May 17, 2006 – The Canadian Olympic Committee (COC) announced today that it has appointed two-time Olympic medallist, International Olympic Committee (IOC) member and IOC Athletes’ Commission member Beckie Scott to the Board of Directors of the Vancouver Organizing Committee for the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games (VANOC).

Scott became eligible to sit on the VANOC Board following her appointment as an IOC member in February. The VANOC governing bylaws state that all Canadian IOC members are to be included in the COC’s appointments to the Board. The COC has the right to appoint seven persons to the Board. In order to create a position for Scott’s appointment, two-time Olympic gold medallist Catriona Le May Doan has graciously agreed to resign her position on the Board. The effective date of Scott’s appointment will be prior to the next VANOC Board meeting in July.

“The COC is pleased to appoint Beckie Scott to the VANOC Board of Directors,” said COC President Michael Chambers. “We look forward to Beckie providing a unique perspective on athlete issues leading up to 2010. We are confident that her Olympic Winter Games experience, IOC Athletes’ Commission voice and unparalleled anti-doping advocacy background will be a great asset to the VANOC Board.”

In 2002, Scott, from Vermilion, Alta., became the first North American woman to win an Olympic medal in cross-country skiing. She joins six other COC representatives on the VANOC Board including Chambers, Vice-President Walter Sieber, five-time Olympian and 1984 Olympic silver medallist Charmaine Crooks, former Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Westcoast Energy Inc. Michael Phelps, IOC member Richard Pound and Chief Executive Officer Chris Rudge.

Scott was elected to the IOC Athletes’ Commission on February 23 during the final week of the 2006 Olympic Winter Games. Following a formal approval process by the IOC Board, she became Canada’s second IOC member, joining Pound.

“I am honoured to have been invited by the Canadian Olympic Committee to serve on the Board of Directors for the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games,” said Scott. “Over the past three years, Catriona Le May Doan has done an outstanding job representing the interests of all athletes competing in 2010. I am looking forward to the opportunity of working alongside many exceptional sport and business leaders who serve on the VANOC board and I will endeavour to build on the foundation left by Catriona.”

A four-time Olympian, Le May Doan was appointed to the VANOC Board of Directors in September 2003.

“I’d like to thank the Canadian Olympic Committee for granting me this unique opportunity to be a part of the planning process for the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games,” said Le May Doan. “The 2010 Games in Vancouver will showcase the very best in Canadian sport and I am confident that Beckie’s experience, character and integrity will be a valuable asset to the VANOC Board of Directors.”

“On behalf of the Canadian Olympic Committee, I’d like to express our sincere appreciation to Catriona Le May Doan for her contribution to the success of the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games as a member of the VANOC Board over the course of the past three years,” added Chambers. “Catriona’s membership on the VANOC Board from its beginning in 2003 to now provided the Board with the necessary specialized insight into the Games requirements of an Olympic winter athlete. We look forward to her continued involvement in the Olympic Movement.”

The VANOC Board of Directors consists of a total of 20 members nominated by the Government of Canada, the Province of British Columbia, the City of Vancouver, the Resort Municipality of Whistler, the COC, the Canadian Paralympic Committee and local First Nations.

The Canadian Olympic Committee is a national, private, not-for-profit organization committed to sport excellence. 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 and a wide variety of programs that promote the Olympic Movement in Canada through cultural and educational means. For more information see the COC website: www.olympic.ca.