Torch bearer nominees Jasmine Deo, Jim Terrion, Tina Sidorov, and Micheal Raper

Prince George, B.C.- The search is on for the 150 people who will have the honour of carrying the Canada Winter Games Torch.

Nominations are now being accepted  in  the four categories: youth, sport, culture and community.

"The opportunity to nominate yourself or an inspiring person in your life to be a torchbearer gives individuals the chance to contribute to the legacy of the 2015 Canada Winter Games in northern BC," says Stuart Ballantyne, CEO of the 2015 Canada Winter Games. "Whether that is your coach, a community builder, an exceptional youth or yourself – this special distinction is a fitting tribute to someone who has supported you in your life’s passion."

The Roly McLenahan Canada Games Torch will be lit in Ottawa on October 15, 2014 on Parliament Hill as part of Canada Games tradition, and then will make its way west and will ceremoniously land in Victoria on October 17, 2015, and travel north, passing through previous Canada Games Host Cities, Burnaby/New Westminster and Kamloops.

On November 4, 2014–which marks 100 days until the 2015 Games—the tour to Illuminate the North will begin in Prince George at the Canada Games Plaza (formerly Civic Centre Plaza). The 2015 Games Torch Relay will then journey thousands of kilometers across northern BC leading up to the 2015 Games Opening Ceremonies on February 13.

Among the nominees is Michael Raper, a youth soccer player who  was nominated by his Prince George Youth Soccer Association Coach.  Torch bearing seems to run in the Raper family as father Steve was selected  to carry the  torch for the 2010 Olympics. "It's a pretty neat experience, it's surreal" says  Steve Raper.  "It happens pretty fast, you kind of build up to the whole event,  then  you're out there running with it, people are waving at you, it's surreal."  He says he's  told  his son to "soak it all up."

Information on the 2015 Canada Winter Games Torch Relay and how to nominate a torchbearer is available here.