Vancouver 2010 Olympic Games Coverage
April 5
The Olympic and Paralympic Spirit Flies High With Air Canada
- Official Airline of the Vancouver 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games
- Official Transportation Provider for the Canadian Olympic Teams to Beijing 2008, Vancouver 2010 and London 2012
- To Donate Over $600,000 to Canadian Paralympic Committee
“All of us at Air Canada are honoured to support the Olympic and Paralympic spirit,” said Montie Brewer, President and Chief Executive Officer. “Our sponsorship also underlines Air Canada’s continuing support of the Canadian Olympic and Paralympic Committees. We are looking forward to Vancouver’s success as the host city of the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games, and are committed to playing a key role in bringing athletes, families, friends and supporters from around the world to the Games.”
Vancouver is a major hub for Air Canada’s domestic, U.S. transborder and international networks and is the airline’s main North American gateway to and from Asia. Air Canada has developed its Vancouver hub to offer Canadians access to the world and international visitors easy access to Canada’s Olympic Games host city for 2010.
“With Air Canada onboard, together we will stage Canada’s Games in 2010,” said John Furlong, VANOC Chief Executive Officer. “Throughout their proud seventy year heritage, Air Canada has been connecting Canadians from coast to coast and travellers to and from around the world to Canada. Through this exciting partnership, they will connect Canadians and the world to the Games and carry the Vancouver 2010 message broadly around the globe. As Canada’s airline, it is only fitting that Air Canada will carry our Canadian teams – and their dreams for podium success - to the next three Games in 2008, 2010 and 2012.”
"Be it in sport or business, one rises to the top through hard work, perseverance and a dedication to excellence everyday and that's why this partnership with Air Canada is such a good fit" said Jennifer Heil, Olympic Gold Medalist (freestyle). "Whether delivering athletes in seamless, worry-free travel or welcoming visitors to this country, we'll all be heading to the games knowing we have Air Canada's commitment to excellence right there with us".
In addition, Air Canada's Olympic commitment will include support to Canadian Paralympic athletes through an annual on-line fundraising initiative at aircanada.com. Air Canada has pledged to give a total of over $600,000 over the next six years to the Canadian Paralympic Committee. The airline will be donating $1 from every on-line booking made through its website during a designated annual campaign period. In 2007, the campaign will be held during the week of April 30, 2007.
“On behalf of all Canadian Paralympic athletes, I would like to thank Air Canada for this very generous support,” said Benoit Huot, Paralympic Gold Medalist (Swimming). “When we know that there are iconic Canadian companies like Air Canada who are putting their financial support behind our team and the Paralympic Movement in Canada, it is incredibly inspirational as we prepare for Beijing, Vancouver and then for London.”
About Air Canada
Air Canada has been a proud supporter of the successful bids and organizing committees for the 1976 Montreal Olympic Summer Games, the 1988 Calgary Olympic Winter Games, the 1994 Victoria Commonwealth Games and the 1999 Winnipeg Pan Am Games. Air Canada also sponsored bids for the 2002 Quebec City Olympic Winter Games and the 2008 Toronto Olympic Summer Games.
Montreal-based Air Canada provides scheduled and charter air transportation for passengers and cargo to more than 170 destinations on five continents. Canada’s flag carrier is the 14th largest commercial airline in the world and serves 34 million customers annually with a fleet consisting of 335 aircraft. Air Canada is a founding member of Star Alliance, providing the world’s most comprehensive air transportation network.
About VANOC
VANOC is responsible for the planning, organizing, financing and staging of the XXI Olympic Winter Games and the X Paralympic Winter Games in 2010. The 2010 Olympic Winter Games will be staged in Vancouver and Whistler from February 12 to 28, 2010. Vancouver and Whistler will host the Paralympic Winter Games from March 12 to 21, 2010.
VANOC's marketing program is focused on securing mutually rewarding partnerships with shared values to generate sufficient revenue to host successful Winter Games in 2010 and to leave a financial legacy for sport. VANOC’s International Partners include Coca-Cola, Atos Origin, GE, McDonald’s, Omega and Visa. VANOC's National Partners are Bell Canada, Hbc, RBC Financial Group, GM Canada, Petro-Canada, and RONA. VANOC’s Official Supporters include the British Columbia Lottery Corporation, Canadian Pacific, Jet Set Sports, Ricoh, the Royal Canadian Mint and Teck Cominco Limited. VANOC’s Official Suppliers are Birks, Dow Canada, EPCOR, Haworth Canada, Vincor and Workopolis
Mar 23
Canadians ready for "experience of a lifetime" at Vancouver 2010 Games
“The 2010 Olympic Games in Vancouver are perceived to be the premier event ticket for Canadians,” says Gord Hendren, President of Charlton Strategic Research Inc., “scoring the highest of all major sport and entertainment events tested, including the Stanley Cup Finals and the SuperBowl in terms of overall experience.”
The study, conducted by Charlton Strategic Research Inc. among adults aged 18 and older, finds that three in four (75%) agree that "attending the 2010 Vancouver Olympic Games would be the experience of a lifetime."
“We expected encouraging results from this study - but this data is stronger than we anticipated and confirms the significant interest from Canadians to watch the best athletes in the world compete in Vancouver and Whistler in 2010,” said Caley Denton, VANOC's vice president, ticketing and consumer marketing. “We are continuing to develop our ticketing program and look forward to releasing details to the public in 2008.”
Interest in attending the 2010 Winter Games in Vancouver is strong across the country with 37% of Canadians aged 18+ saying that they are "very interested" in attending the Games (another 29% are "somewhat interested"). At least three in ten residents of all provinces across Canada are very interested in attending, with the highest interest coming from BC residents (48% "very interested").
Likelihood of purchasing tickets to attend the Games is understandably highest among residents of BC (31% "very likely"). VANOC was particularly encouraged however by study results from other provinces; approximately one in ten residents of Alberta (11%) and Ontario (9%) also say they are "very likely" to purchase tickets. In other regions of Canada, those saying they are "very likely" to purchase tickets ranges from 5-7% in Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Quebec, and the Atlantic provinces.
VANOC anticipates selling approximately 1.8 million tickets for Olympic and Paralympic sport events and Opening and Closing Ceremonies and approximately 800,000 tickets to the nightly medal award ceremonies in Vancouver and Whistler.
Ticket prices for the 2010 Games are still under development. VANOC is planning to offer a wide range of ticket prices and will take into consideration a number of factors, including the prevailing prices for major events in Canada and worldwide and the goal to extend the opportunity to enjoy the Games to a wide cross-section of the public.
"Knowing the level of intense Canada-wide interest in attending the 2010 Games, we want to get the system right," said Denton. "The purchase of a ticket is often the first and most important encounter that the public has with the Games Organizing Committee. We're committed to ensuring that experience is a positive one," said Denton.
VANOC plans to make full use of the internet and other technology to deliver its ticket sales program while also maintaining traditional delivery systems. In the meantime, public interested in receiving ticket information directly can register at vancouver2010.com.
VANOC will engage a ticketing service provider to assist in offering fair and equitable distribution of tickets and friendly customer service. In January, VANOC issued an expression of interest for a ticketing service provider. The successful ticketing agency will work with VANOC to develop a fair ticket sales, service and distribution plan, as well as policies and procedures to manage inventory and sell tickets for the 2010 Winter Games. A decision on the ticketing services provider for the 2010 Games is expected to be announced this summer.
About Charlton Strategic Research Inc.
Charlton Strategic Research Inc. is a Toronto-based independent research and consulting company specializing in events, sponsorship marketing and broadcast. This study was conducted via an online survey among a national panel of respondents in January 2007. A sample of 2750 Canadians aged 18+ completed the survey which is representative of the Canadian population across key demographics. Results are accurate to +/- 1.9%, nineteen times out of twenty.
About VANOC
VANOC is responsible for the planning, organizing, financing and staging of the XXI Olympic Winter Games and the X Paralympic Winter Games in 2010. The 2010 Olympic Winter Games will be staged in Vancouver and Whistler from February 12 to 28, 2010. Vancouver and Whistler will host the Paralympic Winter Games from March 12 to 21, 2010.
Mar 21
Leading the way for women in sport, Cathy Priestner Allinger reflects on 30 years of change“I found out that it was a stag dinner, so only men were allowed. I told my dad ‘I am not going, I’d be the only woman there,’” Priestner Allinger said. “And darned if they didn’t have to tell me I’d already won [the Athlete of the Year award] in order to get me to show up.”
The following year, the Calgary Booster Club opened its doors to women.
Priestner Allinger’s success as the first Canadian women to medal in speed skating was part of a larger movement of women going faster, pushing harder and competing more fiercely than ever before. The International Olympic Committee (IOC) website states that the 1970s were watershed years for women competing in elite athletics. This reflected a growing international acceptance that participating in sport was as beneficial for women as men.
Enjoying success
Greater encouragement for women to be active in sport has fostered unprecedented athletic achievement. In 2006, Canadian women swept the Torino Olympic Winter Games, taking twice as many medals as Canadian men – a direct result of female athletes who led the way and taught a generation of young girls to celebrate their athletic potential.
“In the past, you often found it was only the tomboys that were involved in sport. Now, that’s not the case,” Priestner Allinger said. “It’s acceptable to exert yourself, to be really physical, strong and competitive. Today, all girls feel they can participate in sport.”
Priestner Allinger didn’t set out to be a pioneer for Canadian women in sport, yet her career has demanded exactly that of her. When she joined the Salt Lake Organizing Committee, she became the first woman to head the sports function at an Olympic Games, summer or winter. She continued on, becoming managing director of sport for the Torino 2006 Olympic Winter Games. Today, as executive vice president, sport, Paralympic Games and venue management with Vancouver 2010, Priestner Allinger continues to lead by example.
Making progress, one step at a time
While more and more women are showing up at playing fields and sports rinks across Canada, Priestner Allinger said the executive board rooms of sport federations and major venues haven’t changed greatly since she stood on the Olympic podium in 1976.
“I pretty much live in a man’s world. It really still is a guys’ business,” said Priestner Allinger, noting that none of the international sport federations are led by women executives. “It can be a tough world to break into. Every time you go to a meeting, you’re the only woman in the room.”
Priestner Allinger credited the scarcity of women CEOs and coaches to a lack of exposure, as well as the challenges women face in trying to balance careers and family life.
“The demands of a career such as coaching aren’t conducive to a more traditional lifestyle that includes getting married and raising kids – unless you have a heck of a supportive spouse, which I’ve been lucky enough to have.” Priestner Allinger continued, “If you don’t have that kind of support system, it could be very difficult to balance family with what you want to accomplish professionally.”
Ultimately, Priestner Allinger believes more women will choose careers in sport as they see the spotlight shine on professional women in leadership roles.
“We have to feature and show off women who are doing the things many girls would probably like to do – to inspire them and suggest that a career in sport is a very real option,” said Priestner Allinger.
Mar 20
Jet Set Sports and CoSport to provide exclusive Olympic and Paralympic Games hospitality packages for Vancouver 2010 Winter Games: Global hospitality company selected as Official Supporter of the 2010 Winter Games
Jet Set Sports, along with its sister company CoSport, and the Vancouver Organizing Committee for the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games (VANOC) have formed a new partnership to develop exclusive hospitality packages for the 2010 Winter Games.
Jet Set Sports along with its affiliate company CoSport today become Official Supporters of the 2010 Winter Games and will begin working with VANOC to develop and supply official hospitality packages that will provide spectators with “one stop” to book exclusive packages for the 2010 Winter Games. The hospitality packages will be made available in Canada and in countries where Jet Set Sports has acquired ticket selling rights. Packages will be developed and available for booking towards the end of 2008.
“The excitement and anticipation for Canadians and people around the world wanting to attend the Games in 2010 is already very high and is continuing to gain momentum,” said VANOC Chief Executive Officer John Furlong. “With help from Jet Set Sports we know that those fans will receive a first-class hospitality experience. We have witnessed Jet Set first-hand at other Games and their level of service and attention to detail are remarkable.”
Jet Set Sports’ six-year Official Supporter partnership with VANOC provides sponsorship rights for the 2010 Winter Games and the Canadian Olympic Teams participating at the Beijing 2008, Vancouver 2010 and London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games. Jet Set Sports will be the exclusive provider of hospitality packages in Canada.
“Jet Set Sports and CoSport are thrilled to become part of the 2010 Winter Games family and to help fans from Canada and across the world come to British Columbia to watch the best athletes compete and celebrate the spirit of Olympism,” said Jet Set Sports and CoSport founder, Chairman and CEO Sead Dizdarevic. “We have been a long-time sponsor of the Canadian Olympic Team and the Canadian Olympic Committee, and we are honoured that VANOC has entrusted us to be their partner. Our goal is to create packages that allow our customers to have a once in a lifetime opportunity in attending the Games.”
About Jet Set Sports
Jet Set Sports and its sister company CoSport are leading providers of Olympic Games hospitality packages and Olympic Games event tickets to corporate clientele and the general public. Since 1984, Jet Set Sports has provided clients with unparalleled hospitality experiences at Olympic Games through its VIP Hospitality Programs and Hospitality Management Services. The company is an official sponsor of the Canadian Olympic Committee, the US Olympic Committee and various other National Olympic Committees throughout the world. Most recently, the company was an Official Sponsor of the 2006 Olympic Winter Games in Torino, Italy, the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens, Greece and the 2002 Olympic Winter Games in Salt Lake City, Utah. For more information, please visit www.jetsetsports.com and www.cosport.com.
About VANOC
VANOC is responsible for the planning, organizing, financing and staging of the XXI Olympic Winter Games and the X Paralympic Winter Games in 2010. The 2010 Olympic Winter Games will be staged in Vancouver and Whistler from February 12 to 28, 2010. Vancouver and Whistler will host the Paralympic Winter Games from March 12 to 21, 2010.
VANOC's marketing program is focused on securing mutually-rewarding partnerships with shared values to generate sufficient revenue to host successful Winter Games in 2010 and to leave a financial legacy for sport. VANOC’s Worldwide TOP Partners include Coca-Cola, Atos Origin, GE, McDonald’s, Omega and Visa. VANOC's National Partners are Bell Canada, Hbc, RBC Financial Group, GM Canada, Petro-Canada, and RONA. VANOC’s Official Supporters include the British Columbia Lottery Corporation, Canadian Pacific, Ricoh, the Royal Canadian Mint and Teck Cominco Limited. VANOC’s Official Suppliers are Birks, Dow Canada, EPCOR, Haworth Canada, Vincor and Workopolis.
Mar 19
Vancouver 2010 congratulates the Government of Canada for investing in Canadian winter athletes and Own the Podium 2010
As a founding partner of Own the Podium 2010, VANOC is committed to securing $55 million of the $110 million funding for OTP through corporate partnerships and the Province of British Columbia. The other half of the funding for OTP has been secured through the Government of Canada. Budget 2007 accelerates the federal contribution in order to ensure that Canadian athletes will have the security of uninterrupted training. The early advancement of the government’s $55 million contribution is necessary as a significant portion of the privately raised funds will come closer to the Games.
“In the eyes of Canadians, a large part of our success in 2010 will be defined by the achievements of our Canadian winter athletes,” said John Furlong, VANOC Chief Executive Officer. “The additional support is a great reminder of how the Government of Canada and Canadian companies, along with the Province of British Columbia, are working together to guarantee Canadian athletes the support they need to train and prepare for the Games in 2010. With the funding now guaranteed by the Government of Canada, we look forward to building on the tremendous support we have already received from our corporate partners.”
Today’s federal budget also includes legislative amendments made by the Government of Canada to provide tax relief in a number of key areas specifically benefiting the 2010 Games. VANOC has been engaged in discussions with the Canada Revenue Agency and the Department of Finance on this matter, and is pleased to see the government has taken swift and fair action to address several outstanding tax issues.
VANOC is responsible for the planning, organizing, financing and staging of the XXI Olympic Winter Games and the X Paralympic Winter Games in 2010. The 2010 Olympic Winter Games will be staged in Vancouver and Whistler from February 12 to 28, 2010. Vancouver and Whistler will host the Paralympic Winter Games from March 12 to 21, 2010.
VANOC Communications
Mar 15
Vancouver 2010 reports strong quarterly results for Nov ’06 – Jan ’07: Completion of field of play for 13 of 15 sport disciplines expected by year end
March 15, 2007
With the release of its quarterly results for the period of November 2006 through end of January 2007, the Vancouver Organizing Committee for the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games (VANOC) provided a summary of major activity to date and a look ahead to the 2007 construction season. VANOC also reconfirmed its goal of ensuring that athletes and officials in thirteen of fifteen sport disciplines will have access to their venues for training and competition during the 2007/2008 season.
The latest quarterly financial report released today, which covers the period of November 1, 2006 to January 31, 2007, highlights the significant venue construction activity completed in 2006. It also confirms that the venue development budget remains at $580 million and that the venues will be completed to allow athletes ample time to train and compete on the venues before the Games.
“Our project is literally rising from the ground,” said John Furlong, VANOC chief executive officer. “With venues under construction, rapid growth on our team, and a sponsorship program that continues to attract some of Canada’s best corporate partners, we are feeling very confident entering the second half of our project. The approval of our business plan and budget by our Board of Directors this week is a sound endorsement and we now look forward to the review and approval by the Government of Canada and the Province of British Columbia and its subsequent release to the public.”
Venues for thirteen of fifteen sport disciplines will be ready for training and competition by the end of this year, including:
Whistler Sliding Centre (bobsleigh, luge, skeleton)
Whistler Nordic competition venue (biathlon, ski jump and cross-country skiing, Nordic combined)
Whistler Alpine venue (alpine skiing)
Cypress Mountain (snowboard and freestyle skiing)
General Motors Place (ice hockey)
Hastings Park (figure skating and short track speed skating)
As anticipated and planned, VANOC has started to allocate funds within the venue development central contingency budget. The overall venue development budget remains unchanged at $580 million including contingency. The report notes $11.5 million from the original $66.8 million venue development contingency has been allocated to certain venues and the current contingency of $55.3 million is appropriate for the remaining commitments and risks.
“We are more than half way through our venue development program and have allocated less of the venue construction contingency than forecast,” said Dan Doyle, VANOC executive vice president, construction. “We are on schedule, on budget and on target to meet our goals of ensuring early completion, reducing complexity, and providing access to athletes while maximizing our testing opportunities.”
The quarterly report, available at vancouver2010.com, includes unaudited interim financial statements for the three months ended January 31, 2007.
VANOC’s revenue (deferred operating revenue) from marketing and sponsorship, the International Olympic Committee and other sources for the quarter ending January 31, 2007 was $35.2 million while expenses (deferred operating expenditures) were $28.4 million. Overall, operating revenue since VANOC was formed in 2003 totals $121.8 million while operating expenses total $121.2 million. In accordance with Canadian generally accepted accounting principles, due to the extended business cycle of preparing for the Games, all revenues and expenses are deferred until the commencement of the Games.
VANOC’s venue development expenditures for the quarter were $59.5 million and now total $242.0 million since venue construction started.
VANOC’s next quarterly report, covering the three months ending April 30, 2007 will be available in June 2007.
VANOC is responsible for the planning, organizing, financing and staging of the XXI Olympic Winter Games and the X Paralympic Winter Games in 2010. The 2010 Olympic Winter Games will be staged in Vancouver and Whistler from February 12 to 28, 2010. Vancouver and Whistler will host the Paralympic Winter Games from March 12 to 21, 2010.
Mar 14
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Mar 8
VANOC concludes successful IOC meetings: VANOC accepts IOC recommendation of ski cross to 2010 Winter Games sport program and secures additional accommodation in WhistlerAt the close of the session, VANOC Chief Executive Officer John Furlong presented all IOC members with a signed set of new Aboriginal sport posters unveiled earlier this week, underlining the importance of sharing the Games with the whole country.
“We are always stronger at the end of these sessions than we were at the beginning,” said Furlong. “We’re focused on solutions and working together. As we said at the beginning, we need their help, their advice and their input. Ultimately we will succeed together.”
As part of the reported progress, VANOC announced today that the 2010 Sport program will be the first to feature the exciting new event of ski cross. The highly popular event was officially accepted by VANOC during the IOC’s Coordination Commission visit to Vancouver this week. Also accepted were a format change to skeleton that will see athletes increase their competition runs from two to four, and a minor format change to speed skating pursuit that will be related to the in-Games qualifying procedure.
“Ski cross is definitely an exciting addition to the 2010 sport program,” said Cathy Priestner Allinger, VANOC Executive vice president sport. “It is a dynamic and emerging event that is guaranteed to capture the energy and imagination of spectators around the world in 2010.”
“We are thrilled that ski cross is being included in the 2010 Games” said Peter Judge, CEO of the Canadian Freestyle Ski Association. “This is a great opportunity for Canadian skiers and we have a number of athletes who are aiming for the 2010 podium. It is such a great spectator sport and I know it is going to appeal to everyone.”
VANOC also provided a positive accommodation update to the IOC which outlined a new commitment from Whistler property managers to meet the needs of the world’s media. Over 80 per cent of the projected media accommodation has been secured and tentative commitments are in place for many of the remaining rooms.
“The progress that has been made is a clear demonstration of how the Whistler community is rallying behind the Games,” said Terry Wright, Executive vice president, service operations and ceremonies. “We have secured the vast majority of the rooms we need and are well on our way to meeting and exceeding our accommodation goal. It has been highly encouraging to participate in the collaboration that has taken place between VANOC and the Whistler Tourism sector, particularly the resort's leading property managers.”
The three-day visit included meetings between VANOC and the IOC that covered many aspects of Games preparations, including Paralympic Games working groups, Games-time planning, sport facilities, venue construction updates, marketing, communications and technology. In addition to the meetings, IOC members visited select sites in Vancouver including the Athletes Village, the Main Media Centre and the Vancouver 2010 Omega countdown clock.
VANOC will be providing additional updates on Games planning progress in the upcoming quarterly report, scheduled for the middle of March.
VANOC is responsible for the planning, organizing, financing and staging of the XXI Olympic Winter Games and the X Paralympic Winter Games in 2010. The 2010 Olympic Winter Games will be staged in Vancouver and Whistler from February 12 to 28, 2010. Vancouver and Whistler will host the Paralympic Winter Games from March 12 to 21.
Mar 5
Meet Aqpik, Marek and Chelsie: Vancouver 2010 showcases Aboriginal athletes through poster series and invites Aboriginal youth to "Find Your Passion in Sport"
“At Vancouver 2010, we have set a goal of unprecedented Aboriginal participation,” said VANOC Chief Executive Officer John Furlong. “These three athletes have dreamed bigger, reached higher and celebrated what’s possible when you try. We are very proud of their accomplishments and are excited to have them on our team, encouraging Aboriginal participation in sport across the country.”
The athletes featured in the series reflect all three Aboriginal groups from across Canada, First Nations, Inuit and Métis. The three inspirational athletes were chosen from a final shortlist of a dozen candidates:
Chelsie Mitchell (Snowboard) – a First Nations youth from British Columbia
- Aqpik Peter (Speed Skating) – an Inuit youth from Nunavut
- Mareck Beaudoin (Biathlon) – a Métis youth from Quebec
Each of the three posters in the series features a compelling image of the athlete in the natural landscape where he or she lives and trains. The posters are trilingual, and include text in English, French and the Aboriginal language of each athlete’s respective ancestry. In conjunction with the unveiling of the poster series, the Aboriginal Participation section of the vancouver2010.com website is being re-launched with new content. The "Find Your Passion in Sport" poster series images can be downloaded free as wallpaper from vancouver2010.com.
More than 20,000 posters will be distributed to Aboriginal communities and organizations, Aboriginal youth organizations, Friendship Centres and Aboriginal schools across Canada. The campaign is designed to inspire Aboriginal youth to explore their dreams and become more actively engaged in winter sport at all levels.
“To be featured in this poster campaign is an honour and something I would never have imagined possible,” said Team Quebec biathlete Mareck Beaudoin. “Now that I see the final result of this project, I am reminded that sport is not only important for me as an individual athlete, but that sport and sport role models are important for all Aboriginal people in Canada.”
“The Olympic and Paralympic Games are not only about athletic excellence but also about community engagement and building a sport legacy to benefit everyone”, said the Honourable Helena Guergis, Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs and International Trade and Sport. “The young athletes featured on these posters are a symbol of the role that Aboriginal Peoples are playing to help reach these goals of the 2010 Winter Games and we are confident that they will make their communities and Canada proud.”
VANOC is the first Organizing Committee to integrate Indigenous Peoples as official partners in the planning and hosting of a Games. Aboriginal people were asked to participate in a meaningful way to formally acknowledge the partnership with VANOC, which has set a goal of achieving, with its partners, unprecedented Aboriginal participation in the planning and hosting of the 2010 Winter Games.
Background on the Campaign
In 2005, VANOC and the Aboriginal Sport Circle (ASC), Canada’s national voice for Aboriginal sport, signed a Statement of Cooperation. This Statement declares the intention to work together to take advantage of the opportunity the 2010 Winter Games provide to inspire and encourage more Aboriginal people to participate in sport across the country. In cooperation with the Aboriginal Sport Circle, the selection of the athletes to be featured in the posters was a process that took much of summer 2006. Over 60 nomination submissions were received from across Canada.
The Aboriginal athlete poster design highlights the athletes as role models in a style comparable to famous iconic athletes who are showcased as strong, confident and intense in their disciplines. The photography style, lighting and profile of the athlete is given a similar treatment to that found in top sport magazines featuring star athletes. The background highlights the association between each athlete’s training ground and the important connection to nature which continues to develop, challenge, motivate and inspire.
VANOC is proud to be working with the Lil’wat, Musqueam, Squamish and Tsleil-Waututh First Nations – known as the Four Host First Nations – on whose traditional lands the Games will take place – as well as other First Nations, Inuit and Métis groups throughout Canada in the planning and hosting of the Games.
VANOC is responsible for the planning, organizing, financing and staging of the XXI Olympic Winter Games and the X Paralympic Winter Games in 2010. The 2010 Olympic Winter Games will be staged in Vancouver and Whistler from February 12 to 28, 2010. Vancouver and Whistler will host the Paralympic Winter Games from March 12 to 21, 2010.
From the Arctic tundra of Iqaluit, to the forested hills of Gatineau, to the steep slopes of Whistler, Aqpik Peter, Mareck Beaudoin and Chelsie Mitchell are ordinary youth with extraordinary passion. Their stories will inspire young people in communities across Canada with the launch of the first-ever Vancouver 2010 poster series – Find Your Passion in Sport.
“At Vancouver 2010, we have set a goal of unprecedented Aboriginal participation,” said John Furlong, CEO of the Vancouver Organizing Committee for the 2010 Winter Games (VANOC). “These three athletes have dreamed bigger, reached higher and have celebrated what’s possible when you try. We are very proud of their accomplishments and are excited to have them on our team, encouraging Aboriginal participation in sport across the country.”
In partnership with the Aboriginal Sport Circle (ASC), Canada’s national voice for Aboriginal sport, VANOC put out the call for nominations, looking to find young, aspiring Aboriginal athletes with a passion for sport. VANOC looked for nominees who were dedicated to their sport, led healthy, drug- and alcohol-free lifestyles and were good role models for other young people in their communities. More than 60 nominations were received from across Canada.
“Each of these athletes embodies the Olympic spirit. Every day they strive to be the best they can. They’ve set goals, and are working hard to achieve them,” said Lara Mussell Savage, Aboriginal Participation specialist with VANOC.
The three athletes chosen to appear in the posters reflect the three Aboriginal groups within Canada – First Nations, Inuit and Métis. Not only do the athletes compete in different disciplines, but they come from different parts of Canada. Chelsie Mitchell is a First Nations snowboarder, based in Whistler, British Columbia; Aqpik Peter is an Inuit short-track speed skater, based in Iqaluit, Nunavut; and Mareck Beaudoin is a Métis biathlete, based in Gatineau, Quebec.
The posters showcase each athlete, framed by the natural landscape where they live and train.
“This is the first poster series VANOC has created and we’re really happy with how it has turned out,” said Leo Obstbaum, VANOC’s director of design. “Our goal was to create something kids would want to take home and put up on their walls. We want the posters to inspire youth to participate in sport – any sport that may excite them.”
More than 20,000 posters have been produced and are being distributed across Canada to Aboriginal communities, schools, youth organizations and Friendship Centres. The posters are trilingual, with text in English, French and the language of each athlete’s respective Aboriginal heritage.
Mussell Savage hopes the posters will inspire young people to discover their own passions. An accomplished Aboriginal athlete herself, she knows, from first-hand experience, how participation in sport can help youth to overcome barriers in other areas of their lives, and help create healthier Aboriginal communities.
“Sport not only keeps kids active and healthy, but it also builds things like self-confidence and self-esteem,” said Mussell Savage. “Aqpik, Mareck and Chelsie demonstrate how sport can instil self-motivation, determination and passion. We hope their stories will inspire other Aboriginal youth to become healthy and active role models in their communities.”
The 2007 Aboriginal poster series is the first phase of a series that will be launched between now and 2010. The Aboriginal poster series is open to Aboriginal athletes from across Canada participating in Indigenous and mainstream sports.
To nominate a young Aboriginal athlete for future editions of the Aboriginal poster series, visit the vancouver2010.com website for nomination forms, beginning in 2008. Nomination forms will also be available on the Aboriginal Sport Circle website at www.aboriginalsportcircle.ca.
Mar 2
Olympic and Paralympic brand protection legislation tabled by Government of Canada
This proposed legislation, known as The Olympic and Paralympic Marks Act, would provide special time-limited intellectual property protection for Olympic and Paralympic words and symbols associated with the Vancouver 2010 Winter Games and provide protection against any unauthorized business association with the Games, often known as ‘ambush marketing’.
The Vancouver Organizing Committee for the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games (VANOC) has an obligation to the International Olympic Committee (IOC), its sponsors and government partners to protect the Olympic and Paralympic Brands in Canada. As part of this commitment, VANOC has been engaged in extensive dialogue with Industry Canada on the need for this legislation to ensure adequate protection of the Olympic and Paralympic Brands.
With the introduction of this bill, Canada is following the best practices of other host countries to enact special legislation for Olympic and Paralympic marks including Australia (Sydney 2000 Summer Games), Greece (Athens 2004 Summer Games), Italy (Torino 2006 Winter Games) and China (Beijing 2008 Summer Games). Canadian Parliament adopted legislation for the Montreal 1976 Summer Games. The most similar legislation to the The Olympic and Paralympic Marks Act was enacted in Australia for the Sydney 2000 Summer Games and is already in place for the London 2012 Summer Games.
“We commend Minister Bernier on the proposed legislation that will strengthen the legacy for our athletes by giving our sponsors greater assurance that their exclusive rights will be protected,” said Dave Cobb, VANOC executive vice president, Revenue, Marketing and Communications. “The 2010 Winter Games will be one of the biggest events in our nation’s history and to stage successful Games we need the continued support of Canadian sponsors. The positive financial and infrastructure legacies of the 2010 Games for our athletes and all Canadians will be felt for generations.
”VANOC is committed to applying the proposed legislation in a disciplined, sensitive, fair and transparent manner. In this regard, VANOC intends to provide enhanced guidance to the public on the proper use of Olympic and Paralympic marks (www.vancouver2010.com). For example, VANOC is developing detailed guidelines that will be available to the public shortly. The proposed legislation will not be retroactive, and will therefore not apply to prior brand infringement cases.
“A sponsorship program that properly protects sponsor exclusivity will continue to attract top-level sponsors who are confident their investment will be protected,” said Cobb. “Many of these sponsors are also providing significant funds now to help our Canadian athletes go for gold in 2010. And post-Games, if our success includes a financial surplus, funds will go back into the Canadian sports system to directly benefit athletes,” he concluded.
VANOC is responsible for the planning, organizing, financing and staging of the XXI Olympic Winter Games and the X Paralympic Winter Games in 2010. The 2010 Olympic Winter Games will be staged in Vancouver and Whistler from February 12 to 28, 2010. Vancouver and Whistler will host the Paralympic Winter Games from March 12 to 21, 2010.
Feb 27
Travelling quickly down the road to 2010: final groundbreaking takes place at Hillcrest/Nat Bailey Stadium Park curling venue
“We’re going to see gold medals, and we’re going to have the eyes of the world on this community,” said federal Minister David Emerson, Minister of International Trade and Minister for the Pacific Gateway and the Vancouver-Whistler Olympics, at the ceremony. “It’s going to be a fabulous, fabulous event.”
The curling rink, which will accommodate up to 6,000 spectators, is the last venue to break ground for the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games. However, over the course of ceremony, government officials stressed that hosting world-class curlers in 2010 is only the beginning.
“This mega-project is all about transformation,” said Ian Robertson, Chair of the Vancouver Board of Parks and Recreation. “It is a true legacy for all Vancouverites, but especially those in the Riley Hillcrest Community.”
After the 2010 Winter Games, the Hillcrest/Nat Bailey Stadium Park will transform into a community recreation centre that will include an ice rink, gymnasium, library and eight sheets of curling ice.
Attached to the curling venue will be a new aquatic center boasting a 50-metre lap pool – the largest in Vancouver – a leisure pool and an outdoor pool. The aquatic centre will be managed by the Vancouver Board of Parks and Recreation and constructed at the same time as the curling venue in order to maximize cost efficiency. Both are scheduled for completion in fall 2008.
“This is a facility for the community and an example of the city building on the legacies of the Olympics,” said Gordon Campbell, Premier of British Columbia. “We are building these facilities in a way that improves the quality of life of the people who live here.”
David Emerson announced the Hillcrest/Nat Bailey Stadium Park facility is targeted for Gold certification from the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Green Building Rating System. LEED is an environmental rating system that is a leading guide for green building practices. Gold certification indicates a high commitment to minimizing the environmental impact of a project, including the impact on climate change.
“This [facility] is going to be an example of eco-friendly, green construction that will be a good model for other facilities in the community,” said Minister Emerson, adding that the facility was designed to conserve water and energy.
One environmentally sustainable feature of the Hillcrest/Nat Bailey facility will be the transfer of waste heat from the refrigeration plant to heat other building spaces, including the aquatics centre.
Home-grown members of the Vancouver Curling Club, wearing special tams for the occasion, threw the first stone for the new curling rink on an ‘inspired facsimile’ of a curling ice sheet.
Seeing local curlers, both young and old, throw the first stone while dignitaries looked on from the sidelines underscored the message of the ceremony. Long after the elite competitors and the spectators leave, the venue will remain: for everyone, and for years to come.
Feb 23
Construction begins at Hillcrest/Nat Bailey Stadium Park curling venue marking the final venue ground breaking for the 2010 Winter Games: Construction of all 2010 Winter Games venues now underway, on schedule and on budget.
Jack Poole, VANOC’s Chairman of the Board, was pleased to participate in the special ceremony marking the beginning of construction. “This is an historic day for our project,” said Mr. Poole. “This start to construction supports our commitment to providing Canadian athletes with early venue access for training that will help them achieve podium success in 2010. This venue will provide a wonderful community legacy for generations of Canadians to enjoy in the future.”
Hillcrest/Nat Bailey Stadium Park is scheduled for completion in the fall of 2008 and will seat 6,000 for the Olympic curling and Paralympic wheelchair curling competitions. The wheelchair curling seating capacity is one of the largest in Paralympic Winter Games history.
Post-Games, the curling venue will become a multi-purpose community recreation centre that will include an ice hockey rink, gymnasium, library and eight sheets of curling ice. Attached to, and being constructed with the curling venue, is a new aquatic centre with a 50 metre lap and leisure pool to be managed by the Vancouver Board of Parks and Recreation.
The multi-purpose centre has been designed using leading environmental and business practices and is targeted for LEED Gold certification. An example of the environmentally sustainable features planned include the transfer of waste heat from the refrigeration plant to heat other building spaces, the adjacent aquatics centre and the venue site.
The Hillcrest/Nat Bailey Stadium Park is part of a $580 million investment for 2010 Winter Games venues that is funded equally by the Government of Canada and the Province of British Columbia. The $38.0 million budget for the Olympic and Paralympic venue is provided by VANOC and its federal and provincial government partners. The City of Vancouver is contributing an additional $41.1 million of legacy project funding. The total cost of the Olympic and Paralympic venue and related projects, including the post-Games curling ice, aquatic centre and other legacy components is $79.1 million.
Also on hand for the ceremony were the Honourable David Emerson, Minister of International Trade and Minister for the Pacific Gateway and the Vancouver-Whistler Olympics; the Honourable Gordon Campbell, Premier of British Columbia; Chief Leah George, Representing the Four Host First Nations Society; His Worship Sam Sullivan, Mayor of Vancouver, Ian Robertson, Chair of the Vancouver Park Board and members of the local curling community.
VANOC is responsible for the planning, organizing, financing and staging of the XXI Olympic Winter Games and the X Paralympic Winter Games in 2010. The 2010 Olympic Winter Games will be staged in Vancouver and Whistler from February 12 to 28, 2010. Vancouver and Whistler will host the Paralympic Winter Games from March 12 to 21, 2010
Feb 22
Vancouver 2010 welcomes another licensee to the 2010 Winter Games team: Moving Products Inc. joins as Official Premium Fulfillment Licensee
Over the next three years, VANOC’s sponsor and partner requirements for custom-branded 2010 Winter Games merchandise licensed by VANOC will increase. With the addition of MPI as an Official Premium Fulfillment Licensee, Olympic and Paralympic sponsors and partners will now have an additional option for sourcing and receiving corporate premiums, uniforms and gifting items for their employees, officials and guests.
Moving Products joins our Premier National Partner, Hbc (through its fulfillment division, Hbc Custom Solutions), as a premium fulfillment option connecting VANOC sponsors and partners to our wide variety of licensed merchandise,” said Dennis Kim, director, licensing and merchandising, VANOC. “We’re pleased to welcome them to the Vancouver 2010 family.”
With lengthy Games experience, Canadian company MPI was the Official Outfitting Service Provider in Atlanta 1996, Sydney 2000 and Salt Lake 2002. MPI has outfitted nearly 250,000 individuals with more than two million pieces of custom sponsor-branded merchandise.
MPI houses a 4,000-square foot office and showroom in Vancouver. This will allow VANOC sponsors and partners to view, and purchase, custom merchandise with Vancouver 2010 logos.
VANOC is responsible for the planning, organizing, financing and staging of the XXI Olympic Winter Games and the X Paralympic Winter Games in 2010. The 2010 Olympic Winter Games will be staged in Vancouver and Whistler from February 12 to 28, 2010. Whistler and Vancouver will host the Paralympic Winter Games from March 12 to 21, 2010.
VANOC's licensee program is focused on securing mutually rewarding partnerships with shared values to generate sufficient revenue to host successful Winter Games in 2010 and to leave a financial legacy for sport. The royalties generated by this unique group of Canadian companies contribute to the overall operating budget for the Vancouver 2010 Winter Games.
VANOC’s Official Licensees include Aritzia LP, Artiss Aminco, Cajo Designs, Executive Promotions, Filmar Sportswear Canada Inc, Hbc, Kootenay Knitting Company Ltd., Moving Products Inc., Mustang Drinkware, New Era Cap Canada, Panabo Sales, Paris Glove of Canada, Please Mum, RC Products, Sundog Distributing Inc., Trimark Sportswear Group Inc., Vancouver Umbrella and Wilson International Products Ltd. These Canadian companies represent a wide range of hard good products and collectibles including pins, ski and snowboard accessories, glassware, sunglasses, umbrellas, gloves, mitts, toques and activewear.
Feb 20
Three-Year Countdown Event: Lively rivalries play out in Whistler
This past weekend, the Vancouver 2010 Information Centre in Whistler held a two-day, round-robin street hockey tournament as part of the festivities commemorating the three-year countdown to the Opening Ceremony of the 2010 Winter Games.
Now in its second year, the tournament saw eight teams face off on the paved walkway in front of the Information Centre. Crowds gathered in the bleachers to take in some serious, and sometimes not-so-serious, street hockey. Enthusiastic fans cheered both the underdogs and the reigning champions while the teams’ energy, hard work and fair play demonstrated the ideals of the Olympic Movement and provided a sense of what’s to come over the next three years.
Creating champions
As snow lightly fell in Whistler Village, hockey fans eagerly awaited a rival battle in the final game which pitted last year’s gold and silver medallists against one another again this year. The fast-paced, rousing game was tied 9-9 at the end of the third period, taking the game to sudden-death overtime. With less than a minute remaining in the five-minute overtime period, the 2006 gold medal team, ‘The Too Olds,’ scored, winning their second consecutive Whistler Street Hockey Tournament. Silver was awarded to ‘Moe Joe’s’ while the ‘Spearheads’ took bronze.
“This year we had a few new players including our goalie and he did really well,” said Ian Reith, captain of The Too Olds. “He saved us there. Moe Joe’s had some different guys than last year and it was a little more aggressive. But it was really fun, right down to the end. We have to come back next year for sure for a repeat [win].”
“The event captured the essence of what it is to be Canadian and how fun it is to do something as simple as getting your friends together and shooting a ball around with some sticks,” said Lizz Kelly, VANOC’s community relations coordinator.
While the teams battled it out, visitors to the Information Centre took in Sport of the Day exhibits, learning first-hand about the sports that will be played over the 27 days of competition in 2010. They did this through information displays, sport and equipment demonstrations and informal chats with athletes. Sport of the Day events continue at the 2010 Information Centre through February 28th.
“This weekend was all about community engagement, getting people involved and having some good, healthy fun,” said Kelly. “It was great to be able to hold the tournament right outside our Info Centre, which also coincided with hockey as the Sport of the Day. We encouraged people to come out, show their colours, bring their cheerleaders and get into the spirit of the 2010 Games.
