Premier Robert Ghiz and John Furlong, Chief Executive Officer of the Vancouver Organizing Committee for the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Games, have signed a memorandum of understanding outlining Prince Edward Island's support for the 2010 Olympics in Vancouver.
Premier Ghiz said the partners recognize that hosting the 2010 Games in Vancouver represents an opportunity to promote Prince Edward Island on an international stage. The Games and surrounding activities will have a significant cultural component and will attract thousands of visitors and millions of television viewers from around the world. The memorandum of understanding (MOU) establishes a number of areas of support and potential joint activity including an intention to engage the people of the province in the torch relay.
“These Vancouver Olympics will enable our province to advance Prince Edward Island culture, tourism, economic development and sport initiatives throughout Canada and internationally,” says Premier Ghiz. “We will also be in a very good position to support the Olympic movement and to promote the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Games when we host the Canada Summer Games in Prince Edward Island in 2009.”
The MOU indicates that the 2009 Canada Summer Games represent an excellent training platform in the delivery of multisport games and will result in an inventory of trained staff and volunteers. The Province and the Vancouver Organizing Committee for the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Games (VANOC) will explore opportunities to cooperate on the recruitment of youth and employees to support VANOC during the preparation for and delivery of the Games.
“We are delighted to welcome PEI to our team and to the challenge of delivering memorable Winter Games in 2010,” said John Furlong. “The 2010 Games in Vancouver will be the culmination of a remarkable journey for Islanders, already proud hosts of the 2009 Canada Summer Games, as they join all Canadians on the world stage showcasing our unique culture and heritage to the people of the world.”
“We look forward to working with VANOC to advance the Olympic movement and promote the 2010 Games,” said Carolyn Bertram, Minister Responsible for Sport. “Prince Edward Island is quickly becoming recognized for our willingness and our ability to host major sporting events such as the upcoming Canada Games in 2009. We are very pleased to have the opportunity to work with VANOC, and to learn from their experience, as they prepare to welcome the world to Vancouver.”
“I am a firm believer that these are Canada’s Games and that hosting the Olympics is a national endeavor,” said Premier Ghiz. “Prince Edward Island will play a significant role in the Olympic movement, and this MOU clearly creates a continuing partnership in which we will explore opportunities to participate and collaborate.”
The 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Games have been awarded by the International Olympic Committee to the City of Vancouver and the resort Municipality of Whistler. VANOC is responsible for the planning, organizing, financing and staging of the Olympic Winter Games and the Paralympic Winter Games in 2010. Vancouver and Whistler will host the Winter Olympics from February 12 to 28, 2010 and the Paralympic Winter Games from March 12 to 21, 2010.