September 22, 2007 (Vancouver, B.C.) – Vancouver Mayor Sam Sullivan, City Manager Judy Rogers, Korina Houghton, Commissioner – Vice Chair, Vancouver Park Board, and Canadian Olympic Committee (COC) President Michael Chambers signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) in Vancouver today that outlines opportunities for cooperation prior to, during and after the Vancouver 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games.

COC Executive Committee member and Olympian Tricia Smith, along with figure skater Mira Leung, an Olympian in 2006, were also in attendance, along with representatives from the City and from the COC.

The Memorandum of Understanding establishes a framework for the COC and the City of Vancouver to work together to identify and realize opportunities for mutual benefit through hosting the Vancouver 2010 Winter Games.

“We want to maximize the opportunities associated with hosting the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games,” said Mayor Sullivan. “In addition to being a catalyst for important social investments, the Games are an opportunity to celebrate excellence and everything we love about Vancouver, British Columbia and Canada. I look forward to working with the Canadian Olympic Committee and all our other partners as we countdown to 2010.”

“The Vancouver 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Games will be a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for Vancouver residents to support and engage with Canadian athletes as they reach for the podium,” said Chambers. “The Canadian Olympic Committee is proud of this partnership with the City of Vancouver and looks forward to continuing to work together as we draw ever closer to the Games in 2010.”

The opportunities for collaboration leading up to, during and post Games include:

– A Host Program for Canadian athletes and their families to create memorable experiences for all parties
– A Canada Olympic House in Vancouver, a ‘home away from home’ for Canadian athletes and their families
– A familiarization program to provide athletes and mission staff with a thorough understanding of Vancouver
– Vancouver test event and training opportunities for athletes and coaches
– Community engagement activities such as face-to-face engagement between athletes and children at venues such as community centres and schools
– Celebration events and Canadian athlete appearances at the downtown Vancouver Live Site in 2010.

The MOU is the third cooperation protocol to be signed by the City in preparation of the 2010 Winter Games. Agreements have also been signed with the Four Host First Nations and Tourism Vancouver. The fourth, currently being developed, is between Vancouver and the Resort Municipality of Whistler.