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Solid progress noted as VANOC board of directors reviews activities and operations during second meeting of 2009
Mar 18, 2009
Vancouver, BC – The board of directors for the Vancouver Organizing Committee for the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games (VANOC) met today in Vancouver for its second meeting of 2009. The meeting included a management update and look ahead to the coming months from Chief Executive Officer John Furlong, as well as updates and discussions on standing agenda items.
“These last few months have been an extraordinarily busy time for the Organizing Committee. The VANOC board of directors congratulates the team on the successful completion of some of the biggest milestones leading up to the Games, including the successful hosting of sport events and the one-year countdowns to the Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games,” said Jack Poole, chairman of the board. “With less than a year to go, each day brings increased pressure. And while this uncertain global economic environment presents challenges for everyone, the board is confident VANOC and its partners are well positioned to deliver great Games.”
In the first three months of 2009 alone, VANOC has conducted operational testing at 16 sport events for Olympic and Paralympic athletes, with a total of approximately 60,000 spectators in attendance. The events, which included all sport disciplines, demonstrated solid teamwork and problem solving by VANOC’s staff and volunteer workforce. The international sport federations have been pleased with venue preparations, resulting in few adjustments required for field of play at Games time. The final sport event, the Hockey Canada Cup – Women’s Hockey, will be held at UBC Thunderbird Arena and Canada Hockey Place from August 31 to September 6, 2009.
The knowledge gained throughout the winter will be applied to Games-time planning. For example, spectator interest at events far exceeded expectations and confirmed the need for an outstanding spectator experience program from the moment they arrive at a venue. With more than 5,000 volunteers engaged throughout the last few months, VANOC learned early communication is critical to set the stage for the demanding, yet rewarding work environment. In addition, the weather forecasting and analysis conducted in collaboration with Environment Canada over the last four years resulted in the ability to accurately predict weather conditions and plan accordingly.
“Hosting 16 international sport events this fall and winter moved our organization from planning to on-the-ground operations. And with the events and one-year countdowns behind us, our operations are now in full swing and undergoing constant refinement as we prepare to host the world’s best athletes,” said John Furlong, VANOC CEO.
In addition, the Vancouver 2010 Olympic Winter Games Competition Schedule has been revised and now includes the tournament schedule for both the women’s and men’s hockey teams. The schedule is available at www.vancouver2010.com.
Background
The board also received the following updates:
Report of the Finance Committee: The operation guidelines for the finance committee were amended to reduce the notice time for meetings from 48 hours to 24. The board approved a recommendation by the committee to draw $2 million from the venue central contingency fund to cover staffing costs for the venue construction team. This brings the balance remaining in the venue contingency from $11.6 million to $9.6 million. A number of contracts were also approved in principle and management was delegated authority to finalize the details of such contracts. VANOC will disclose information once the contracts are finalized.
Report of the Audit Committee: The board received a report of the audit committee meeting including the approval of the financial statements and management discussion and analysis (MD&A) for the second quarter, ending January 31. The financial statements and MD&A will be released to the public later this month and will be available at www.vancouver2010.com at that time.
Sponsorship: To date, VANOC has signed $751.5 million in sponsorship revenue, achieving 98 per cent of its revenue target.
Contributing Province/Territory Program: Prince Edward Island joined the program in February. VANOC is continuing negotiations and discussions with provinces that have yet to sign on through this program and expects to announce them in the near future.
Venue Construction: The sport venue program was officially completed on time and within its budget of $580 million with the February 19 opening of the Vancouver Olympic/Paralympic Centre, the venue for curling and wheelchair curling events. The high-performance centre at the Whistler Athletes’ Centre is also substantially complete.
The next VANOC board meeting will be held on May 21, 2009.
VANOC Board of Directors Background
The VANOC board of directors is made up of 20 members nominated by: the Canadian Olympic Committee (seven); the Government of Canada (three); the Province of British Columbia (three); the City of Vancouver (two); the Resort Municipality of Whistler (two); the Canadian Paralympic Committee (one); a joint appointment by the Band Councils of the Lil'wat and Squamish Nations (one); and one member nominated by the other 19 members.
The board is scheduled to meet six times per year, and more often at the call of the chair as required. The meetings are generally held at the VANOC offices in Vancouver, although they are occasionally hosted by our Games partners in other locations. The board’s responsibility is to oversee the conduct of the business of VANOC as it works toward achieving its Mission: to touch the soul of the nation and inspire the world by creating and delivering an extraordinary Olympic and Paralympic experience with lasting legacies.
As part of its commitment to public transparency and accountability, the VANOC board of directors has made today’s agenda, discussion topics and decisions available to the public on www.vancouver2010.com, subject to conditions of confidentiality related to personal information and/or competitively sensitive or privileged information. VANOC is also committed to hosting media briefings following each board meeting with the board chairman, the CEO and other director(s) or members of the VANOC senior management team to elaborate further on matters
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.
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Aboriginal People across Canada Invited to Get Involved in the 2010 Olympic Torch Relay
By Pam Boyde
March 18, 2009
I think it’s the first time ever that Aboriginal people are very much involved in creating this event
The Vancouver Organizing Committee for the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games (VANOC) has committed to achieving unprecedented Aboriginal participation in the planning and hosting of the Games. Part of the Aboriginal program includes a new addition to the 2010 Olympic Torch Relay: over 300 Aboriginal youth, elders and athletes nominated by their communities will have a once-in-a-generation opportunity to be torchbearers, flame attendants or honorary elder fire keepers during the 106-day and 45,000-km journey across Canada.
This new program was designed by VANOC in partnership with the Four Host First Nations and other Aboriginal organizations to ensure First Nations, Inuit and Métis people play an active role in the relay. “I think it’s the first time ever that Aboriginal people are very much involved in creating this event,” said Pam Boyde, VANOC torch relays coordinator for Aboriginal Participation and regional route coordinator for the North. “The fact that we’ll have youth flame attendants with us for the whole relay to help take care of the flame, that’s quite unique. And I don’t know of any other time when the Olympic Flame received over 100 traditional Aboriginal blessings. These blessings will be part of the flame that lights the cauldron at the Opening Ceremonies. That is truly special.”
“The Olympic Flame’s message of hope, peace and respect resonates deeply with Aboriginal peoples in Canada,” said Tewanee Joseph, executive director and chief executive officer of the Four Host First Nations, comprising the Lil’wat, Musqueam, Squamish and Tsleil-Waututh. “As we host a world event we want our young people to feel the pride as they come out to witness the procession of the Olympic Flame as it makes its way across the country.”
Aboriginal torch relay-related opportunities
The Olympic Flame will visit approximately 115 Aboriginal communities across Canada, and Aboriginal people will have the opportunity to be involved in three main areas: torchbearers, flame attendants and honorary elder fire keepers.
In the torchbearer program, you can be nominated for one of the 71 language youth torchbearers positions: 43 First Nations, seven Inuit and 21 Métis. If you’re involved in sport and in your community, you can be nominated as one of 20 hero torchbearers. These represent Aboriginal heroes in sport as well as urban community heroes who are mentors and inspirational figures. The Aboriginal communities on the torch relay route will each select a community torchbearer. Torchbearers must be aged 13 or older to be eligible.
Recognizing the Aboriginal tradition of fire keepers, 12 youth will be selected to participate in the flame attendant program. These individuals will accompany the torch relay to help maintain the lanterns and keep the backup Olympic Flames burning. Once lit, the Olympic Flame cannot be extinguished until the Closing Ceremony of the Olympic Games. Flame attendants will also help escort torchbearers while the flame is carried and passed from torch to torch. Candidates must be aged between 19 and 25 on October 30, 2009.
In the honorary elder fire keeper program, Aboriginal route communities may nominate a respected elder from their community to be their honorary fire keeper who will perform a short welcoming and blessing ceremony of the Olympic Flame when it visits the community. Fire keepers traditionally play an important role in Aboriginal communities: they keep fires burning and teach the spiritual meaning of fires. The role of honorary elder fire keeper on the relay is seen as an honour and as an acknowledgement of the person’s commitment to their nation’s traditions.
Candidates interested in the language youth torchbearer and flame attendant positions are encouraged to contact their Aboriginal organizations (Assembly of First Nations, Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami, Métis National Council/Métis Nation BC, Aboriginal Sport Circle, and National Association of Friendship Centres). Torch relay route communities will be responsible for selecting their fire keepers and community torchbearers. To be considered for Aboriginal torch relay positions, nominees must strive for excellence in whatever they do, be community minded and be positive role models.
“The torch relay is a journey to unite all of Canada,” Pamela Boyde continued.
“We look forward to celebrating the power of the Olympic Flame with Aboriginal communities across the country and showcasing our unique Aboriginal heritage to the world. We hope that future Organizing Committees might be inspired and learn from our experience.”
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Top 10 Moments for Canadian Olympians
By Keith Pelley
March 18, 2009
If you had to choose the most outstanding achievement of a Canadian winter Olympian, what would it be? What is your favourite goosebump-raising, spine-tingling Olympic memory? Is it Cindy Klassen’s five medals at the Torino 2006 Olympic Winter Games? Or maybe it’s a throwback to Grenoble 1968 when Nancy Greene won gold and silver in alpine skiing?
Vote for the Top 10
The Royal Canadian Mint and Canada's Olympic Broadcast Media Consortium are inviting Canadians to celebrate Canada’s history at the Olympic Winter Games by voting on the Top 10 Canadian Olympic Winter Moments of all time. Each vote provides a chance to win one of two trips for two to the Vancouver 2010 Olympic Winter Games.
“Canadian Olympic athletes have the profound ability to make an emotional connection with fans and instill a tremendous amount of national pride,” said Keith Pelley, president of Canada's Olympic Broadcast Media Consortium. “We celebrate and pay tribute to Canada's Olympic heroes who have helped shape the Olympic Winter Games for Canadians nationwide."
Featured on the Canadian quarter
Once the votes are tallied, the top three moments will each be featured on 25-cent coins and will enter into circulation in the fall of 2009. They will then be revealed in a one-hour prime-time broadcast special, in English and French, in September 2009 on CTV, TSN and RDS.
The Top 10 Canadian Olympic Winter Moments finalists, as selected by an independent voting panel are (in chronological order):
» Nancy Greene — gold medal and silver medal, alpine skiing, Grenoble 1968
» Gaétan Boucher — two gold medals and one bronze medal, speed skating, Sarajevo 1984
» Marc Gagnon — gold medal, short track speed skating, Salt Lake 2002
» Catriona Le May Doan — gold medal, speed skating, Salt Lake 2002
» Men's Hockey Team — gold medal, Salt Lake 2002
» Women's Hockey Team — gold medal, Salt Lake 2002
» Jamie Salé and David Pelletier — gold medal, figure skating, Salt Lake 2002
» Beckie Scott — gold medal, cross-country skiing, Salt Lake 2002
» Cindy Klassen — one gold medal, two silver medals and two bronze medals, speed skating, Torino 2006
» Clara Hughes — gold medal, speed skating, Torino 2006
From the 10 finalists above, Canadians can rank their favourites and share their personal memories from each moment. A random draw will take place in early April to determine two winners, each of whom will each receive a trip for two to the Vancouver 2010 Olympic Winter Games.
"We're proud to give Canadians the opportunity to determine the most extraordinary Olympic Winter Games moments to complete our Vancouver 2010 circulation coin program," said Ian E. Bennett, president and Chief Executive
Voting began February 12, 2009 and runs through March 25, 2009 at CTVOlympics.ca.
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One-Year Countdown to the Vancouver 2010 Paralympic Winter Games
By Jean-Yves Le Meur
Mar 13, 2009
The days are ticking down to the Opening Ceremony of the Vancouver 2010 Paralympic Winter Games. In less than 365 days Paralympic Games history will be made and winners will be crowned in (Paralympic) alpine skiing, biathlon, cross-country skiing, ice sledge hockey and wheelchair curling.
As part of today’s celebrations, the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) flag will be raised on Ottawa’s Parliament Hill. In Victoria, the Province of BC is hosting a celebration at the legislature. And in Whistler, cheer on the world’s top adaptive alpine skiers during the IPC Alpine Skiing World Cup Finals (March 9–14, 2009).
Over 1,300 athletes and officials from more than 40 countries will take part in five sports (alpine and cross-country skiing, ice sledge hockey, wheelchair curling and biathlon) during the 10-day international competition for elite athletes with a physical disability at venues in Vancouver and Whistler. The 2010 Games will mark the first time Canada has hosted a Winter Paralympic Games. In 1976, Canada hosted the Paralympic Summer Games in Toronto.
International Paralympic Committee
Sir Philip Craven, president of the International Paralympic Committee (IPC), is celebrating the 365-day milestone today at a number of events organized by the Government of Canada at Parliament Hill in Ottawa, along with John Furlong, CEO of the Vancouver Organizing Committee for the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games (VANOC).
“It is wonderful to be back in Canada, a country that has excelled at past Paralympic Games and embraced its Paralympians as national heroes,” said Sir Philip Craven. “On March 19 in British Columbia, I’ll have the pleasure of personally inviting the National Paralympic Committees of the world to come to Vancouver and Whistler for the 2010 Paralympic Winter Games. The courage and determination of Paralympians are breathtaking and their personal stories of triumph over adversity are inspirational for all of us. While the Games are here, Canadians should try and witness their amazing accomplishments in person by taking in an ice sledge hockey game or an alpine race or any other Paralympic competition.”
Already, thousands of spectators have cheered on Paralympians during pre-2010 sport events this month on the downhill runs, cross-country trails and state-of-the-art biathlon range in Whistler, as well as the brand-new rinks built to host wheelchair curling and ice sledge hockey at the Games in Vancouver.
Approximately 1,800 people watched an exhilarating match between Canada and the United States during the ice sledge hockey sport event at the University of British Columbia’s (UBC) Thunderbird Arena on March 1 alone.
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