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Vancouver 2010 Olympic Ticketing Guide confirms affordable
and convenient transportation plans for ticket holders

Vancouver, BC, Canada, Whistler 2010 Olympics Information:

What sports are part of the Olympic and Paralympics Winter Games?

• Olympic Winter Games include the following sports: alpine skiing; biathlon; bobsleigh; skeleton; luge; cross country skiing; curling; figure skating; freestyle skiing; ice hockey; Nordic combined; ski jumping; speed skating; short track speed skating; and snowboarding.
  • Winter Paralympic Games include: alpine skiing; biathlon; cross country skiing; sledge ice hockey; wheelchair curling (debuting as a medal sport).
• What are the dates for the 2010 Olympic Winter Games and Paralympic Games?
  • Olympic Winter Games: February 12 to 28, 2010 (17 days)
• Winter Paralympic Games: March 12 to 21, 2010 (14 days)

Where will the sporting events take place?

• The Alpine (downhill, super G, giant slalom, slalom, combined), Nordic (biathlon, cross country skiing, Nordic combined), Sliding (ski jumping, bobsleigh, luge, skeleton) and Paralympic events are proposed to be held in Whistler, 120 km north of Vancouver.
  • Ice events including hockey, short track speed skating and speed skating, as well as freestyle skiing and snowboarding events will be held in the city of Vancouver.
• Opening ceremonies for both the Olympic Winter Games and Winter Paralympic Games will take place at BC Place Stadium in Vancouver.
  • Medal ceremonies will occur at both Whistler and Vancouver.
• Athletes' villages and media centres will be in both Vancouver and Whistler.

Why was Vancouver Whistler chosen as the ideal location to host the 2010 Winter Games?

• Generate up to $10 billion in direct economic activity.
  • Create about 228,000 direct and indirect jobs throughout the province.
• Result in up to $2.5 billion in incremental tax revenues.

What makes Canada an excellent host country?

• Canada is a safe and stable nation.
  • Canada has an excellent record for hosting major world-class events such as the Winter Olympic and Paralympic Games in Calgary in 1988, 'Expo 86' World Exposition in Vancouver in 1986, and the World Figure Skating Championships in Vancouver in 2001. Whistler has hosted numerous World Cup alpine, freestyle and snowboarding events as well as the 2001 World Freestyle Championships.
• Vancouver is repeatedly recognized by the William M. Mercer Institute as one of the world's most livable cities. Whistler is noted as one of North America's top ski destinations by major publications in North America and Great Britain.
  • Canada is a world leader in advancing the interests of athletes with a disability.

Whistler's Expertise and the Costs ....

What is Whistler's event expertise?

• * Whistler continues to play an extensive resource support role through the hosting of world-class sporting events such as the 2005 Snowboard FIS World Championships; the 2001 Freestyle World Championships; and is home to the Dave Murray Downhill, considered one of the most challenging courses on the World Cup circuit.
  • What are some of Whistler's other key strengths as it relates to the Games?
• Whistler has a world-wide profile as a ski and snowboard resort. As well, it is a premier location for golf and myriad sports in the other seasons. Whistler Resort boasts a vibrant pedestrian village scene back-dropped by the spectacular Coast Mountain Range. The scenic Sea to Sky Highway, with its magnificent fjords and mountain views, places Whistler in close proximity to Vancouver's urban sophistication.
  • Who is financing the Bid total of $34 million?
  • The Government of Canada ($9.1 million),
  • Province of British Columbia ($9.1 million)
  • contributions from corporate and other supporters.
• When complete, 54 per cent will come from government and public corporations, and 46 per cent from private companies. Five-million dollars has been earmarked for the LegaciesNow program for sport, youth and community development initiatives.

How much will capital construction for the 2010 Winter Games cost?

• An estimated $620 million Cdn of capital construction will occur from 2004 to 2010, including renovations to existing facilities and venues, new facilities and operating endowments for post-Games use.

How much revenue will hosting the 2010 Winter Games generate?

• Revenue estimates are $1.2 billion to $1.3 billion Cdn from broadcast rights, sponsorships, merchandise sales and ticket sales, which will offset the $1.3 billion cost of staging the Games.

Who has been consulted in the Bid process?

• * Citizens have been contacted through hundreds of open houses, information sessions, events and presentations in the Greater Vancouver region by the Bid Corporation. The Bid also conducts information sessions in Whistler where it has a community office; there is also an information Centre in downtown Vancouver.

(From Apply Now, Your Guide to Canada for Visitors)