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Tips and information to enhance the Olympic spectator experience

Vancouver, BC? Being a part of an Olympic Games is an exciting and inspirational moment for all. With five days to go before the Opening Ceremony for the Vancouver 2010 Olympic Winter Games, organizers want to ensure spectators, as well as athletes have all the information they need to fully enjoy this once-in-a-lifetime experience.

Attending the Games is different than any other large-scale international sport or cultural event and to help spectators optimize their experience, a summary of key information and tips has been issued by the Vancouver Organizing Committee for the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games (VANOC). 

This summary will assist ticketholders in determining what they should wear, what they should bring and how they will travel throughout Metro Vancouver and the Resort Municipality of Whistler (RMOW). The information identifies city specific and mountain specific tips to ensure spectators “know before they go” and have an extraordinary experience.

Spectator tips for what to wear and what to bring to venues:

In the city:

1. Be sure to dress for cold and wet weather. Metro Vancouver has a beautiful, temperate climate but it can be unpredictable. Be prepared for changing conditions by wearing waterproof, layered clothing that protects against wind and cold. You may be in a chilly indoor environment for several hours, or required to wait outside for up to an hour while we unload the venue from the previous event.

2. Folding, collapsible umbrellas are permitted. Umbrellas that are small enough to go under your seat (under 60 centimetres when closed) will be permitted inside the venues. Rain ponchos will also be available for sale at most venues.

In the mountains (Whistler and Cypress Mountain venues):

1. Remember to wear windproof, waterproof hats, scarves, gloves or mittens. At mountain venues you may be outside for extended periods of time with limited or no access to shelter.

2. Wear comfortable and well-insulated winter boots with good traction. At mountain venues, you may be required to walk on slippery, snow-covered slopes. Remember to wear waterproof, appropriate shoes at city venues as well.  

What to bring:

For all venues:

1. Carry the smallest bag possible. There is limited space within the venue seating area and no bag check available. If you have a bag smaller than a bread box (15 cm x 15 cm x 30 cm), or no bag at all, you can use the public screening area express lane into the venue.
2. Do you have your tickets with you? Are they for the correct venue, session, date, and time?
3. Have you checked our list of prohibited and restricted items? The list is available in the spectator guide that was delivered with your tickets, as well as on maps available at Vancouver 2010 information kiosks in downtown Vancouver, at tourism offices and online at www.vancouver2010.com/olympic-spectator-guide/.
4. Bring your Visa card or cash. Visa debit, Visa credit cards and Canadian currency are the only accepted forms of payment at Olympic venues. Visa is the only card accepted to obtain cash at automatic teller machines (ATMs), as well.

In the mountain (Whistler and Cypress Mountain venues) specifically:

1. Blankets and stadium cushions are permitted inside the venue. However, please ensure they do not include any metal components. This would delay your security screening process and getting to your seat as quickly as possible.
2. Water is permitted at all mountain venues. We want to ensure spectators have access to potable water during competition. City venues are equipped with water fountains, as well as concession stands. Most mountain venues also have food and beverage services; however you may also bring in plastic water bottles that have the seal intact.
3. Snacks and beverages are permitted on the Olympic bus network. Due to the length of time required to travel up to Whistler venues, spectators are allowed to bring snacks and beverages on the bus trip. Outside food and beverages, however, will not be allowed into the venue.

How to get there:

For all venues:

1. Please remember there is no parking at any of the venues. 
2. “Know Before You Go” and consider all the options for a travel experience that is sensible and sustainable. Walking, cycling or rideshare/car pooling will ensure you get to your destination, while contributing to a greener, more sustainable Games. Visit www.travelsmart2010.ca to explore all the possibilities!
3. Avoid missing your event: reserve your seat on the Olympic bus network. The Olympic bus network is the only way for spectators to be transported to Cypress Mountain and the fastest way to get to Whistler venues from Metro Vancouver and the Sea to Sky corridor. After each competition, spectators will be transported back to their originating departure point. Seats can be booked at www.obn2010.com
4. An Olympic sport or ceremony event ticket is your ticket to ride. The spectator ticket entitles you to ride all TransLink systems around Metro Vancouver on the day of your event. Use SeaBus, SkyTrain or extensive bus networks to access venues. For Sea to Sky residents and guests, your ticket provides access to BC Transit services on the day of your event. Proof of residency is required in Squamish for access to the system.
5. Plan to arrive early. Avoid missing a minute of the action! At city venues, gates open two hours before the start of competition and three hours ahead of time in the mountains. With a team of close to 200, including producers, announcers, DJs, and field talent, we ensure each competition venue, from cross-country skiing to curling and snowboarding, has its own unique feel based on the traditions of the sport. Spectators will experience more than 900 roving entertainers around the city and mountains.
6. Prepare for security screening. All spectators will be asked to pass through a magnetometer (metal detector).  Help expedite the process by emptying pockets of all metal objects.

For the Cypress Mountain venue specifically:

1. All Cypress Mountain ticket holders must travel on the Olympic bus network. Go to www.obn2010.com to book your seat on the bus network.
2. Departure hubs:

• Capilano University
• Simon Fraser University
• Lonsdale Quay

1. The trip to Cypress will take between 30 and 60 minutes.

2. Be prepared to walk from the bus drop-off point at the venue. Remember to wear weatherproof shoes with good traction as spectators will need to walk 1.6 kilometres to two km on gravel to reach the stadiums. Additional details and venue maps can be found in the spectator guide delivered with your tickets and online at www.vancouver2010.com/olympic-spectator-guide/.

Whistler venues (Whistler Creekside, Whistler Olympic Park/Whistler Paralympic Park and The Whistler Sliding Centre) specifically:

1. There is no public parking in Whistler.
2. From Metro Vancouver: Ticket holders travelling to Whistler from Metro Vancouver on the day of their event will travel on the Olympic bus network.
3. From the Sea to Sky corridor: Ticket holders staying in the Sea to Sky corridor can ride public transit to Whistler events.
4. From Squamish: There is no public transit for Metro Vancouver ticket holders from Squamish.
5. Travel time to Whistler on the Olympic bus network will take approximately three hours.

For the most up-to-date information available now and during the Games, visit www.vancouver2010.com/olympic-spectator-guide/. The section reviews transportation options, venue specific recommendations and directions, ceremonies and celebration information, as well as providing detailed lists of prohibited and restricted actions and items. Spectators can also sign up for immediate alerts and notifications via e-mail. A new feature now available for maximum usability and convenience is a spectator guide phone application, which can be downloaded onto Samsung mobile phones.

About VANOC

VANOC is responsible for the planning, organizing, financing and staging of the XXI Olympic Winter Games and the 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. Visit www.vancouver2010.com.