Testing successfully completed at figure skating sport event

International Skating Union gives high praise to event organizers 2010 hopefuls compete in one of the most popular events at an Olympic Games. The week-long event

VANCOUVER, BC– Local figure skating enthusiasts and media from around the world were treated to four days of elite competition this past week at Pacific Coliseum during the ISU Four Continents Figure Skating Championships. The sport event, which ran from February 2 to 7, provided the Vancouver Organizing Committee for the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games (VANOC) an opportunity to successfully conclude its operational testing in key function areas.

“The success of this week’s ISU Four Continents Figure Skating Championships heralds a thrilling Olympic event in this venue just twelve months from now,” said David Dore, ISU vice president. “This was a week of top competition with exceptional skating, crowd enthusiasm and impeccable organization. We are also pleased with the level of preparations for the Games which are well advanced and appear to be on schedule.”

The singles, pairs and ice dance competitions were part of the International Skating Union’s (ISU)

2008–09 season and featured numerous Vancouver 2010 Olympic medal hopefuls. Over 100 athletes from 15 countries such as Australia, Uzbekistan, China, Mexico, South Africa, the United States and Canada competed in the event.

“Skating here the past few days has been great. It’s one last chance to compete here with the international skaters, use the same change rooms, just get familiar with the venue,” said Canadian figure skater Joannie Rochette, “I’m glad to be here and have this experience before next year.”

Men’s gold medalist Patrick Chan echoed those statements.

“I took the time to walk around the whole building,” said Chan. “The change rooms are comfortable and I know where everything is. I’ll be prepared when the Olympics hit next year.”

“This facility is perfect for an Olympics,” said U.S. figure skater Evan Lysacek. “The ice has been great, the volunteers have been more than accommodating and I’m looking forward to coming back next year for 2010.”

VANOC’s testing at the figure skating sport event focused primarily on two key function areas: field of play and overall venue operations. Details on results of the testing in these areas follow:

Field of Play

The event was held on non-international-sized ice, also called NHL-sized ice, as approved by the ISU. International-sized ice will be used at Games time; however, ice conditions can be accurately tested on both configurations. The ice meister was again given the opportunity to test ice conditions that will be shared by both figure skating and short track speed skating in 2010. This was also the second time Olympia ice resurface machines were used by the ice-making team.

“This competition was a realistic opportunity for the world’s best to skate on the exact ice that will be replicated at Games time,” said Kameron Kiland, ice meister for figure skating and short track speed skating. “This ice was specific to this venue and can be altered from figure skating to short track with great results. We are ready for 2010.”

Ice and Judges’ Platform

The athlete on-ice area, field-of-play access points and kiss-and-cry location were tested to ensure a smooth flow of traffic that will include athletes, coaches, team officials and broadcasters at Games time.

The judging platform was in its Games-time layout and nine judges sat on the platform, along with five individuals on the technical panel. The short track speed skating starter’s platform was used for the flower retrievers to duplicate the set-up and one of the change-over items at Games time.

Panasonic Sound System

The Panasonic sound system was tested to replicate Games-time levels. One of the most important requirements of the system design was to deliver to athletes a clear sound evenly distributed over the ice surface. The precise high-frequency dispersion control of the Panasonic LA3 line array system allowed for effective separation between the field of play and spectator systems.

Timing and Scoring

Timing and Scoring successfully tested several Olympic results systems, including printed results distribution and scoreboards in a live setting for the first time. Many Games-time volunteers were also trained on the correct usage of Olympic results technology.

Venue Operations

Workforce

Approximately 448 volunteers and workforce (340 volunteers, 108 paid staff) participated at the sport event. Additionally, 606 contractors (ice meisters, lighting and technology workers, food and beverage, existing venue staff) were employed, along with 62 participants such as flower retrievers and ice patchers.

A number of workforce and volunteer systems were tested at the event including recruitment process, assigning volunteers into roles and scheduling.

“This has been an amazing opportunity for me, both personally and professionally,” said volunteer Karin Basaraba, who assisted athletes in the media mix zone. “As a former figure skater, it’s been incredible to be able to watch some of the best skaters in the world compete here in Vancouver.”

Accreditation

Working in conjunction with Skate Canada, and under the approval of the ISU, accreditation for the sport event was conducted at a Games-time level. The participant data was captured and processed, and the accreditation cards were issued using the accreditation systems for the Vancouver 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games. Approximately 2,200 people were accredited for the event.

Press Operations

Press Operations ran five media areas and serviced more than 220 members of the written, broadcast and photographic press. The Venue Media Centre included space for 124 journalists and photographers, and a press conference room that accommodated 100. Inside the arena bowl were two press tribunes accommodating 100 media members and 105 photographer positions, including 45 at ice level.

Nightly press conferences featuring top finishers were also held drawing on language support from interpreters.

Olympic News Service (ONS)

ONS operated in a similar manner to a wire service and tested a range of staffing positions among a venue-based, combined editorial, reporting and translation team. A specialist writer was employed to ensure accredited media received event previews and reviews, media communications, flash quotes and press conference highlights. All materials were produced in both official languages. Fourteen volunteers were also introduced to, and trained in, news service operations.

Spectators

Due to overwhelming ticket sales for Friday’s ladies’ free skating finals, the event team was able to quickly adjust and open sections of the upper bowl seating area. Attendance for Friday night’s program was the largest of the competition with close to 10,000 spectators. In total, over 24,000 people attended the sport event.

Medical Services

The Medical Services team was comprised of two venue medical officers, 12 therapists and six physicians. Athletes, team officials, sport officials and accredited workforce were supported with field-of-play emergency response/mobile and athlete medical station services at the Pacific Coliseum and Burnaby 8 Rinks facilities, which served as the training venue for the competition.

The electronic medical encounter system — a database application of athlete medical records — was also successfully tested.

Anti-Doping

Working in cooperation with the ISU, the VANOC Anti-Doping team successfully completed 20 in-competition urine tests during the Four Continents Figure Skating Championships. Male and female athletes in all disciplines were selected for doping control based on ISU selection criteria in accordance with the ISU anti-doping rules. A total of 31 Games-time anti-doping volunteers participated in the event as a mandatory training component of their volunteer journey towards 2010.

The VANOC anti-doping athlete outreach booth was featured at the athlete’s hotel, providing World Anti-Doping Agency and ISU anti-doping educational resources and information regarding the Vancouver 2010 Anti-Doping Program.

The Vancouver 2010 Integrated Security Unit was also on-site testing vehicle screening (flow rates, size of space needed, internal layout of the area needed) as well as pedestrian screening (space needed, flow rates, and magnetometer and X-ray placement at Games time). Participation from spectators was voluntary.

For more information on the remaining sport events taking place from February to September 2009, including how to purchase tickets, visit www.vancouver2010.com. Remaining sport events include:

FIS Snowboard World Cup

Date: February 12–15, 2009

Location: Cypress Mountain, West Vancouver

FIL Luge World Cup

Date: February 16–21, 2009

Location: The Whistler Sliding Centre, Whistler

WCF World Wheelchair Curling Championship

Date: February 21–28, 2009

Location: Vancouver Paralympic Centre (Hillcrest/Nat Bailey Stadium Park), Vancouver

Hockey Canada Cup — Sledge Hockey

Date: February 24–March 1, 2009

Location: UBC Thunderbird Arena, Vancouver

IPC Cross-Country Skiing and Biathlon World Cup Final

Date: March 4–7, 2009

Location: Whistler Paralympic Park, Whistler

World Junior Curling Championships

Date: March 5–15, 2009

Location: Vancouver Olympic Centre (Hillcrest/Nat Bailey Stadium Park), Vancouver

IPC Alpine Skiing World Cup Finals

Date: March 9–14, 2009

Location: Whistler Creekside, Whistler

IBU Biathlon World Cup

Date: March 11–15, 2009

Location: Whistler Olympic Park

ISU World Single Distances Speed Skating Championships

Date: March 12–15, 2009

Location: Richmond Olympic Oval, Richmond

Hockey Canada Cup — Women’s Hockey

Date: August 31–September 6, 2009

Location: UBC Thunderbird Arena and Canada Hockey Place, 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 2010 Paralympic Winter Games from March 12 to 21, 2010. Visit www.vancouver2010.com.

Contact
VANOC Communications
mediarelations@vancouver2010.com