VANOC to present project update to International Olympic Committee next week in Guatemala City

Almost four years after winning the bid to host the 2010 Winter Games, the Vancouver Organizing Committee for the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games (VANOC) will provide two updates next week to the International Olympic Committee (IOC) at the IOC session where the host city for the 2014 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games will be elected.

VANOC’s first presentation will be to the IOC’s Executive Board on July 2, 2007 and will include a high level overview of its ticketing and accommodation planning as well as a general update. Then on July 5th VANOC will provide a full project update to a meeting of the IOC Session. The full project update will be posted at vancouver2010.com following the presentation.

VANOC’s project update will take place during the 119th IOC Session in Guatemala City, the highlight of which will be the vote on the Host City for the Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games in 2014. Sochi (Russia), Salzburg (Austria) and PyeongChang (Republic of Korea) were accepted by the IOC’s Executive Board in June 2006 as Candidate Cities for the 2014 Winter Games.

“With only a few short days remaining before the world welcomes the Host City for the 2014 Winter Games, we are pleased to be presenting a highly positive report to the Olympic community. Our report outlines encouraging progress, particularly on venue construction, and looks ahead to the major milestones on our horizon as we pass the four-year anniversary of being awarded the Games in Prague,” said John Furlong, VANOC Chief Executive Officer.

“As the Candidate Cities make their final preparations, we remember our own drive to the finish line in 2003 and the tireless passion that has carried them this far. We look forward to contributing to the IOC’s transfer of knowledge program to support the winner in staging great Games in 2014."

VANOC’s delegation to Guatemala City will include John Furlong, Dave Cobb, executive vice-president, revenue, marketing and communications and Michelle Penney, manager, Olympic and Paralympic Family services.

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
mediarelations@vancouver2010.com