the people from the north to be standing out there on the road for all these hours in the freezing cold; all of you, it really does show your spirit."

Twain said wind chills down to minus 31 degrees Fahrenheit Saturday only made her feel more at home.

"It just feels really beautiful to be back up north in the cold," she said. "It wouldn't be Timmins ... you know, 40 below with the wind chill!"

Canwest said the Olympic torch is expected to arrive in Vancouver, British Columbia, by Feb. 12 for the 2010 Olympic Games.