Vancouver 2010 Olympians and Paralympians to celebrate past, present and future legacy of Games
VANCOUVER (February 6, 2020) – The Canadian Olympic Committee (COC) and Canadian Paralympic Committee (CPC) announced on Thursday that the upcoming Vancouver 2010 10th Anniversary Celebration Gala presented by RBC, Bell, Hudson’s Bay and Petro-Canada, will support the next generation of Olympic and Paralympic athletes with a focus on BC-based athletes, through National Sport Organizations, the Canadian Olympic Foundation, the Paralympic Foundation of Canada and other sport partners.
The Celebration Gala, in partnership with the COC, Canadian Olympic Foundation, CPC and the Paralympic Foundation of Canada, will take place on Saturday, February 22 and will be held at the Vancouver Convention Centre. The event will be supported by a star-studded lineup including Vancouver 2010 Olympians and Paralympians, Josh Dueck, Clara Hughes, Joannie Rochette, Karolina Wisniewska, Lauren Woolstencroft and Tessa Virtue. More names will be unveiled at a later date.
Vancouver 2010 served as an important turning point for sport in Canada. The gala will serve to not only sustain but also grow the momentum generated by those Games by helping raise money for the Canadian Olympic and Paralympic Foundations’ Next Generation funds. The event will be open to the public with the purchase of a table or a single ticket which can be done through vancouver2010.ca.
Led by co-chairs Canadian Olympic Committee President Tricia Smith, Canadian Paralympic Committee President Marc-André Fabien, John Furlong (CEO, Vancouver 2010 Olympic & Paralympic Winter Games) and Darlene Poole, this event will honour the legacy of these Games and all they continue to mean to all Canadians.
“The 2010 Games were transformative for the country, establishing Canada as a sporting nation,” said Tricia Smith, President of the Canadian Olympic Committee. “The gala will celebrate that achievement, probably get a little nostalgic, and then share in the excitement around what has been built on that legacy – from our best performances at both winter and summer Games and beyond – for a country changed. Thank you to all confirmed distinguished guests for your support for the event. We look forward to seeing you all on February 22.”
“We are so excited to celebrate the legacy of Vancouver 2010, but even more importantly recognize the future of sport in Canada,” said Marc-André Fabien, president, Canadian Paralympic Committee. “This celebration gala will have a direct impact on the next generation of athletes in Canada with all funds raised going towards the development of our country’s future champions. We look forward to welcoming everyone to the gala, and sharing how sport unites us all, and 10 years on from Vancouver, how we can continue to create a greater sport environment in Canada.”
Prior to the gala, the celebration will also include a free public fan festival to be held at Jack Poole Plaza. Programming will include opportunities to meet Vancouver 2010 Olympians and Paralympians, sport demonstrations and other family-friendly activities. Details will be announced on Wednesday, February 12, the 10-year anniversary of the Olympic Games Opening Ceremony.
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MEDIA CONTACTS:
Josh Su, Specialist, Public Relations
Canadian Olympic Committee
C: 647-464-4060
E: jsu@olympic.ca
Photi Sotiropoulos, Director, Communications and Media Relations
Canadian Olympic Committee
C: 416-476-9174
E: psotiropoulos@olympic.ca
Nicole Watts, Manager, Public Relations
Canadian Paralympic Committee
T: 613-569-4333 x262 / C: 613-462-2700
E: nwatts@paralympic.ca