Countdown To The Olympics

Vancouver, BC ― To help celebrate the world’s biggest potlatch ― the Vancouver 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games ― up-and-coming young Aboriginal leaders from across Canada are gathering today in British Columbia’s Sea to Sky region as part of an ambitious forum to explore and share their cultures through the Olympic Movement.

Over the next 16 days, more than 300 First Nations, Inuit and Métis youth, aged 19 to 29, will experience the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to be at Canada’s Games in person and showcase their culture and region through a range of activities and special events.

As part of the gathering, participants will tour Olympic venues, watch the world’s best athletes train and compete and meet sport heroes, business leaders and Aboriginal elders in person. They will also take part in cultural performances at the 2010 Aboriginal Pavilion and the GG’s 2010 Olympic Truce Youth Dialogue: Promoting Mutual Understanding‬ hosted by Her Excellency the Right Honourable Michaëlle Jean, Governor General of Canada, on February 11.

“It is truly exciting to welcome all these young ambassadors from First Nations, Inuit and Métis communities across the country to the traditional lands of the Lil’wat, Musqueam, Squamish and Tsleil-Waututh Nations where the 2010 Winter Games will take place,” said Tewanee Joseph, executive director and CEO of the Four Host First Nations.

“This gathering is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to be right in the centre of the action at the Games and play an important role in showcasing and sharing Aboriginal culture. The 2010 Winter Games mark a time of transformation for our people, where we focus on the positive aspects of our culture. These young people represent a great hope and a brighter future for Aboriginal people for years to come.”

The Vancouver 2010 Indigenous Youth Gathering is part of a larger ongoing program to achieve unprecedented Aboriginal participation in the planning and hosting of the 2010 Winter Games by the Four Host First Nations and the Vancouver Organizing Committee for the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games (VANOC) with the support of many partners.

The Government of Canada is a key supporter of this vision and has worked closely with VANOC and the Four Host First Nations to ensure the Games leave a legacy of economic and social benefits for Aboriginal peoples in Canada.

“The 2010 Indigenous Youth Gathering will provide First Nations, Inuit and Métis youth from across Canada with a unique opportunity to connect with one another and to celebrate and showcase their cultural heritage through the Olympic Movement,” said the Honourable James Moore, Minister of Canadian Heritage and Official Languages.

In addition to the Government of Canada, the gathering is supported by BC Hydro, Alberta, Manitoba, Newfoundland and Labrador, Northwest Territories, Nova Scotia, Nunavut, Ontario, Prince Edward Island, Quebec, Saskatchewan, Council of Yukon First Nations, as well as, the Aboriginal Youth Sport Legacy fund, 2010 Legacies Now, and regional and national Aboriginal organizations.

“The Province of British Columbia is proud to welcome these young Aboriginal leaders for this historic gathering as part of the 2010 Winter Games,” said the Honourable Gordon Campbell, premier of British Columbia. “This 16-day program is sure to take them on an amazing journey with lasting friendships made right here in British Columbia.”

The programming for the Vancouver 2010 Indigenous Youth Gathering, which runs until February 14, is connected to the pillars of the Olympic Movement: sport, culture, sustainability, as well as the objectives of the Olympic Truce (youth, action, legacy, awareness, and peace).

“The importance of recognizing and working in close partnership with Aboriginal peoples in Canada through the Four Host First Nations has been a primary focus for everyone as we developed our plans for the 2010 Winter Games,” explained John Furlong, VANOC’s Chief Executive Officer. “It is our sincere hope that this unique gathering and opportunity to live the excitement of the Games first hand will be an inspirational experience for these young Aboriginal leaders in Canada ― one they can take back to their communities and share as a lasting legacy of the friendships and knowledge they will gain here.”

Participants will be housed in accommodation sites located in the pristine and breathtaking Paradise Valley of Squamish in the Sea to Sky region. The sites offer educational programs on forestry and wildlife, salmon habitats, a bald eagle sanctuary, as well as traditional connections to the land.

“Squamish is pleased to extend a big welcome to the more than 300 participants of the Vancouver 2010 Indigenous Youth Gathering to our district, the Outdoor Recreation Capital of Canada,” said Squamish Mayor Greg Gardner. “We’re ideally located to host a group of this size and scope because of our proximity to Olympic and Paralympic venues in Vancouver and Whistler.”

About VANOC
VANOC is responsible for the planning, organizing, financing and staging of the XXI Olympic Winter Games and the 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.

Press Contact
If you are a member of the media, please contact mediarelations@vancouver2010.com

Vancouver 2010

Vancouver, BC ― To help celebrate the world’s biggest potlatch ― the Vancouver 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games ― up-and-coming young Aboriginal leaders from across Canada are gathering today in British Columbia’s Sea to Sky region as part of an ambitious forum to explore and share their cultures through the Olympic Movement.

Over the next 16 days, more than 300 First Nations, Inuit and Métis youth, aged 19 to 29, will experience the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to be at Canada’s Games in person and showcase their culture and region through a range of activities and special events.

As part of the gathering, participants will tour Olympic venues, watch the world’s best athletes train and compete and meet sport heroes, business leaders and Aboriginal elders in person. They will also take part in cultural performances at the 2010 Aboriginal Pavilion and the GG’s 2010 Olympic Truce Youth Dialogue: Promoting Mutual Understanding‬ hosted by Her Excellency the Right Honourable Michaëlle Jean, Governor General of Canada, on February 11.

“It is truly exciting to welcome all these young ambassadors from First Nations, Inuit and Métis communities across the country to the traditional lands of the Lil’wat, Musqueam, Squamish and Tsleil-Waututh Nations where the 2010 Winter Games will take place,” said Tewanee Joseph, executive director and CEO of the Four Host First Nations.

“This gathering is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to be right in the centre of the action at the Games and play an important role in showcasing and sharing Aboriginal culture. The 2010 Winter Games mark a time of transformation for our people, where we focus on the positive aspects of our culture. These young people represent a great hope and a brighter future for Aboriginal people for years to come.”

The Vancouver 2010 Indigenous Youth Gathering is part of a larger ongoing program to achieve unprecedented Aboriginal participation in the planning and hosting of the 2010 Winter Games by the Four Host First Nations and the Vancouver Organizing Committee for the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games (VANOC) with the support of many partners.

The Government of Canada is a key supporter of this vision and has worked closely with VANOC and the Four Host First Nations to ensure the Games leave a legacy of economic and social benefits for Aboriginal peoples in Canada.

“The 2010 Indigenous Youth Gathering will provide First Nations, Inuit and Métis youth from across Canada with a unique opportunity to connect with one another and to celebrate and showcase their cultural heritage through the Olympic Movement,” said the Honourable James Moore, Minister of Canadian Heritage and Official Languages.

In addition to the Government of Canada, the gathering is supported by BC Hydro, Alberta, Manitoba, Newfoundland and Labrador, Northwest Territories, Nova Scotia, Nunavut, Ontario, Prince Edward Island, Quebec, Saskatchewan, Council of Yukon First Nations, as well as, the Aboriginal Youth Sport Legacy fund, 2010 Legacies Now, and regional and national Aboriginal organizations.

“The Province of British Columbia is proud to welcome these young Aboriginal leaders for this historic gathering as part of the 2010 Winter Games,” said the Honourable Gordon Campbell, premier of British Columbia. “This 16-day program is sure to take them on an amazing journey with lasting friendships made right here in British Columbia.”

The programming for the Vancouver 2010 Indigenous Youth Gathering, which runs until February 14, is connected to the pillars of the Olympic Movement: sport, culture, sustainability, as well as the objectives of the Olympic Truce (youth, action, legacy, awareness, and peace).

“The importance of recognizing and working in close partnership with Aboriginal peoples in Canada through the Four Host First Nations has been a primary focus for everyone as we developed our plans for the 2010 Winter Games,” explained John Furlong, VANOC’s Chief Executive Officer. “It is our sincere hope that this unique gathering and opportunity to live the excitement of the Games first hand will be an inspirational experience for these young Aboriginal leaders in Canada ― one they can take back to their communities and share as a lasting legacy of the friendships and knowledge they will gain here.”

Participants will be housed in accommodation sites located in the pristine and breathtaking Paradise Valley of Squamish in the Sea to Sky region. The sites offer educational programs on forestry and wildlife, salmon habitats, a bald eagle sanctuary, as well as traditional connections to the land.

“Squamish is pleased to extend a big welcome to the more than 300 participants of the Vancouver 2010 Indigenous Youth Gathering to our district, the Outdoor Recreation Capital of Canada,” said Squamish Mayor Greg Gardner. “We’re ideally located to host a group of this size and scope because of our proximity to Olympic and Paralympic venues in Vancouver and Whistler.”

About VANOC
VANOC is responsible for the planning, organizing, financing and staging of the XXI Olympic Winter Games and the 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.

Press Contact
If you are a member of the media, please contact mediarelations@vancouver2010.com

Vancouver 2010

Vancouver (AFP) – Speed skater Clara Hughes, a five-time Olympic medallist, will carry the Canadian flag at the Opening Ceremony of the Vancouver Olympic Winter Games, the Canadian Olympic Committee said Friday.

The announcement came as the COC officially announced the 206 athlete who will compete for Canada.

“This is without a doubt the greatest honour of my sporting life,” Hughes said. “Leading the Team into BC Place is something I look forward to because of the world class Canadian athletes beside me, and the inspiring stories behind each one of them.

“These Games will have a profound impact on every Canadian, fostering so many hopes and dreams. I remember being that young person and seeing the Games in Calgary – that was the beginning of my amazing journey that has brought me here today.”

Hughes has won multiple Olympic medals at both Summer and Winter Games as part of a career that will now span five Olympic Games.

She claimed her first medals at the Atlanta 1996 Olympic Summer Games, capturing two cycling bronze.

Hughes made her Winter Games debut at Salt Lake City in 2002, competing in the 5,000 metres. Her bronze medal performance made her just the fourth Olympian to reach both the Summer and Winter Olympic podiums.

In Torino in 2006, Hughes captured gold in the 5,000 metres and silver in team pursuit.

bb

Vancouver 2010

Kranjska Gora (AFP) – Swiss veteran Didier Cuche still expects to compete at next month’s Winter Games in Vancouver despite fracturing his right thumb in a fall in Friday’s giant slalom at Kranjska Gora.

Cuche will have surgery on Saturday in Zurich but expects to make a swift recovery to keep his Olympic dream alive.

“The Olympics are still on. We will see how the operation goes and how (the injury) can be protected,” said the super-G world champion, who last week produced a double downhill-super G triumph on the Streif at Kitzbuehel to take his season win tally to four and career total to 13.

Cuche, 35, will be operated on by Dr Walter Frey at Zurich’s Schulthess clinic after he suffered the injury in clipping the third last gate “pretty hard”.

The veteran has already been racing through the pain barrier in recent weeks after he fractured a rib six weeks ago at Val d’Isere, a problem which took three weeks to clear up.

asc/cw/dj10

Vancouver 2010

Washington (AFP) – Alpine World Cup ski star Lindsey Vonn is confident she will be in top form for the Vancouver Olympic Winter Games next month despite a bruised left hand that still bothers the American in slalom runs.

The two-time defending World Cup overall champion said Thursday in a conference call with reporters that the left hand she injured a month ago in Lienz, Austria, continues to improve and her confidence continues to grow.

“The arm is getting better every day,” Vonn said. “It has just been a struggle on slalom this year. I think things will be fine for all the other disciplines but it will be difficult for the slalom.”

Vonn, 25, suffered a training crash at Turin just before the 2006 Olympics that wiped her out as a medal favorite, even though she fought back to return.

This year, she enters Vancouver as the reigning world downhill and Super-G champion and a hunger to claim an Olympic medal after a season in which she has dominated rivals.

“It’s going to be difficult to not let the expectations get to me,” Vonn said. “I have high expectations. I just have to do by best not to let the distractions get to me.”

Being the target of every rival in every race has taken a toll, Vonn admitted.

“It’s hard. I’ve been the one they consistently want to beat,” Vonn said. “It’s hard to stay focused and keep your concentration. It’s going to be a lot harder at these Olympics but hopefully it will be more rewarding as well.”

Struggles in the slalom since the hand injury had delivered a punch to Vonn’s confidence but she has since rebounded, especially after strong results in the past month.

“It’s getting back the confidence,” she said. “It had been a downward spiral. It’s not weighing on me. I’ve been able to bounce back from the bad slalom results and have great speed results.

“I know I can do it. It’s a matter of if I have confidence in myself. I have a lot of time before the slalom race in the Olympic Games. I think I will be fine.

“I have a lot of confidence in downhill and Super-G. It helps when you start off strong. I kept that confidence going despite the hand injury. Confidence is why I’ve still been able to do well in downhill and Super-G.”

After this weekend’s World Cup races in Switzerland, Vonn will train for a few days then return to the United States for several days off and arrive in Canada on February 9.

“There are definitely going to be a lot of days off. That’s definitely what I need right now,” Vonn said. “I’ve been grinding away pretty hard on the World Cup tour. It will be good to be rested and refocused on Whistler.”

Vonn has heard good things about the snow on the mountains near Vancouver, a host city that the US star’s friends have taken to calling “Vonn-couver”.

“It’s pretty funny,” Vonn said. “My friends started that in Aspen. They always have the Vonn-tourage. I dont really take it to heart. It’s something someone made up. It’s a funny little slogan. It’s cute.”

js/cw

Vancouver 2010

Vancouver (AFP) – Speed skater Clara Hughes, a five-time Olympic medallist, will carry the Canadian flag at the Opening Ceremony of the Vancouver Olympic Winter Games, the Canadian Olympic Committee said Friday.

The announcement came as the COC officially announced the 206 athlete who will compete for Canada.

“This is without a doubt the greatest honour of my sporting life,” Hughes said. “Leading the Team into BC Place is something I look forward to because of the world class Canadian athletes beside me, and the inspiring stories behind each one of them.

“These Games will have a profound impact on every Canadian, fostering so many hopes and dreams. I remember being that young person and seeing the Games in Calgary – that was the beginning of my amazing journey that has brought me here today.”

Hughes has won multiple Olympic medals at both Summer and Winter Games as part of a career that will now span five Olympic Games.

She claimed her first medals at the Atlanta 1996 Olympic Summer Games, capturing two cycling bronze.

Hughes made her Winter Games debut at Salt Lake City in 2002, competing in the 5,000 metres. Her bronze medal performance made her just the fourth Olympian to reach both the Summer and Winter Olympic podiums.

In Torino in 2006, Hughes captured gold in the 5,000 metres and silver in team pursuit.

bb

Vancouver 2010

Kranjska Gora (AFP) – Swiss veteran Didier Cuche still expects to compete at next month’s Winter Games in Vancouver despite fracturing his right thumb in a fall in Friday’s giant slalom at Kranjska Gora.

Cuche will have surgery on Saturday in Zurich but expects to make a swift recovery to keep his Olympic dream alive.

“The Olympics are still on. We will see how the operation goes and how (the injury) can be protected,” said the super-G world champion, who last week produced a double downhill-super G triumph on the Streif at Kitzbuehel to take his season win tally to four and career total to 13.

Cuche, 35, will be operated on by Dr Walter Frey at Zurich’s Schulthess clinic after he suffered the injury in clipping the third last gate “pretty hard”.

The veteran has already been racing through the pain barrier in recent weeks after he fractured a rib six weeks ago at Val d’Isere, a problem which took three weeks to clear up.

asc/cw/dj10

Vancouver 2010

Washington (AFP) – Alpine World Cup ski star Lindsey Vonn is confident she will be in top form for the Vancouver Olympic Winter Games next month despite a bruised left hand that still bothers the American in slalom runs.

The two-time defending World Cup overall champion said Thursday in a conference call with reporters that the left hand she injured a month ago in Lienz, Austria, continues to improve and her confidence continues to grow.

“The arm is getting better every day,” Vonn said. “It has just been a struggle on slalom this year. I think things will be fine for all the other disciplines but it will be difficult for the slalom.”

Vonn, 25, suffered a training crash at Turin just before the 2006 Olympics that wiped her out as a medal favorite, even though she fought back to return.

This year, she enters Vancouver as the reigning world downhill and Super-G champion and a hunger to claim an Olympic medal after a season in which she has dominated rivals.

“It’s going to be difficult to not let the expectations get to me,” Vonn said. “I have high expectations. I just have to do by best not to let the distractions get to me.”

Being the target of every rival in every race has taken a toll, Vonn admitted.

“It’s hard. I’ve been the one they consistently want to beat,” Vonn said. “It’s hard to stay focused and keep your concentration. It’s going to be a lot harder at these Olympics but hopefully it will be more rewarding as well.”

Struggles in the slalom since the hand injury had delivered a punch to Vonn’s confidence but she has since rebounded, especially after strong results in the past month.

“It’s getting back the confidence,” she said. “It had been a downward spiral. It’s not weighing on me. I’ve been able to bounce back from the bad slalom results and have great speed results.

“I know I can do it. It’s a matter of if I have confidence in myself. I have a lot of time before the slalom race in the Olympic Games. I think I will be fine.

“I have a lot of confidence in downhill and Super-G. It helps when you start off strong. I kept that confidence going despite the hand injury. Confidence is why I’ve still been able to do well in downhill and Super-G.”

After this weekend’s World Cup races in Switzerland, Vonn will train for a few days then return to the United States for several days off and arrive in Canada on February 9.

“There are definitely going to be a lot of days off. That’s definitely what I need right now,” Vonn said. “I’ve been grinding away pretty hard on the World Cup tour. It will be good to be rested and refocused on Whistler.”

Vonn has heard good things about the snow on the mountains near Vancouver, a host city that the US star’s friends have taken to calling “Vonn-couver”.

“It’s pretty funny,” Vonn said. “My friends started that in Aspen. They always have the Vonn-tourage. I dont really take it to heart. It’s something someone made up. It’s a funny little slogan. It’s cute.”

js/cw

Vancouver 2010

Brazil’s life expectancy rate increased over 2005-2006, according to IBGE (Brazilian Geography and Statistics Institute). The country’s average rose from 71.9 to 72.3 years

IBGE said the increase was a result of improvements in items like availability of health services, vaccination campaigns, medical advancements and higher education levels.
Women’s life expectancy is higher than men’s (76.1 and 68.5 years, respectively).

The federal district of Brasilia registered the highest life expectancy in the country – 75.1 years – followed by Santa Catarina (75) and Rio Grande do Sul (74.8).
Compared with 1960, when the average life expectancy in Brazil was 54.6 years, figures show an increase of nearly 18 years

While life expectancy went up, infant mortality rate fell in the 2005-2006 period (from 25.8 deaths per 1,000 live births to 24.9) – down 64 percent from 1980, when total deaths amounted to 69.1 per 1,000 live births.

Rio 2016

RIO DE JANEIRO – The Pan American Games Rio 2007, held on July 13 to 29, left to the city of Rio de Janeiro an important legacy in the security area. The Public National Security Department (Senasp) decided to transfer to Rio de Janeiro Government 500 out of the 700 vehicles that reinforced the police patrolling of the city during the Games.
These 500 units will be added to other 632 new cars acquired in September by the State Government to be used by the Military Police.
With these new vehicles, almost 100% of the Metropolitan Region fleet will be renewed up to the end of the year. Other 200 vehicles used in Rio 2007 will be distributed through other cities of the country.

Rio 2016