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Vancouver, It has been five years since the Canadian Olympic Committee selected Vancouver as a candidate to prepare a bid for the 2010 Winter Games.
The dream of bringing the Winter Games to Vancouver and Whistler dates back to the early development of the Whistler resort in the 1960s. In 1970, Vancouver/Whistler was a finalist to host the 1976 Winter Games. Again in the mid 1970s, Whistler was considered as a potential host of the 1980 Winter Games.
On December 1, 1998, the Canadian Olympic Committee chose Vancouver to present Canada's Bid for the 2010 Winter Games. Over a five-year period, Vancouver 2010 developed a games delivery plan with a vision of creating sustainable legacies for athletes, sport development, host communities and the Olympic movement.
On July 2, 2003, members of the International Olympic Committee awarded the 2010 Winter Games to Vancouver.
Vancouver 2010 was incorporated as the Vancouver Organizing Committee for the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Games on September 20, 2003 as a not for profit corporation without share capital under the Canada Corporations Act. The Committee's purpose is to "support and promote the development of sport in Canada by planning, organizing, financing and staging the XXI Olympic Winter Games and X Paralympic Games in 2010."
The 2010 Sea to Sky Games: Quick Facts and Estimated Numbers
Olympic Winter Games Dates: Feb. 12 - 28, 2010
Paralympic Winter Games Dates: Mar. 12 - 21, 2010
Number of Olympic athletes and officials: 5,000
Number of Paralympic athletes and officials: 1,700
Countries participating in Olympic Winter Games: 80+
Countries participating in Paralympic Winter Games: 40+
2010 Games events tickets available: 1.8 million
Accredited media: 10,000
Volunteers: 25,000
Visitors: 250,000
2010 Games Operating Budget: $1.3 billion*
*Revenues come from IOC television broadcasting rights, international and domestic sponsorships, ticket sales, merchandising and licensing programs
Vancouver Sports and Events: Freestyle Skiing, Snowboarding. All the Ice Sports: Hockey, Figure Skating, Curling, Speed Skating, Short Track Speed Skating, Olympic Opening and Closing Ceremonies, nightly medals presentations and cultural festival, and Opening Ceremonies for the Paralympic Games.
Whistler Sports and Events: Alpine Skiing (speed and technical events), Nordic Sports (Cross Country Skiing, Ski Jumping, Nordic Combined and Biathlon), Sliding Sports (Bobsleigh, Luge and Skeleton), all Paralympic Sports (Alpine Skiing, Biathlon, Cross Country Skiing, Sledge Hockey, Wheelchair Curling), Olympic and Paralympic medals presentations and cultural activities, and Paralympic Games Closing Ceremonies.
Tourism Whistler is a member-based marketing and sales organization, representing Whistler and operating the Whistler Conference Centre, and the Whistler Golf Club. For more information visit the Web site at www.mywhistler.com.
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Media contacts:
Linda Flegel - Manager, Media Relations 2010
Tourism Whistler
Telephone: 604-935-3356
E-mail: lflegel@tourismwhistler.com
Web site: www.mywhistler.com
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