Tag Archive for 'X Paralympic'

VANOC thanks Canadians, fans, for wearing hearts on their hands – News Releases : Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympics

Published on May 7, 2010 in Olympics. 0 Comments Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , .

Over 3.5 million pairs of Red Mittens purchased in support of Canadian winter athletes

Vancouver, BC ? The Vancouver Organizing Committee for the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games (VANOC) today thanked Canadians and all fans who showed their support for the Canadian athletes and the 2010 Games by purchasing a pair of Red Mittens. Over 3.5 million pairs of mittens were sold during the five-month campaign and the mittens quickly became one of the most enduring and popular items of the pre-Games and Games-time period. The full inventory of Red Mittens has now been sold.

“To everyone who bought a pair of Red Mittens, who waved at a torchbearer in their community, who showed their spirit every day, or who wore them while cheering their team at the venues or while watching on television, we send a heartfelt ‘thank you’,” said John Furlong, VANOC’s Chief Executive Officer. “Red Mittens were more than a souvenir, they became the “it” item to show support for the Games and we’re grateful to everyone who literally wore their hearts on their hands. We also thank our partners, and particularly the Hudson’s Bay Company and CTV, Canada’s Olympic Network, for their strong support of the Red Mittens campaign.”

Since VANOC launched Red Mittens last fall to raise funds to support Canadian athletes at the 2010 Winter Games, Red Mittens have been seen on the hands of a prince, a premier, a prime minister, the IOC President and millions of proud Canadians and worldwide visitors. Numerous statues also sported Red Mittens, including the Drumheller dinosaur, the Harry Jerome runner in Stanley Park and the Lions Gate Bridge lions. A hit from the beginning, by December 2009, the mittens had reached VANOC’s established goal: one million pairs sold. By the time the Olympic Winter Games ended, on February 28, 2010, more than 3.5 million pairs had been sold. The mittens were made available on www.vancouver2010.com and through Hudson’s Bay Company stores, including Zellers, the Bay and Home Outfitters locations.

Red Mittens were conceived as an affordable, fun and unique way for Canadians and all Games fans to connect with Vancouver 2010 and support Canadian athletes. Demand grew as soon as the Olympic Torch Relay and Olympic torchbearers started, on October 30, to wind their way across the country wearing Red Mittens. As the Christmas holiday season approached, their popularity ? both as a gift item and as practical, fun winter apparel ? grew rapidly. In January/February 2010, demand for Red Mittens peaked as Canadians and international visitors sought out the fun and distinctly Canadian Red Mittens.  

Net proceeds from every pair of Vancouver 2010 Red Mittens sold help complete the funding of the five-year Own the Podium 2010 initiative, which provided Canadian athletes with top Games-related equipment and training. Any additional funds raised through the Red Mittens campaign support a variety of 2010 Winter Games athlete- and sport-based initiatives.

 

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. Please visit www.vancouver2010.com for more information.

For more information:
VANOC Communications
Tel: 604.403.1611
E-mail: mediarelations@vancouver2010.com

VANOC confirms team effort paying off to ready Cypress Mountain for 2010 Olympic Winter Games – News Releases : Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympics and Paralympics

Published on January 28, 2010 in Olympics. 0 Comments Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , .

First athletes arrive for training February 5

Note to editors: B-roll and photo images of Cypress Mountain shot earlier this week are available by contacting VANOC Communications

Vancouver, BC ? In response to ongoing unseasonably warm weather, an aggressive and intensive effort by the Vancouver Organizing Committee for the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games (VANOC) to implement its contingency plan to ready Cypress Mountain to host competitions at the Games is paying dividends.

Snow moving from higher elevations onto snowboard and freestyle courses will be substantially completed by Friday, January 29. The shaping and grooming of all courses has begun in earnest and snow will continue to be moved to build up existing stockpiles. This strategy is supported by numerous protection measures, such as using tarps and extra snow to build up courses to account for snow melt.

“The plan to stage the freestyle and snowboard events on Cypress Mountain is continuing full steam ahead,” said Tim Gayda, VANOC’s vice president of sport. “We’ve made great progress in preparing the venue thanks to our team that’s been working night and day to deliver on the contingency plan we had ready. We look forward to hosting some of the world’s greatest athletes on Cypress Mountain in just over two weeks.”

The venue team has implemented a variety of operational changes to ensure the integrity of all key considerations: the field of play for competition, as well as the television broadcast and live spectator experience.

“Changes to the design of the competition courses necessitate adaptations in other critical areas, including broadcast positions, seating access, technology, sport production, and overlay plans to name just a few. Every team ?  including those who are dedicated to other mountain venues ?   is pulling together to make the changes and provide the support that will ensure Cypress Mountain works well in every aspect during the Games,” said Dick Vollet, VANOC’s vice president of mountain venues.

In mid-January, VANOC and Cypress Mountain management agreed to close the West Vancouver ski resort’s alpine runs to the public in order to undertake the significant preparation required to ready the mountain for Olympic competition, especially in light of the unseasonably warm and wet weather.

Since then, a dedicated team of 45 people working 24/7 have used eight snowcats out of a fleet of 24 and two large dump trucks to move more than 300 truckloads of snow from the top of Mount Strachan ? where more than three metres of snow remains untouched in the Skychair area ? to the field of play on neighbouring Black Mountain. In the case of the of mogul and aerials venue, the steepness of the course requires the snow to be winched up Black Mountain by snowcats.

So far, 1,065 bales of straw, which will eventually be covered with a layer of snow, have been used to replace the base of packed snow originally anticipated. Of these bales, approximately 800 were airlifted into place by helicopter to shape and construct snowboard cross and ski cross course features, which will also be covered with a layer of snow.

On Tuesday, officials with the International Ski Federation (FIS), which is responsible for certifying the venue ready for athletes, expressed their approval of snow harvesting and course preparations after an extensive tour of the venue.

“FIS is confident that with the current amount of snow on the mountain, and the snow saving measures that have been taken, VANOC will be able to create a world-class venue for our snowboard events during the 2010 Olympic Winter Games,” said Marcel Looze, the federation’s snowboard race director.

Joe Fitzgerald, FIS’s freestyle ski coordinator, added: “I was pleased to see the heroic efforts of the Organizing Committee to prepare the snow on the freestyle courses. They have made every effort beyond expectations to create the best conditions.”

About Snow Making at Cypress Mountain

Cypress Mountain has a snowmaking reservoir of more than 22.7 million litres of water (five million gallons) and the terrain has been shaped to accommodate the construction of freestyle skiing and snowboard event courses with the minimum amount of snow needed.

State-of-the-art snow making using 35 snow guns has been operating around-the-clock since November 2009 and has converted over 95.3 million litres of water (21 million gallons) to snow needed to construct the courses. This snow has been stockpiled all over the mountain to ensure the terrain at Games time can sustain all weather conditions. It has been pushed down the mountain by snow grooming machinery to be shaped by machine and by hand to create the freestyle and snowboard courses, including the 160-metre-long superpipe, which is 19.5 m to 20 m wide and 6.5 m high.

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. Visit www.vancouver2010.com.

Press Contact
If you are a member of the media, please contact mediarelations@vancouver2010.com

DEVO to perform during February 22 Whistler Victory Ceremony at 2010 Winter Games – News Releases : Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympics and Paralympics

Published on January 26, 2010 in Olympics. 0 Comments Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , .

Whistler, BC ? DEVO, one of post-modern rock’s most visionary and influential bands, will perform live in celebration of medal-winning athletes at the Vancouver 2010 Olympic Winter Games as part of the Whistler Victory Ceremonies on February 22.

The announcement of DEVO completes the lineup of 15 top North American headline acts for the Whistler Victory Ceremonies, which also includes Feist, Usher, Our Lady Peace, and The Fray. Each act will perform for one night from February 13 to 27 during the Games at Whistler Medals Plaza. For more information on the lineup, visit www.vancouver2010.com.

The full night of entertainment is an once-in-a-lifetime chance to gather together with fellow Canadians and Olympic fans from around the world to celebrate the world’s best winter athletes as they receive their medals in such sports as ski jumping, downhill skiing, biathlon, and luge.

“We’re excited to add DEVO to the amazing lineup at Whistler Medals Plaza, which features cutting-edge solo artists and bands,” said Christy Nicolay, vice president of sport production and Victory Ceremonies for the Vancouver Organizing Committee for the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games (VANOC).

“We’re all looking forward to seeing them bring their unique brand of live performance to our outdoor amphitheatre under the stars in celebration of the world’s greatest athletes,” she added. “These nightly Victory Ceremonies are possible thanks to our partners, the Resort Municipality of Whistler and the Government of Canada.”

Formed in Akron, Ohio in 1974 as a multimedia experiment, the band ? best known for the 1980s smash Whip It ? is expected to release its first studio album in nearly 20 years this year.

Whistler Victory Ceremony tickets were distributed to the public in the Sea to Sky region through a contest operated in partnership with Tourism Whistler at www.whistler.com. Winners were notified via e-mail by January 22. Tickets must be picked up by the winner (with ID and proof of address in the Sea to Sky region) at the Main Ticket Centre in Whistler, located next to Whistler Medals Plaza, by January 31.

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. Visit www.vancouver2010.com.

Press Contact
If you are a member of the media, please contact mediarelations@vancouver2010.com
For all other inquiries, please contact info@vancouver2010.com

Cypress Mountain alpine runs closed early to preserve snow, prepare venue for 2010 Winter Games – News Releases : Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympics and Paralympics

Published on January 13, 2010 in Olympics. 0 Comments Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , .

Ski resort to reopen to public after Games on March 9

Vancouver, BC ? To preserve and protect the integrity of the 2010 Winter Games snowboard and freestyle skiing courses at Cypress Mountain, the Vancouver Organizing Committee for the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games (VANOC) and Cypress Mountain management have agreed this morning to close the ski resort’s alpine runs to the public effective today, two and half weeks earlier than planned. Cypress Mountain will reopen its alpine runs for public use as planned on March 9. 

The decision to close the mountain until after the Games follows several days of unseasonably warm and wet weather in the Vancouver area, during which VANOC has been running an intensive snow salvage project to conserve snow, including stockpiling snow at higher elevations. This week Cypress Mountain management decided to close for two days, as did other West Vancouver Mountains, because of heavy rain. 

With this early closure, VANOC will move forward with construction in areas previously contemplated to start on February 1. These tasks include: the installation of warming tents, fencing, wayfinding signs and Look of the Games banners around the venue. Snowmaking will also continue as soon as conditions permit. 

“Closing Cypress Mountain early is the responsible thing to do, given the recent weather, in order to make sure we’re ready to host the world’s best athletes in one month’s time,” said Tim Gayda, VANOC’s vice president of sport. “We appreciate Cypress Mountain management’s support and we’d like to thank all Cypress Mountain users for their understanding and look forward to helping welcome them back in March.” 

Cypress will host competitions at the Vancouver 2010 Olympic Winter Games in aerials, moguls, parallel giant slalom, halfpipe, and ski cross ? which is making its Olympic debut in 2010.

Editors Note:  A media availability will be held this morning at 11:00 am (Pacific Time) at Cypress Mountain with Tim Gayda, VANOC’s vice president of sport, and Kent Rideout of Cypress Mountain. 

Media are asked to park in Lot 3B, where they will be provided with instructions. Please be prepared to walk for 10 to 15 minutes, dress appropriately and bring an umbrella as the availability will be held outdoors. 

About Snow Making at Cypress Mountain
Cypress Mountain has a snowmaking reservoir of more than 22.7 million litres of water (five million gallons) and the terrain has been shaped to accommodate the construction of freestyle skiing and snowboard event courses with the minimum amount of snow needed.

State-of-the-art snow making using 35 snow guns has been operating around-the-clock since November and has converted over 95.3 million litres of water (21 million gallons) to snow needed to construct the courses. This snow has been stockpiled all over the mountain to ensure the terrain at Games time can sustain all weather conditions. Over the next three weeks, the snow will be pushed down the mountain by snow grooming machinery where it will be shaped by machine and by hand to create the freestyle and snowboard courses, including the 60-metre-long superpipe, which is 19.5 m to 20 m wide and 6.5 m high.

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. Visit www.vancouver2010.com.

Press Contact
If you are a member of the media, please contact mediarelations@vancouver2010.com

For all other inquiries, please contact info@vancouver2010.com

TravelSmart 2010 Challenge to test Games-time travel plans, starting Friday, January 8 in Vancouver – News Releases : Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympics and Paralympics

Published on January 9, 2010 in Olympics. 0 Comments Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , .

Vancouver, BC ? Commuters, delivery drivers and residents working and living in downtown Vancouver: are we ready to travel successfully during the 2010 Winter Games and manage road closures, significantly reduced on-street public parking and tens of thousands more people in the city? 

To prepare for a successful experience from February 12 to March 1, drivers who frequently travel in downtown Vancouver are encouraged to start practising their Games-time travel plans now and be a part of the weekly TravelSmart 2010 Challenge. The challenge, which will promote incremental reductions in vehicle traffic as phased-in road closures go into place, starts this Friday, January 8 and will run every Friday for the next five weeks in the city leading up to the Opening Ceremony on February 12.

  • This week’s road closures: Abbott between Pacific and Expo (January 4 to March 1)
  • This week’s vehicle traffic reduction goal: five per cent
  • Overall vehicle traffic reduction goal: At least a 30 per cent reduction by February 12 and throughout the Games

The weekly challenge is simple: Drivers need to think now about how they travel and read up on their options at www.travelsmart2010.ca on what changes they can make to reduce traffic congestion. Perhaps this means taking public transit or cycling to the office. It could also mean changing work hours or teleworking to avoid the Games-time peak travel times into downtown Vancouver of 7:00 am to 9:00 am and 2:00 pm to 7:00 pm. 

“The world’s eyes will be on us, visitors, athletes and officials will be here in our city ? many for the first time ? and we all need to do our part to make the transportation plan one of the great success stories and one of their great memories of these Games,” said John Furlong, CEO of the Vancouver Organizing Committee for the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games (VANOC). 

“The TravelSmart 2010 Challenge is a great chance for people to prepare themselves and test their travel plans for moving in and out and all around the city during Games time. We’re asking everyone to look at thier travel options, try them out ahead of time, and make adjustments if necessary,” added Terry Wright, executive vice president, services and Games operations, on behalf of the Olympic and Paralympic Transportation Team (OPTT). “It’s a matter of everyone getting  involved and knowing before you go ? it’s the best way to avoid surprises at Games time when on-street public parking will be virtually non-existent in the downtown core and the city’s population will swell by tens of thousands of people every day.” 

To measure the success of the challenge in reducing vehicle traffic on an incremental basis, the City of Vancouver will conduct data monitoring on behalf of the OPTT each Friday and report on the vehicle traffic reduction results publicly the following week. 

Public recognition and chance to win tickets for companies who commit to TravelSmart
More than 200 companies have signed up and shared their Games-time travel plans for their employees and deliveries with the OPTT. Full-page ads in the Vancouver Sun and The Province  on January 12 will highlight their commitment and more companies are encouraged to sign up today to be profiled and recognized. For more information on how to build a Games-time travel plan, contact travelsmart@translink.ca. 

All companies who commit to reducing vehicle traffic and share their travel plan will be entered in a weekly draw leading up to the Games for a chance to win 50 tickets to nightly Victory Ceremonies at BC Place, where Olympic athletes will stand on the podium to receive their medals and top Canadian entertainment will rock the crowd. Thirteen companies will win sets of 50 tickets each. The tickets are a great way to reward employees, business associates and customers for changing their travel behaviour to help make the Games a success.

For the most up-to-date transportation information available now and during the Games, visit www.travelsmart2010.ca. The website portal directs users to the appropriate OPTT member website for theinformation they are seeking, such as the City of Vancouver, Resort Municipality of Whistler, TransLink, BC Transit, or VANOC. 

About the OPTT
Members of the Olympic and Paralympic Transportation Team (OPTT) are VANOC, the City of Vancouver, Resort Municipality of Whistler, TransLink, BC Transit, the provincial Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure, and the Vancouver 2010 Integrated Security Unit. Planning is also supported by other partners, including Transport Canada and the municipalities of Richmond and West Vancouver.

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. Visit www.vancouver2010.com.

Press Contact
If you are a member of the media, please contact mediarelations@vancouver2010.com

For all other inquiries, please contact info@vancouver2010.com

Leading engineering firm SNC-Lavalin Inc. named 64th sponsor of the 2010 Winter Games – News Releases : Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympics and Paralympics

Published on December 23, 2009 in Olympics. 0 Comments Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , .

Vancouver, BC ? SNC-Lavalin Inc. and the Vancouver Organizing Committee for the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games (VANOC) announced today that the Canadian engineering company has been named an Official Supplier for the upcoming Games. 

Under the agreement, SNC-Lavalin Inc. will have rights to market and promote within the engineering services and construction services product category for the 2010 Winter Games and rights to associate with the Canadian Olympic Teams competing at the Vancouver 2010 Olympic Winter Games and the London 2012 Olympic Games. In return, SNC-Lavalin Inc. will make a financial investment in the Games. 

“SNC-Lavalin is pleased to partner with the Vancouver 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games,” said Jim Burke, Executive Vice President of SNC-Lavalin Inc. 

“We are looking forward to the opportunity to support the 2010 Winter Games and the athletes in achieving their goals for the Games. SNC-Lavalin’s role as an Official Supplier underpins our continued commitment to sustainability and embodies SNC-Lavalin’s key corporate values and beliefs which make up the cornerstones of our WE CARE culture. We wish the very best Games in history for Canada, VANOC, the athletes, and our community.” 

John Furlong, VANOC’s CEO, added: “We’re delighted to welcome a dynamic company like SNC-Lavalin to our sponsor family, a company that has deep roots in Canada and has always demonstrated excellence in their projects both here at home and around the world. Their partnership helps us exceed our domestic sponsorship goals for delivering great Games in 2010.”

About SNC-Lavalin Inc.
SNC-Lavalin (TSX: SNC) is one of the leading engineering and construction groups in the world and a major player in the ownership of infrastructure, and in the provision of operations and maintenance services. SNC-Lavalin has offices across Canada and in over 35 other countries around the world, and is currently working in some 100 countries. 

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 2010 Paralympic Winter Games from March 12 to 21, 2010. Visit www.vancouver2010.com. 

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, Acer, Atos Origin, General Electric, McDonald’s, Omega, Panasonic, Samsung and Visa. VANOC’s National Partners are Bell Canada, Hudson’s Bay Company, RBC Financial Group, General Motors of Canada, Petro-Canada and RONA. 

VANOC’s Official Supporters include Air Canada, BC Hydro, Bombardier, the British Columbia Lottery Corporation, Canadian Pacific, Insurance Corporation of British Columbia (ICBC), Jet Set Sports, Ricoh Canada, Royal Canadian Mint and Teck Resources. 

VANOC’s Official Suppliers are 3M, Acklands-Grainger, Aggreko, ALDA Pharmaceuticals Corp., Aquilini Investment Group, Birks, Britco, Canada Post, Canwest Publishing, COLD-FX, Concord Pacific, Deloitte, Dow Canada, EPCOR, Garrett Metal Detectors, General Mills, Hain Celestial Canada, Haworth Canada, Jackson Triggs, Karl’s Global Events Inc,. La Presse, Millennium Development Corp., Molson, Nike Canada Corp., Nortel, Offsetters, Port Metro Vancouver, Purolator Courier Ltd., Saputo, Sleep Country Canada, SNC-Lavalin Inc., Sun Microsystems of Canada, The Globe and Mail, Tickets.com, TransCanada, Vancouver Airport Authority, Weston Bakeries, Workopolis and Wrigley Canada.

Press Contact
If you are a member of the media, please contact mediarelations@vancouver2010.com

For all other inquiries, please contact info@vancouver2010.com


Vancouver 2010 Terry Fox Award to honour Olympian who touches world with courage, humility and extraordinary athletic abilities at 2010 Winter Games – News Releases : Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympics and Paralympics

Published on December 23, 2009 in Olympics. 0 Comments Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , .

Ottawa, ON ? The name of an everyday hero, who continues to touch the hearts of Canadians three decades after his ambitious cross-country run to find a cure for cancer, will be etched on a brand-new award presented to an athlete competing at the Vancouver 2010 Olympic Winter Games. 

The Vancouver 2010 Terry Fox Award will be presented during a public ceremony in downtown Vancouver on February 27, 2010 to an Olympian, who may be from any country participating in the Games. 

 “Few people have touched the soul of this great nation like Terry Fox did on his Marathon of Hope in 1980 and continue to do so every year as hundreds of thousands of Canadians remember him on runs held from coast to coast to coast in support of cancer research,” said John Furlong, Chief Executive Officer of the Vancouver Organizing Committee for the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games (VANOC). 

Furlong announced the creation of the award today with the Fox family at an event in Ottawa, ON, held in an area across from the Parliament Buildings that contains an iconic statue of the legendary young amputee runner from Port Coquitlam, BC, and the countdown clock for the 2010 Winter Games. 

 “This award will be presented to an athlete who embodies the same values that Terry Fox did,” Furlong continued. “This athlete will be someone who is the epitome of determination in motion, who pushed on no matter what the pain or obstacles in their path and touched Canada and the world by displaying humility and selflessness in their treatment of others both on and off the field of play – a veritable hero.”

The athlete will be selected by a small panel comprised of well-known CTV sportscaster Brian Williams, Olympian and VANOC board member Charmaine Crooks, a member of the Fox Family, and Tricia Smith, an honorary mayor of the Olympic and Paralympic Village Vancouver during the Olympic Winter Games.

“We sincerely appreciate the efforts of John Furlong and the VANOC team to acknowledge Terry in 2010 ? a year that marks the 30th anniversary of the Marathon of Hope,” said his brother, Darrell Fox. “As a teenager, Terry was an avid athlete in basketball, soccer and rugby and would be proud to be recognized on the world stage as part of the Olympic Winter Games.”

On April 12, 1980, Terry Fox set out with little fanfare from St. John’s, NL, on an ambitious ? and at that time unheard of ? cross-country run to help raise funds for cancer research. The image of him running with a prosthetic leg, the result of a bone cancer diagnosis and amputation at age 18, made a deep and emotional impact on Canadians as he ran on his Marathon of Hope and they opened their hearts and their wallets for his cause.

After running 143 days and 5,373 kilometres through Atlantic Canada, Quebec and much of Ontario, his journey was cut short outside of Thunder Bay, ON, on September 1, 1980 when cancer appeared in his lungs. He passed away at the age 22 on June 28, 1981 but his dream lives on with annual Terry Fox Runs throughout Canada and internationally. To date, close to $500 million has been raised worldwide for cancer research in his name and his journey has inspired others to follow in his footsteps. For more information, visit www.terryfox.org.

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. Visit www.vancouver2010.com.

Press Contact
If you are a member of the media, please contact mediarelations@vancouver2010.com

For all other inquiries, please contact info@vancouver2010.com


VANOC releases tickets for figure skating training sessions and Paralympic Closing Ceremony – News Releases : Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympics and Paralympics

Published on December 23, 2009 in Olympics. 0 Comments Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , .

Vancouver, BC ? The Vancouver Organizing Committee for the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games (VANOC) is announcing two new exciting and affordable ticketing options for the 2010 Winter Games. Starting Friday, December 11 at 10:00 am (Pacific Time) tickets for figure skating training sessions and the Closing Ceremony for the Paralympic Winter Games will go on sale to the Canadian public on a first-come, first served basis.

Tickets for figure skating training will cost $30, while tickets to the Vancouver 2010 Paralympic Winter Games’ Closing Ceremony will cost just $60. See below for additional details, including where to purchase.

Figure Skating Training Sessions

The figure skating training tickets are a great chance for fans to watch star athletes just hours or days before they perform before the world at Pacific Coliseum. The skaters could include Canadian medal hopefuls Patrick Chan and Joannie Rochette, world champions American Evan Lysacek, South Korea’s Kim Yu-Na, as well as Russia’s ice dancing stars Oksana Domnina and Maxim Shabalin.

“This is an amazing opportunity for the public to see some of the best skaters in the world in a more relaxed atmosphere,” said Bev Viger, manager of figure skating for VANOC. “Athletes enjoy having an audience to perform to during their training and this helps build energy in advance of competition.”

Tickets are available for seven figure skating training sessions at Pacific Coliseum, where competitions in ice dance, single and pairs figure skating will be held during the Games. Tickets cost $30 each plus fees and go on sale Friday, December 11 at 10:00 am (Pacific Time) online ONLY at www.vancouver2010.com and by phone at 1.800.TICKETS (1.800.842.5387) or TDD/TTY 604.629.7140. 

After the first day of sale, figure skating training session tickets will also be sold subject to availability at Main Ticket Centres in downtown Vancouver at Robson Square and in Whistler near Whistler Medals Plaza. 

Paralympic Closing Ceremony

The Closing Ceremony of the Vancouver 2010 Paralympic Winter Games will be an intimate open air event at the brand-new Whistler Medals Plaza in the heart of the resort. The evening will include breath-taking entertainment and the parade of Paralympians from around the world as they march into the amphitheatre. The night will mark the official end of the 2010 Winter Games.

Ceremony tickets will cost $60 each plus fees and go on sale Friday, December 11 at 10:00 am (Pacific Time) at www.vancouver2010.com, VANOC’s two Main Ticket Centre locations, as well as by phone at 1.800.TICKETS (1.800.842.5387) or TDD/TTY 604.629.7140.

Helpful tips:

  • VANOC reminds customers that Visa is the only payment card accepted online or by phone.

    Visa cards and cash are accepted at the Main Ticket Centres. 

  • Plan ahead for purchases and ensure you have sufficient credit available in your account as purchases will be charged immediately.
  • Be wary of tickets offered for sale through unofficial channels. The only official sources for Canadians to buy tickets to the 2010 Winter Games are www.vancouver2010.com (in partnership with VANOC’s official ticketing services supplier tickets.com) and official 2010 Winter Games hospitality partners Jet Set Sports and CoSport.
  • Be vigilant about individuals or companies offering “guaranteed” tickets for sale. For most people, even a “money-back” guarantee is little consolation for the disappointment, inconvenience and embarrassment they will experience if they discover at the gate that their ticket is invalid.

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. Visit www.vancouver2010.com.

Press Contact
If you are a member of the media, please contact mediarelations@vancouver2010.com

For all other inquiries, please contact info@vancouver2010.com


Concord Pacific named Official Supplier of 2010 Winter Games – News Releases : Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympics and Paralympics

Published on December 23, 2009 in Olympics. 0 Comments Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , .

Vancouver, BC? With 66 days to go until Canada’s Games begin, Concord Pacific Developments, Inc. (Concord Pacific), and the Vancouver Organizing Committee for the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games (VANOC) announced today the Vancouver, BC-based company has been named an Official Supplier for the upcoming Games. 

Under the agreement, Concord Pacific will make a financial investment in the Games as well as provide land for VANOC’s use in preparation for and during the Games as part of a value-in-kind agreement. This includes access to 4.8-hectares of land on north False Creek adjacent to Concord Place Exposition and Activity Zone. The land will be used as staging areas for a number of critical back-of-house activities, including: security, broadcast, workforce, and ceremonies. In return, Concord Pacific will have rights to market and promote within the real estate development product and service category for the 2010 Winter Games and rights to associate with the Canadian Olympic Teams competing at the Vancouver 2010 Olympic Winter Games and the London 2012 Olympic Games. The company also made a significant monetary contribution to the Canadian Paralympic Committee (CPC) earlier this year. 

“As Canada’s leading developer of master planned communities, we at Concord Pacific believe we have a commitment to build the fabric of communities that goes far beyond contributing amenities and building homes,” explained company president Terry Hui. “Our company has been a proud sponsor of citywide community events and charities for over 20 years in Vancouver and a supporter of the 2010 Winter Games since the initial bid. 

“The excitement ramping up in the final days before the world’s best come here to compete at venues all around us is contagious,” he continued. “We’re ecstatic about stepping up even further to become an Official Supplier of the 2010 Winter Games.”

The last phase of Concord Pacific Place, located along the False Creek in downtown Vancouver, is the development site that connects the Olympic and Paralympic Village Vancouver to Canada Hockey Place and BC Place. 

“We’re excited to officially welcome Concord Pacific into our sponsorship family for the 2010 Winter Games,” said John Furlong, VANOC’s CEO. “Staging the Games in a city surrounded by the ocean and the mountains provides a beautiful backdrop but unique space challenges. However, through the commitments of partners like Concord Pacific, we’ve been able to access the areas we need to operate successfully in constrained spaces and we’re grateful for their support as we enter the final planning stages towards delivering great Games in 2010.” 

About Concord Pacific and Concord Adex
Concord Pacific is a proud community supporter of annual citywide events and a contributor to various charities year after year. Concord is a developer of multi-phased, master planned residential neighbourhoods that are strategically designed to enhance the lifestyles of its residents. The company’s legacy as a master-planned community developer began with Concord Pacific Place on the former Expo `86 grounds on Vancouver’s False Creek waterfront. This project has steadily transformed the city’s skyline and redefined urban living. To date, Concord Pacific Place includes more than 10,000 homes, intermixed with parks, schools and a variety of retail and commercial services. The final phase of the community will transform the northeastern shore of False Creek into a truly sustainable community with innovative architecture and engaging public spaces of world-class scale and use. 

Concord Pacific is also creating new communities across Canada such as Concord Adex Developments in Ontario including CityPlace in Toronto and Concord Park Place north of Toronto; Porteau Cove just north of West Vancouver; Concord Gateway in Richmond and Park Place Community in Central City, Surrey BC. For more information, visit www.concordpacific.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 2010 Paralympic Winter Games from March 12 to 21, 2010. Visit www.vancouver2010.com.

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, Acer, Atos Origin, General Electric, McDonalds, Omega, Panasonic, Samsung and Visa.  VANOC’s National Partners are Bell Canada, Hudson’s Bay Company, RBC Financial Group, General Motors of Canada, Petro-Canada, and RONA. 

VANOC’s Official Supporters include Air Canada, BC Hydro, Bombardier, the British Columbia Lottery Corporation, Canadian Pacific, Insurance Corporation of British Columbia (ICBC), Jet Set Sports, Ricoh Canada, Royal Canadian Mint and Teck Resources. 

VANOC’s Official Suppliers are 3M, Acklands-Grainger, Aggreko, ALDA Pharmaceuticals Corp., Aquilini Investment Group, Birks, Britco, Canada Post, Canada’s Olympic Broadcast Media Consortium, Canwest Publishing, COLD-FX, Concord Pacific, Deloitte, Dow Canada, EPCOR, Garrett Metal Detectors, General Mills, Hain Celestial Canada, Haworth Canada, Jackson Triggs, Karl’s Global Events Inc,. La Presse, Millennium Development Corp., Molson, Nike Canada Corp., Nortel, Offsetters, Port Metro Vancouver, Purolator Courier Ltd., Saputo, Sleep Country Canada, Sun Microsystems of Canada, The Globe and Mail, Tickets.com, TransCanada, Vancouver Airport Authority, Weston Bakeries, Workopolis and Wrigley Canada.

Press Contact
If you are a member of the media, please contact mediarelations@vancouver2010.com

For all other inquiries, please contact info@vancouver2010.com


Update: Four Host First Nations to bring Olympic Flame for a ceremonial visit to Kahnawà:ke today – News Releases : Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympics and Paralympics

Published on December 23, 2009 in Olympics. 0 Comments Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , .

(Montreal, Quebec) –The Four Host First Nations and the Vancouver 2010 Olympic Torch Relay confirm that the Olympic Flame will visit Kahnawà:ke today, December 8, 2009, at approximately 12:00 noon to share the message of peace, brotherhood and friendship with members of the Kahnawà:ke community.
Following meetings with all involved parties it was decided that a special ceremonial visit of the Olympic Flame to Kahnawà:ke today will mark Day 40 of the Olympic Torch Relay. The visit today will be facilitated solely by the Four Host First Nations, on whose traditional lands the Vancouver 2010 Olympic Winter Games will take place. The Vancouver 2010 Olympic Torch Relay, which includes the RCMP, will not accompany the Olympic Flame to the Kahnawa’:ke community as a faction of the community did not welcome the full Relay team.
“We are delighted that the residents of Kahnawà:ke First Nation will be able to join together and celebrate the Olympic ideals,” said Tewanee Joseph, Chief Executive Officer of the Four Host First Nations. “The Olympic Flame’s cross-country journey would not be complete without a visit to this important First Nations community.”
Olympic medalist and Kahnawà:ke resident, Alwyn Morris, will bring the Olympic Flame to the community. Mr. Morris is a highly-respected community member and remarkable individual who has brought great prominence to First Nations people and sport.
“We have worked in close collaboration with our many partners to plan and deliver a positive experience that respects the wishes of the Kahnawà:ke community. As such, we had several discussions to evaluate options to ensure an enjoyable and memorable experience for all involved,” said Jim Richards, Olympic Torch Relay Director. “We look forward to sharing the Olympic Flame today with the residents of Kahnawà:ke, and thank all involved for their operational support.”

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. Visit www.vancouver2010.com.

Press Contact
If you are a member of the media, please contact mediarelations@vancouver2010.com

For all other inquiries, please contact info@vancouver2010.com