OTTAWA, Nov. 21 (Xinhua) -- Canada will organize the longest domestic torch relay in Olympic history before 2010, which will stretch 45,000 kilometers around the country and involve 12,000 torchbearers, the 2010 Winter Games organizing committee announced Friday.

    The 106-day relay, which will start in Victoria on Oct. 30, 2009 and finish in Vancouver on Feb. 12, 2010, will travel through1,000 communities and even include a visit to the most northern settlement in the world, only 900 kilometers from the North Pole, organizing committee spokesman John Furlong told reporters in Vancouver.

    He invited Canadians to apply online for a chance to run with the flame, adding that the goal was to include as many people as possible.

    "We invite all Canadian to participate, either through applying to be a torchbearer or by joining the celebration as the relay crosses this great country."

    "The Olympic torch relay is a tremendous opportunity to unite the country and make the Vancouver 2010 Winter Games Canada's Games, " said Gary Lunn, the federal minister of state for sport.

    "This is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to bring together millions of Canadian, in every province and territory, as we celebrate and welcome the passing of the Olympic Flame.

    "As it makes its way across Canada, it will touch the soul of this great nation and inspire the world."

    By the end of the relay, the torch will have passed within a one- hour drive of 90 per cent of Canada's population, according to VANOC.

    Jacques Rogge, president of the International Olympic Committee, said the torch "carries with it a message of peace and hope, transmitting the Olympic spirit to all who come out and celebrate its journey."

    During its Canadian journey the torch will travel 1,000 kilometers by water, 18,000 by air and 26,000 by land.