Shania Twain carries Olympic torch

The Olympic torch arrived in Timmins, Ont., on Friday evening, held aloft by country music superstar Shania Twain who carried the torch the final 400 metres into Hollinger Park, cheered on by thousands of fans who braved searing cold to see her in person.

Twain paused and waved to the crowd before bounding the final few metres onto the stage, where she lit the Olympic cauldron and passed the flame to the next torchbearer.She called the experience the "highlight" of her life.

An international superstar and multiple-Grammy winner, Twain was born in Windsor, Ont., but spent most of her youth in Timmins, honing her talents by performing in local bars and clubs.

Her 1997 record Come on Over has sold more than 34 million copies, making it the best-selling album by a female artist of all time.

The torch continues its journey through northern Ontario on Saturday, making stops in a number of communities including Sudbury and Sault Ste. Marie.