VANOC concludes successful IOC meetings: VANOC accepts IOC recommendation of ski cross to 2010 Winter Games sport program and secures additional accommodation in Whistler

The Vancouver Organizing Committee for the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Games (VANOC) reported today on the successful completion of the International Olympic Committee’s (IOC) 4th Coordination Commission visit to Vancouver. The three-day visit provided VANOC and its partners with the opportunity to report on its substantial planning progress since the IOC Coordination Commission’s last visit in June 2006.

At the close of the session, VANOC Chief Executive Officer John Furlong presented all IOC members with a signed set of new Aboriginal sport posters unveiled earlier this week, underlining the importance of sharing the Games with the whole country.

“We are always stronger at the end of these sessions than we were at the beginning,” said Furlong. “We’re focused on solutions and working together. As we said at the beginning, we need their help, their advice and their input. Ultimately we will succeed together.”

As part of the reported progress, VANOC announced today that the 2010 Sport program will be the first to feature the exciting new event of ski cross. The highly popular event was officially accepted by VANOC during the IOC’s Coordination Commission visit to Vancouver this week. Also accepted were a format change to skeleton that will see athletes increase their competition runs from two to four, and a minor format change to speed skating pursuit that will be related to the in-Games qualifying procedure.

“Ski cross is definitely an exciting addition to the 2010 sport program,” said Cathy Priestner Allinger, VANOC Executive vice president sport. “It is a dynamic and emerging event that is guaranteed to capture the energy and imagination of spectators around the world in 2010.”

“We are thrilled that ski cross is being included in the 2010 Games” said Peter Judge, CEO of the Canadian Freestyle Ski Association. “This is a great opportunity for Canadian skiers and we have a number of athletes who are aiming for the 2010 podium. It is such a great spectator sport and I know it is going to appeal to everyone.”

VANOC also provided a positive accommodation update to the IOC which outlined a new commitment from Whistler property managers to meet the needs of the world’s media. Over 80 per cent of the projected media accommodation has been secured and tentative commitments are in place for many of the remaining rooms.

“The progress that has been made is a clear demonstration of how the Whistler community is rallying behind the Games,” said Terry Wright, Executive vice president, service operations and ceremonies. “We have secured the vast majority of the rooms we need and are well on our way to meeting and exceeding our accommodation goal. It has been highly encouraging to participate in the collaboration that has taken place between VANOC and the Whistler Tourism sector, particularly the resort's leading property managers.”

The three-day visit included meetings between VANOC and the IOC that covered many aspects of Games preparations, including Paralympic Games working groups, Games-time planning, sport facilities, venue construction updates, marketing, communications and technology. In addition to the meetings, IOC members visited select sites in Vancouver including the Athletes Village, the Main Media Centre and the Vancouver 2010 Omega countdown clock.

VANOC will be providing additional updates on Games planning progress in the upcoming quarterly report, scheduled for the middle of March.

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.

Contact

VANOC Communications
mediarelations@vancouver2010.com