Vancouver 2010 takes valuable first-hand observations on Games experience and planning from Beijing 2008 Olympic Games

Aug 21, 2008

VANOC congratulates Beijing 2008 organizers for unforgettable Games

Beijing, China – As the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games move into the final three days, the Vancouver Organizing Committee for the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games (VANOC) today provided a summary of its team’s key observations and learnings from the Games and a look ahead to the major Vancouver 2010 milestones in the coming months.

“Sport was the big winner here in Beijing and our lasting impressions of the Olympic Games will be of precision, spectacular fields of play and arenas that allowed athletes to perform at their very best. Additionally, we will never forget the immense pride of Chinese citizens in opening up their country with warmth and hosting the world. In its bid, Beijing committed to inspiring a nation of 400 million children — and they’ve clearly done so given the spectacular performance of their Olympic team,” said John Furlong, VANOC Chief Executive Officer. “Congratulations to the International Olympic Committee, the Beijing 2008 Games Organizing Committee and the people of China on an unprecedented show of sport and culture.”

Furlong added, “Congratulations also to our amazing Canadian athletes, and to our friends at the national sport organizations and the Canadian Olympic Committee, who have demonstrated again how the power of sport can inspire a nation, connecting each province and territory together in the spirit of the Games.”

“Beijing 2008 has been a highly valuable learning experience for our team, especially in the areas of ticketing and the spectator experience. Members of VANOC’s team have been observing and working in areas such as press operations, broadcast, villages, sponsor hospitality and showcasing, ticketing, medical services and volunteers. Everyone will come home with an enhanced perspective on how to make the 2010 Winter Games the best possible experience,” concluded Furlong.

Furlong also reported that the Beijing 2008 Games have fostered additional interest in Vancouver 2010. During the Beijing Games period, visits to vancouver2010.com have increased fivefold, while daily applications from volunteers eager to be part of the 2010 experience have tripled.

The following is a summary of observations/learnings in key areas:

1) Ticketing: All tickets may be sold, but ensuring the venues are full during many competitions remains a challenge for Games Organizers. Confirmation: VANOC recognizes this challenge and is therefore continuing to work on programs intended to make sure that the maximum amount of tickets are in the hands of people who can use them. This includes an authorized resale and exchange system for tickets close to event times. It will also include: the strategic allocation of high-demand tickets within the Olympic Family allotment to ensure they will be used; ensuring the maximum number of tickets are sold to the general public, where usage rates are highest; and minimizing the number of multiple-session tickets. VANOC is also making a concerted effort to raise public awareness about the risk of buying tickets from any channels other than vancouver2010.com and Jet Set Sports, the official sources for Vancouver 2010 tickets.

2) Spectator experience: Creating a consistently positive spectator experience at all venues results in lifelong memories for fans and an optimum atmosphere for athletes. Confirmation: VANOC will continue to develop plans to offer spectators a smooth and efficient entry and exit from all venues, and a consistently rich spectator experience that includes sport education, video, music, mascots, food and beverages, souvenirs and elements that are unique to the history and culture of each sport.

3) Volunteers: Volunteers are the face and personality of an Organizing Committee, and, by extension, the Host Region and Host Country. Confirmation: VANOC will continue to implement a comprehensive volunteer recruitment and training program, including plans to have a senior volunteer at each major touch point to troubleshoot and ensure extraordinary circumstances are dealt with quickly and efficiently.

4) Ceremonies: The Beijing 2008 Olympic Games Opening Ceremony was a spectacular showcase of culture and sport that inspired intense national pride while employing the latest in special event technology. Confirmation: Canada will have an equally compelling opportunity to tell its Opening Ceremony story to the world and will also use the best practices in major event staging to ensure well-orchestrated and emotionally charged Opening and Closing Ceremonies. VANOC will offer nightly Victory Ceremonies at BC Place which will include a celebration of the medal-winning athletes for the day and a concert by world-class musical artists.

5) Athlete Villages: The Athletes’ Village in Beijing was well-equipped to meet the needs of athletes and team officials, including internet connectivity; food service; team space requirements; and a comfortable, secure environment to train, prepare, rest, relax and meet fellow athletes. Even the small details were a priority, for example, original welcome posters, crafted by children, in each room. Confirmation: The success of Beijing’s Village confirmed VANOC’s plans for its own Athletes’ Villages in Vancouver and Whistler, which will include world-class amenities that will allow athletes to feel “at home” in the time they’re away from competition venues. Vancouver 2010 villages are located close to Games venues and will have optimum internet connectivity, adequate space, recreational facilities and healthy and varied food choices.

6) Media facilities: The Main Press Center (MPC) and International Broadcast Center (IBC) in Beijing offered an excellent setup to meet the needs of accredited media, including seamless security screening systems. Confirmation: The Main Media Centre in Vancouver will provide the added convenience of being conveniently located close to major downtown hotels, sport venues and the spectacular Pacific Ocean waterfront. VANOC will also review the successful security screening system employed by the Beijing Organizing Committee between the media’s accommodation and key venues to see if it can be adapted for Vancouver 2010.

7) Weather: Rain caused delays and postponements at a number of events. The Beijing Organizing Committee was able to reschedule and stage these events within the planned Games schedule. Confirmation: VANOC recently released its Games schedule by time, which was specifically designed to account for the possibility of winter weather delays or postponements and to accommodate this within the Games period.

8) Sponsor profile and showcasing: The Beijing Games offered an exceptional opportunity for major sponsors to use imaginative ways to profile their support, including pavilions at the Olympic Green and partnership in hospitality centres hosted by National Olympic Committees (NOCs). Although early attendance was low, the Beijing Organizing Committee quickly made adjustments to ensure the sponsor showcase area at the Olympic Green became a popular destination. Confirmation: VANOC’s sponsor showcase area will be open to the general public; will be offered free of charge without the requirement of a ticket; and will be conveniently located close to major venues and live sites.

9) Knowledge/experience transfer: A number of key staff from VANOC and its partners were seconded by the Beijing Organizing Committee and Jet Set Sports to work for the Games and be embedded in the Games environment. They are gaining expertise and learning about the Games first hand. Front-of-the-line expertise is being gathered in areas such as press operations, protocol, corporate hospitality, broadcast, villages, sponsor hospitality and showcasing, ticketing, medical services and volunteers. Confirmation: Knowledge transfer and practical work experience opportunities between Organizing Committees at a Games is extremely valuable. VANOC will look to implement similar initiatives to engage personnel from Organizing Committees for future Games.

10) Look of the Games: The Beijing Organizing Committee executed a spectacular Look-of-the-Games program with banners, flags and lighting in addition to successfully creating a colourful and impressive city-wide atmosphere of celebration. Competition venues were particularly well-decorated with the Look of the Games offering a real sense of Olympic celebration. Confirmation: VANOC will release its Look of the Games designs, including sport pictograms, on September 10, and is currently confirming with its partners how Look elements can most effectively create the spirit of celebration in 2010.

Furlong concluded with a general update on Games planning, highlighting key milestones scheduled through the one-year countdown period to Vancouver 2010, including:

• Look of the Games and sport pictograms launch (September 2008)
• Launch of completely re-designed vancouver2010.com website which includes new content. vancouver2010.com is the Official Website of the Vancouver 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games (September 2008)
• Launch of thematic advertising campaign to introduce the Vancouver 2010 Games-time motto (September 2008)
• Olympic tickets on sale and launch of ticketing advertising campaign (October 3, 2008)

• Staging of 18 Sport Events, beginning with Short Track Speed Skating (October 24–26, 2008)

  • Calendar: 2008-2009 Sport Events Calendar
•  Hosting the World Press Briefing (November 18–21, 2008)
•  Torch Relay National Route Announcement (fall/winter 2008)
• Torchbearer programs launched by Coca-Cola and RBC (late 2008)
• Official opening of the Vancouver Olympic/Paralympic Centre (venue for curling and wheelchair curling) (fall/winter 2008)
• Official opening of the Richmond Oval (speed skating venue) (December 2008)
• Details of transportation plans (early 2009)
• Unveiling of Olympic Torch design and uniform (early 2009)
• One-Year Olympic Countdown (February 2009)
• Launch of Phase 2 ticket sales (February 2009)
• One-Year Paralympic Countdown (March 2009)

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.

ContactVANOC Communications
mediarelations@vancouver2010.com