Architects give Olympic Park venues the thumbs up
June 30th, 2009
Leading architects have praised the designs of the Olympic Park’s venues and the progress being made on construction, following a tour of the site.
Archive
Archive for June, 2009
Vancouver 2010: En route for perfectly bilingual Games
June 30th, 2009
Like Athens in 2004, Turin in 2006 and Beijing in 2008, Vancouver 2010 will be closely examined by a Grand Témoin de la Francophonie, this time the former President of the Swiss Confederation, Pascal Couchepin, who was appointed by the Secretary General of La Francophonie, Abdou Diouf. The role of the Grand Témoin is to lead activities promoting awareness and observation of the French language, and increasing its use.
Solid experience
At the announcement of this nomination, IOC President Jacques Rogge stated: “We are looking forward to working with Mr Couchepin. We have already had the opportunity of working with him in the framework of his functions within the federal government. His solid international experience and his knowledge of the sports world will certainly be valuable assets in his new role of Grand Témoin de la Francophonie.” Pascal Couchepin is a key figure in the Swiss political landscape. He was President of the Swiss Confederation twice, in 2003 and 2008. Within the Federal Council, he led the Federal Department of Economic Affairs from 1998 to 2002. In this function, he was in charge of the ministries of agriculture, foreign trade, labour and professional education. During this period, he represented Switzerland within the World Trade Organisation (WTO) and served as Governor of the World Bank and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD). Currently Head of the Federal Department of Home Affairs, responsible for questions of social security, health, education, university education, research and culture, he will leave this post in October 2009 to devote himself to his new mission promoting the French language at the Olympic Games.
Olympic attachment to the French language
As President Rogge often stresses, the IOC is deeply attached to the defence of the French language, as it was created in French, by Pierre de Coubertin, the reviver of the Olympic Games, in an era (end of the 19th century) when French was the language of diplomacy. Since April 1915, the IOC headquarters have been in the French-speaking region of Switzerland. We should also recall that, in accordance with Rule 24 of the Olympic Charter, French is an official IOC language, alongside English, and is therefore of fundamental importance for the Olympic Games. Furthermore, if there is a discrepancy between a French text and an English one in the Olympic Charter, or any other IOC document, the French text prevails, in the absence of any written instruction to the contrary.
A satisfactory place in Beijing
Last August in Beijing, the French language had a satisfactory place, thanks to the organisers’ considerable efforts. This was the conclusion of the Grand Témoin for these Games, former French Prime Minister Jean-Pierre Raffarin, in his report on the use of French at the Beijing Olympic Games in 2008. A copy of this report will be officially presented today to President Rogge at a meeting in Lausanne with Pascal Couchepin, who will be accompanied by Pierre de Cocatrix, the Chief of Staff of the Secretary General of La Francophonie. Besides the presentation of the Grand Témoin’s mission in Vancouver, and a discussion on preparations for the Games, the cooperation project between the Organisation Internationale de la Francophonie (OIF) and the Olympic Movement will also be addressed, with the focal points being the first Youth Olympic Games in August 2010 in Singapore, the next edition of the Francophone Games in Beirut, and preparations for the 2013 edition.
Vancouver 2010, devoted to Francophonie
Canada is recognised throughout the entire world for its bilingualism and diversity. The Federal Law of 1969 made French and English the two official languages of the Canadian Federal State. The Organising Committee for the Games in Vancouver (VANOC) has therefore made a strong commitment to ensuring that the 2010 Olympic Winter Games respect the linguistic reality of the host country. The creation of a VANOC advisory panel on the official languages is a perfect illustration of this. A multi-party agreement between VANOC, the federal government and the host cities of the Games was signed, fixing very high standards in the area of bilingualism. To underline the important contribution of the country’s French-speaking communities, VANOC also signed a collaboration agreement with the Canadian Foundation for Cross-Cultural Dialogue and the British Columbia Francophone Federation. Reflecting this agreement, the Place de la Francophonie, situated in downtown Vancouver, will be, throughout the Games, a place of gathering, celebration, artistic creation, economic exchange and gastronomy.
Vancouver 2010: En route for perfectly bilingual Games
June 30th, 2009
Like Athens in 2004, Turin in 2006 and Beijing in 2008, Vancouver 2010 will be closely examined by a Grand Témoin de la Francophonie, this time the former President of the Swiss Confederation, Pascal Couchepin, who was appointed by the Secretary General of La Francophonie, Abdou Diouf. The role of the Grand Témoin is to lead activities promoting awareness and observation of the French language, and increasing its use.
Solid experience
At the announcement of this nomination, IOC President Jacques Rogge stated: “We are looking forward to working with Mr Couchepin. We have already had the opportunity of working with him in the framework of his functions within the federal government. His solid international experience and his knowledge of the sports world will certainly be valuable assets in his new role of Grand Témoin de la Francophonie.” Pascal Couchepin is a key figure in the Swiss political landscape. He was President of the Swiss Confederation twice, in 2003 and 2008. Within the Federal Council, he led the Federal Department of Economic Affairs from 1998 to 2002. In this function, he was in charge of the ministries of agriculture, foreign trade, labour and professional education. During this period, he represented Switzerland within the World Trade Organisation (WTO) and served as Governor of the World Bank and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD). Currently Head of the Federal Department of Home Affairs, responsible for questions of social security, health, education, university education, research and culture, he will leave this post in October 2009 to devote himself to his new mission promoting the French language at the Olympic Games.
Olympic attachment to the French language
As President Rogge often stresses, the IOC is deeply attached to the defence of the French language, as it was created in French, by Pierre de Coubertin, the reviver of the Olympic Games, in an era (end of the 19th century) when French was the language of diplomacy. Since April 1915, the IOC headquarters have been in the French-speaking region of Switzerland. We should also recall that, in accordance with Rule 24 of the Olympic Charter, French is an official IOC language, alongside English, and is therefore of fundamental importance for the Olympic Games. Furthermore, if there is a discrepancy between a French text and an English one in the Olympic Charter, or any other IOC document, the French text prevails, in the absence of any written instruction to the contrary.
A satisfactory place in Beijing
Last August in Beijing, the French language had a satisfactory place, thanks to the organisers’ considerable efforts. This was the conclusion of the Grand Témoin for these Games, former French Prime Minister Jean-Pierre Raffarin, in his report on the use of French at the Beijing Olympic Games in 2008. A copy of this report will be officially presented today to President Rogge at a meeting in Lausanne with Pascal Couchepin, who will be accompanied by Pierre de Cocatrix, the Chief of Staff of the Secretary General of La Francophonie. Besides the presentation of the Grand Témoin’s mission in Vancouver, and a discussion on preparations for the Games, the cooperation project between the Organisation Internationale de la Francophonie (OIF) and the Olympic Movement will also be addressed, with the focal points being the first Youth Olympic Games in August 2010 in Singapore, the next edition of the Francophone Games in Beirut, and preparations for the 2013 edition.
Vancouver 2010, devoted to Francophonie
Canada is recognised throughout the entire world for its bilingualism and diversity. The Federal Law of 1969 made French and English the two official languages of the Canadian Federal State. The Organising Committee for the Games in Vancouver (VANOC) has therefore made a strong commitment to ensuring that the 2010 Olympic Winter Games respect the linguistic reality of the host country. The creation of a VANOC advisory panel on the official languages is a perfect illustration of this. A multi-party agreement between VANOC, the federal government and the host cities of the Games was signed, fixing very high standards in the area of bilingualism. To underline the important contribution of the country’s French-speaking communities, VANOC also signed a collaboration agreement with the Canadian Foundation for Cross-Cultural Dialogue and the British Columbia Francophone Federation. Reflecting this agreement, the Place de la Francophonie, situated in downtown Vancouver, will be, throughout the Games, a place of gathering, celebration, artistic creation, economic exchange and gastronomy.
GE donates 4.8m pounds to Host Borough hospital
June 29th, 2009
GE, a worldwide partner of the Olympic Games, has today announced plans to donate £4.8 million ( million) worth of medical equipment, including foetal monitors, incubators and MR scanner, to Homerton University Hospital in Hackney, East London.
Official Posters of the Games – Feature Stories – Vancouver 2010
June 29th, 2009
The maple leaf. It’s one of Canada’s most widely recognized symbols and now it’s the face of the official 2010 Winter Games posters. But instead of the standard rustic red, this maple leaf is an anthology of nature and urban symbolism in wintery shades of blue and vibrant greens.
The complementary posters, reflecting the signature look of the 2010 Winter Games, have a bold, contemporary design and feature a cropped maple leaf composed of a vibrant palette found in the natural landscape of Vancouver and the Sea to Sky corridor, the Games Host Region. When the Olympic and Paralympic posters are displayed together, the two halves of the maple leaf join to create a whole, a concept that is a first for an Organizing Committee. The Official Emblems of the Games, and the Games motto With Glowing Hearts/Des plus brillants exploits, are also on the posters; all poster elements are artfully displayed on a white wood grain textured background.
Like other Games posters before them, the official posters of Canada’s Games — the 21st produced for a Winter Games — will hang on bedroom walls and office boardrooms around the world. Among collectors, Olympic and Paralympic Games posters are some of the most coveted Games keepsakes.
The posters go on sale today at vancouver2010.com/store and at The Olympic Stores located at Vancouver International Airport and in Whistler, BC, starting at CAD.
The Creative Process
Created by hand using paint and mixed media prior to digital composition, the techniques employed to produce the original piece of art complement the modern and dynamic style of the Vancouver 2010 graphics. The Look of the Games graphic elements in the poster were created by members of the Vancouver Organizing Committee for the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games (VANOC) design team, and the poster concept and unique interpretation of the graphic elements were brought to life by VANOC designer Ben Hulse.
“As one of the most visible and collectible items of the Games, we’re proud to offer Canadians and supporters around the world official posters that truly illustrate the spirit of Canada’s Games,” said John Furlong, VANOC Chief Executive Officer. “The posters feature the traditional maple leaf rendered in a new way that is symbolic of a country that is young at heart, diverse, dynamic and fun. The unique pairing of these posters reflect our integrated approach to celebrating the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games as one event for Canada.”
Order Your Poster
The posters, produced by VANOC licensee Canadian Art Prints of Richmond, BC, start at for an 18 x 27-inch offset lithography print (available today) to a limited edition 20 x 28-inch Giclee print for 0 (pre-orders start today). Limited-edition versions of the posters will also be sold together; these include embossing, a story on how the posters were designed and a certificate of authenticity signed by VANOC CEO John Furlong and designer Ben Hulse.
In the coming months, other Vancouver 2010 posters will be available for sale, including the sport illustrations featured on highly sought Games tickets, including ice hockey, figure skating and alpine skiing. All 2010 Winter Games posters will be available for purchase at vancouver2010.com/store; The Olympic Stores in Whistler, Vancouver and at the Vancouver International Airport; select Zellers and The Bay stores; and select retailers across Canada and internationally.
Related Links:
The 2010 Winter Games Brand
The Online Store
Canadian athletes join Vancouver 2010 in unveiling official posters of the Games, featuring a stylized maple leaf – News Releases – Vancouver 2010
June 29th, 2009
Ottawa, ON — In a nod to Canada’s most widely recognized symbol and in the build up to Canada Day 2009 celebrations across the country, the maple leaf has pride of place on the Official Posters of the Vancouver 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games, unveiled today in the nation’s capital by the Vancouver Organizing Committee for the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games (VANOC) and Canadian athletes.
“One of Canada’s most cherished symbols is the maple leaf. We put it on our flag, our uniforms and even our backpacks when we travel around the world. It sums up who we are — our shared history, values and goals as a country,” said Nathalie Lambert, Canada’s chef de mission for the Vancouver 2010 Olympic Winter Games. “That’s why it’s fitting to have the maple leaf on the official posters of Canada’s Games. With this modern, youthful and spirited take on our national symbol, we will welcome the world as hosts of the 2010 Winter Games in just 228 days time!”
Lambert, a three-time Olympic medallist in short track speed skating, unveiled the posters with Jean Labonté, a 2006 Paralympic gold medallist in ice sledge hockey; and John Furlong, VANOC Chief Executive Officer.
One of the most coveted collectors’ keepsakes of the Games, the official posters of the Games — the 21st produced for an Olympic Winter Games — will have a place in history alongside past Games posters, and are sure to grace bedroom walls, boardrooms and sports facilities around the world. The posters go on sale today at www.vancouver2010.com/store and at The Olympic Stores located at Vancouver International Airport and in Whistler, BC, starting at CAD.
The complementary posters, which reflect the signature look of the 2010 Winter Games, have a bold, contemporary design and feature a cropped maple leaf composed of a vibrant palette of blues and greens found in the natural landscape of Vancouver and the Sea to Sky corridor, the Games Host Region. When the Olympic and Paralympic posters are displayed together, the two halves of the maple leaf join to create a whole, a concept that is a first for an organizing committee. The Official Emblems of the Games, and the Games motto With Glowing Hearts/Des plus brillants exploits, are also on the posters. All poster elements are artfully displayed on a white wood grain textured background.
“As one of the most visible and collectible items of the Games, we’re proud to offer Canadians and supporters around the world official posters that truly illustrate the spirit of Canada’s Games,” said Furlong. “The poster features the traditional maple leaf rendered in a new way that is symbolic of a country that is young at heart, diverse, dynamic and fun. The unique pairing of these posters reflect our integrated approach to celebrating the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games as one event for Canada.” The posters were designed in-house by a member of the same design team that developed the Games’ graphic identity in 2007.
This same signature “look” will also be found at Games time in 2010 — on tickets, banners, venue signage and buildings — giving the entire Host Region a seamless, festive atmosphere as it welcomes the world.
The posters, produced by VANOC licensee Canadian Art Prints of Richmond, BC, start at for an 18 x 27-inch offset lithography print (available today) to a limited edition 20 x 28-inch Giclee print for 0 (pre-orders start today). Limited-edition versions of the posters will also be sold together; these include embossing, a story on how the posters were designed and a certificate of authenticity signed by VANOC CEO John Furlong and designer Ben Hulse.
In the coming months, the official posters and other Vancouver 2010 posters will be available for sale, including the sport illustrations featured on highly sought Games tickets, including ice hockey, figure skating and alpine skiing. All 2010 Winter Games posters will be available for purchase at www.vancouver2010.com/store; The Olympic Stores in Whistler, Vancouver and at the Vancouver International Airport; select Zellers and The Bay stores; and select retailers across Canada and internationally.
Note to Photo Editors:
Images of the official posters of the Vancouver 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games will be made available to media in a high-resolution downloadable format at www.vancouver2010.com as a link within the feature story on the website homepage.
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 Paralympic Winter Games from March 12 to 21, 2010. Visit www.vancouver2010.com.
Contact
If you are a member of the media, please contact mediarelations@vancouver2010.com
For all other inquiries, please contact info@vancouver2010.com
Halfway point for Aquatics Centre roof
June 26th, 2009
Construction of the wave-shaped roof of the London 2012 Aquatics Centre has reached its halfway point.
Vancouver 2010 Paralympic Torch Relay starting point, torch design, uniform and emblem revealed – Feature Stories – Vancouver 2010
June 25th, 2009
Three days after the Olympic Flame is extinguished on the West Coast, a new flame will light in Canada’s national capital, Ottawa, sparking the official start and inspirational journey of the 2010 Paralympic Torch Relay on March 3, 2010.
The 10-day relay, supported by the Government of Canada, will illuminate the extraordinary achievements of Paralympians and celebrate the endless possibilities of the human spirit. The 2010 Paralympic Torch Relay will start with a uniquely Canadian lighting ceremony in Ottawa and will involve approximately 600 torchbearers. The relay will visit several celebration sites before arriving at BC Place in Vancouver for the opening of the 2010 Paralympic Winter Games on March 12.
The starting point announcement was made on June 25, 2009 in Vancouver by Gary Lunn, Minister of State (Sport). Sir Phillip Craven, International Paralympic Committee (IPC) President, Premier Gordon Campbell, Mayor Gregor Robertson and John Furlong, Chief Executive Officer for the Vancouver Organizing Committee for the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games were also in attendance.
“I have always been so very impressed by the athletes who participate in the Paralympic Games. They literally embody so many of the competitive values we assign to sportsmen and women in general,” said Jim Richards, director, torch relays. “They are an inspiration to us all, and to have them share their stories and join us throughout the Paralympic Torch Relay will help all of us become a little more resilient and better at surprising ourselves. Our goal is to create a relay that gathers people in the communities to truly celebrate the possible.”
Paralympic Torch and Uniform
Para-Alpine Skier, Lauren Woolstencroft and retired Para-Alpine Skier, Brad
Lennea lighting their torches
Two Paralympians were also on hand to celebrate the event. Brad Lennea of Whistler, BC, a retired member of Canada’s Para-Alpine Ski Team and a torchbearer in Beijing, was joined by a fellow skier Karolina Wixniewska of Vancouver, BC to reveal the distinctive steel blue torch and uniform.
The one-metre-long torch, designed and manufactured by Bombardier, was inspired by the Canadian winter landscape and the lines left on ice by winter sports. The torch also features the Vancouver 2010 Paralympic Winter Games emblem, a red maple leaf air intake cut-out and an engraving of the Games motto With Glowing Hearts/Des plus brillants exploits.
Designed and produced by the Hudson’s Bay Company, the Paralympic torchbearer uniform is also steel blue and accented with bright bursts of blue and green on the jacket’s left arm. It also features the Vancouver 2010 Paralympic Torch Relay emblem on the chest and the agitos on the back. The red, green and blue agitos are the Paralympic symbol and represent the IPC’s role in bringing athletes from all corners of the world together and enabling them to compete. The uniform consists of a jacket, pullover pants, toque and knitted red mittens.
Emblem
For the first time in its 22-year history, the Paralympic Torch Relay has its own unique emblem, distinct from the Olympic Torch Relay emblem. The 2010 Paralympic emblem, “Spark Becomes Flame,” is a metaphor for the fire within each and every one of us — the fire of friendship, inspiration and the spirit of the 2010 Paralympic Torch Relay. The emblem symbolizes the moment when imaginations are ignited and dreams are born. Its design was created by an in-house team at the Organizing Committee.
Over 1,300 athletes and officials from more than 40 countries will take part in five sports (alpine skiing, cross-country skiing, ice sledge hockey, wheelchair curling and biathlon) during the 10 days of competition at the 2010 Paralympic Winter Games in Vancouver and Whistler next March. Tickets for all Paralympic events are now on sale at vancouver2010.com.
The Vancouver 2010 Paralympic Torch Relay: a 10-day celebration of extraordinary achievements Starting point, steel blue torch design, official uniform, and relay’s emblem unveiled – News Releases – Vancouver 2010
June 25th, 2009
Vancouver, BC — Three days after the Olympic Flame is extinguished on the West Coast, a new flame will light in Ottawa — in the heart of Canada’s national capital — sparking the official start of the 2010 Paralympic Torch Relay on March 3, 2010. The 10-day inspirational journey will illuminate the extraordinary achievements of Paralympians and celebrate the endless possibilities of the human spirit through sharing the message of courage and determination embodied by the flame.
The relay, supported by the Government of Canada, will involve an estimated 600 torchbearers and visit several celebration sites, which the Vancouver Organizing Committee for the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games (VANOC) is actively working on and will announce at a later date. The Paralympic Flame will travel to BC Place in downtown Vancouver for the opening of the 2010 Paralympic Winter Games on March 12, marking the first time Canada has hosted a Paralympic Winter Games. Tickets for all Paralympic events are on sale now at www.vancouver2010.com.
“The Paralympic Games are about celebrating unbelievable athletic performances and triumphing repeatedly over adversity. The flame — and the Paralympic Torch Relay — is a powerful physical reminder of this, of how a dream can spark a personal and emotional transformation in the pursuit of excellence,” said Sir Philip Craven, President of the International Paralympic Committee (IPC), who participated in today’s announcement with a host of dignitaries. “I know in 2010, Canadians will give a warm welcome to the flame wherever it visits, and be great hosts to the world’s finest Paralympians.”
As well, for the first time the Paralympic Torch Relay will have its own unique emblem. The 2010 Paralympic Torch Relay emblem — “Spark Becomes Flame” — shows a human figure with its arms raised and joined, much like a candle’s flame. Contained within the arms is the glow of the fire within everyone, symbolizing the moment when imaginations are ignited and dreams are born. The design was created by Vancouver 2010’s in-house design team.
“We felt it was important for the Paralympic Torch Relay to have its own emblem because of its special ability to shine its own light and reveal amazing stories of courage and perseverance in our communities and at the Games,” said John Furlong, VANOC’s Chief Executive Officer. “To honour the remarkable achievements of Paralympic athletes, we are planning extraordinary relay events that will inspire and garner attention for the Vancouver 2010 Paralympic Winter Games and the Paralympic Movement.”
The March 3 lighting ceremony in Ottawa will have a uniquely Canadian flair; the Paralympic Flame has no ancestral home, hence each Organizing Committee has the freedom to choose a lighting method and celebration significant to the Host Country. The details of the ceremony will be revealed this fall by VANOC, along with the torchbearer selection process and the relay celebration stops en route from Ottawa to Vancouver.
“The Government of Canada is proud to present the Paralympic Torch Relay, and we encourage all Canadians to follow the flame from the relay’s start in Ottawa to its exciting homecoming in Vancouver,” said the Honourable Gary Lunn, Minister of State (Sport). “The Paralympic Torch Relay will spread the Paralympic spirit from coast to coast to coast and celebrate the talents and achievements of our great Paralympic athletes, who are an inspiration to us all.”
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 2010 Paralympic Winter Games in Vancouver and Whistler next March. The big international sporting event comes just 12 days after the region hosts the Olympic Winter Games.
“The Paralympic Torch Relay will bring the spirit of competition and triumph that our Paralympic athletes personify to communities across British Columbia and Canada,” said the Honourable Gordon Campbell, Premier of BC. “We’ve already witnessed how truly incredible these athletes are and how fierce the competition is when we hosted several Paralympic sport events at the 2010 venues earlier this year. British Columbians are excited to host Canada’s first-ever Paralympic Winter Games and to share in seeing the dreams of our athletes come true right here in their home.”
At the news conference today with Sir Philip, VANOC also unveiled the torch and uniform design for the 2010 Paralympic Torch Relay. Brad Lennea of Whistler, BC, a retired member of Canada’sPara-Alpine Ski Team and a Paralympic Torchbearer in Beijing, and fellow skier Karolina Wisniewska of Vancouver, BC, carried the distinctive steel blue torch, inspired by the Canadian winter landscape and the lines etched on ice by winter sports.
The one-metre-long torch, designed by Bombardier, has an ergonomic, curved and modern design and features the emblem of the 2010 Paralympic Winter Games, a red maple leaf air intake cut-out and an engraving of the Games motto With Glowing Hearts/Des plus brillants exploits. It also has robust technology created by Bombardier’s aerospace and transportation design teams to weather the extremes of the Canadian winter. The torch can be operated in temperatures ranging from -50 C to over 40 C, through rain, sleet, snow and wind.
The Paralympic Torchbearer uniform, which seamlessly blends in with the torch design, is steel blue in colour and accented with bright bursts of blue and green on the jacket’s left arm. The uniform, designed and produced by the Hudson’s Bay Company, consists of a jacket, pullover pants, toque and knitted red mittens. The uniform is a commemorative keepsake for torchbearers.
The uniform also features the Vancouver 2010 Paralympic Torch Relay emblem on the chest and the IPC symbol, known as agitos, on the back. Silver reflective elements, including “Vancouver 2010” on the right jacket sleeve and right back pant leg, have been added for prominence and visibility.
Further information on the 2010 Paralympic Torch Relay, including photos of the torch and torchbearer uniforms, is available online at www.vancouver2010.com/torchrelay.
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 Paralympic Winter Games from March 12 to 21, 2010. Please visit www.vancouver2010.com for more information.
About IPC
The International Paralympic Committee (IPC) is the global governing body of the Paralympic Movement. The IPC organizes the Summer and Winter Paralympic Games, and serves as the International Federation for nine sports, for which it supervises and coordinates the World Championships and other competitions. The IPC is committed to enabling Paralympic athletes to achieve sporting excellence and to developing sport opportunities for persons with a disability, from the beginner to elite level. In addition, the IPC aims to promote the Paralympic values, which include courage, determination, inspiration and equality.
About the Government of Canada
The Government of Canada is proud to make 2010 a celebration for all Canadians. Through strategic investments in programming and funding, the spirit and excitement will be felt far and wide and leave lasting legacies for future generations. Through the Olympic Torch Relay and Paralympic Torch Relay, the Government of Canada is supporting citizen and community participation, as well as the inclusion of Aboriginal, ethnocultural and official language communities. For more information on the Government of Canada’s contribution to the Vancouver 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games, visit www.Canada2010.gc.ca.
About Bombardier
A world-leading manufacturer of innovative transportation solutions, from commercial aircraft and business jets to rail transportation equipment, systems and services, Bombardier Inc. is a global corporation headquartered in Canada. Its revenues for the fiscal year ended Jan. 31, 2008, were .5 billion US, and its shares are traded on the Toronto Stock Exchange (BBD). Bombardier is listed as an index component to the Dow Jones Sustainability World and North America indexes. News and information are available at www.bombardier.com.
About the Hudson’s Bay Company
The Hudson’s Bay Company is a Premier National Partner and the General Retail Merchant of the 2010 Winter Games. In partnership with VANOC, the company is designing and manufacturing the official uniforms for the 30,000-person Games-time workforce; it will also be outfitting the athletes’ Villages, in both Vancouver and Whistler, with quality products to make the athletes comfortable in 2010. The Hudson’s Bay Company 500-store network currently sells the largest assortment of authentic Vancouver 2010 licensed merchandise.
Background
The torch’s large size (over 94 centimetres long) represents the vastness of the second largest country in the world and the limitless potential of its land and people. When lit, the brilliant orange glow of the Paralympic Flame will unfurl like a flag fluttering in the wind from the torch’s unique 30-centimetre-long vertical flame outlet. The flame will burn for at least 12 minutes. A red maple leaf air intake cut-out will feed the flame with enough oxygen to ensure it burns brightly for all to see, and a dual burner system will ensure it never falters.
The torch (with fuel) weighs about 1.6 kilograms and contains stainless steel, aluminum and a sheet-moulding compound. Ninety-five per cent of the Paralympic Torch is composed of materials and technology made or designed in Canada. Approximately 600 torches will be manufactured — one for every torchbearer taking part in the Paralympic Torch Relay.
Contact
If you are a member of the media, please contact mediarelations@vancouver2010.com
For all other inquiries, please contact info@vancouver2010.com
Young designers shortlisted for London 2012 education logo competition
June 25th, 2009
Six young designers have pitched their ideas for a new London 2012 education logo to a panel of judges including Shanaze Reade, the BMX World Champion and Olympian.