Victory for Vancouver means many benefits for First Nations

[www.winter2010.com]

July 2, 2003

Hooray!

Victory for Vancouver means many benefits for First Nations in British Columbia.

Vancouver's bid for the 2010 Olympics was accepted by the International Olympic Committee.

That means Aboriginal athletes will have the opportunity to be front and centre with athletes from around the world. Not only that, a $3 million Aboriginal Sports Legacy fund will be established for youth.

The Olympics will bring economic benefits, contracts, jobs and skills training for First Nation communities.

Already Squamish and Li'lwat First Nations have reaped some of the benefits, having gained millions of dollars of government support for a first nation's cultural centre in Whistler, site of the 2010 Olympics.

Chief Gibby Jacob of the Squamish Nation, Chief Ernie Campbell of Musqueam band, Chief Maureen Thomas of Tsleil-Waututh and Morgan Wells, a representative of the Mount Curry First Nation were among the Canadian dignataries in Prague, the Czech Republic, for today's IOC announcement.

A BC business boom is an obvious benefit of the Olympics and many Aboriginal businesses are likely to find their voice through opportunities created by the games.

Despite treaty and other political challenges facing BC and First Nations, there has been a growing movement toward establishing business and economic development relationships to help Aboriginal communities share the wealth of the province's tourism industry.

Tourism is one of British Columbia’s largest industries, with overall revenues of $9.2 billion, and over 111,000 people employed province-wide in 2001

Earlier this year, the board of directors of the Aboriginal Tourism Association of BC (ATBC) passed a unanimous resolution endorsing the efforts to bring the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games to Canada.

“Our association looks for new and innovative ways to profile the richness and variety of Aboriginal tourism experiences throughout the province,” commented Richard Krentz, ATBC chair. “Our board feels the Vancouver 2010 Games will provide an excellent opportunity to increase awareness of BC’s unique Aboriginal cultures."

Ian Tait, director of community relations for the Vancouver 2010 Bid Corporation, in response to the resolution said, “ATBC’s support is important because it further highlights the role that BC’s Aboriginal community plays in both the cultural and economic component of the bid opportunity.”

Don Foxgord, vice-president of business development for Tourism BC said, “Tourism BC has worked with ATBC since its inception, and we believe their endorsement of the Vancouver 2010 Bid provides further evidence of how broad the support is for the bid throughout BC’s key tourism groups.”

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BACKGROUND
http://www.winter2010.com

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July 2, 2003

The Canadian Olympic Committee (COC) is overjoyed that the Olympic Winter Games will be returning to Canada in 2010 and enthusiastically congratulates Vancouver and Whistler on winning the right to host the 2010 Games, as announced by the International Olympic Committee
(IOC) earlier today.

Vancouver was selected over Salzburg, Austria and PyeongChang, South Korea by a majority of IOC members at a vote during the IOC's 115th Session in Prague, Czech Republic.

"Canada has a proud history of participation in the Olympic Games and the
Olympic Movement and we look forward to hosting the world in beautiful
Vancouver and Whistler in 2010," said COC President Michael Chambers. "The bid team did a tremendous job in creating an unbeatable sport concept for the Games and we commend them for their outstanding efforts. The COC will continue to work closely with its partners in Vancouver and Whistler over the next few months to oversee the creation of the organizing committee for the 2010 Olympic Winter Games."

To ensure Canadian athletes receive the support they need to have their
best performance ever at home in 2010, the COC is taking a lead role in
working with our sport partners, including government and national sport
federations, to create a model for sport in Canada that will realize that
result.

"Our goal is to see Canada continue to improve its performance at
international competitions with the potential to be a medals leader at the
2010 Olympic Winter Games in Vancouver," said Canadian Olympic Committee CEO Chris Rudge. "We hope to achieve this goal with the support of our Canadian sport funding partners and the commitment of the entire sport community in Canada."


The COC is a private, not-for-profit corporation and the largest private
funder of high performance sport in Canada. It is responsible for all aspects of Canada's involvement in the Olympic movement, including Canada's participation in the Olympic and Pan American Games. In addition, the COC manages a wide variety of programs that promote the Olympic Movement in Canada through cultural and educational means.

For more information see the COC website:

http://www.olympic.ca

[www.2010tourismnews.ca]

More Vancouver-Whistler 2010 Winter Olympics Information

http://www.2010tourismnews.ca

[www.turtleisland.org]

First Nations Benefit From Vancouver-Whistler 2010 Olympics

Multi million dollar project will showcase Squamish and Lil'wat First Nations culture and diversity

http://www.turtleisland.org/culture/cul ... istler.htm

[www.tiac-aitc.ca]

July 2, 2003

The success of Vancouver-Whistler's bid to host the 2010 Winter Olympic Games and Paralympic Games was greeted with enthusiasm and excitement by Canada's tourism industry, represented by the Tourism
Industry Association of Canada, following today's announcement in Prague by the International Olympic Committee.

"Hosting the 2010 Winter Olympic Games and Paralympic Games in Vancouver-Whistler will bring tremendous benefits to the Canadian tourism industry as a whole, not just in British Columbia, but in all provinces and territories," said TIAC Chair Peter Elmhirst. "It will provide substantial tourism product development opportunities and legacies that will serve our industry and visitors for decades following the Games."

"The 2010 Winter Olympics will provide an excellent opportunity to
showcase Canada to the world as a premier tourism destination both leading up to and during the Games," noted TIAC President and CEO Randy Williams. "And it will endow Canada with a lasting legacy that includes not only world-class sport and other facilities, but the international goodwill that comes from playing such a key role in promoting the passion, values and spirit of the Olympic Games."


Mr. Williams saluted the hard work and dedication of John Furlong,
President and CEO of the Vancouver 2010 Bid Corporation, and volunteer Jack Poole. "Thanks to the professionalism of everyone involved, Vancouver-Whistler submitted a quality bid whose merits were evidently recognized by the International Olympic Committee," he said. "And this despite facing some pretty stiff competition." Salzburg, Austria, and Pyeonchang, Korea, were also contending to host the 2010 Winter Games.

He pointed out that success also stemmed from broad-based support in the community, within the tourism industry and from three levels of government, which provided a bid budget of $34 million.


The Tourism Industry Association of Canada is the leading national
private-sector advocate for policies and programs that enhance the viability and sustainability of Canada's $52 billion tourism industry.

Visit its new website at

http://www.tiac-aitc.ca