July 17, 2008 (Québec, QC) – “I am very pleased to announce that the Government of Québec has accepted the invitation of the Vancouver Organizing Committee for the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games (VANOC) and is proud to be joining the preparations for the 2010 Winter Games by contributing $5 million to VANOC,” the Premier of Québec, Jean Charest, announced today in the company of Gordon Campbell, Premier of British Columbia, David Guscott, VANOC Executive Vice President, Celebrations and Partnerships and Dominique Maltais, snowboarder and bronze medallist at the 2006 Olympic Winter Games in Torino.

Half of Québec’s financial contribution will go to the Own the Podium 2010 program, a sport technical initiative that supports Canadian athletes preparing for the Games. Another $750,000 will fund the Cultural Olympiad, which will include opportunities for Québec artists. The remaining $1.75 million will be dedicated to the following programs:

Рorganization of a Qu̩bec Day during the 2010 Winter Games to promote the province
Рenhanced involvement in the Qu̩bec portion of the Olympic Torch Relay, which will travel through the province prior to the Games
– encouragement of participation by First Nations peoples in the Games and in the preceding events
Рaccess to support from VANOC for planning and promoting Qu̩bec activities and events related to the Games
– organization of activities aimed at promoting tourism, trade and investment
– access to VANOC promotional materials and the Own the Podium 2010 program, including logos, promotion of educational opportunities, and volunteer activities related to sport, culture and healthy lifestyles

“Québec is well known for its quality programs in physical activity, recreation and sports, and high-performance sport in particular. There are also many Québec athletes competing in winter sport and representing Canada at the highest level,” declared Mr. Charest. “I am therefore delighted by the opportunity offered to us by VANOC to contribute to the successful staging of the 2010 Winter Games. The Games represent an unparalleled opportunity to showcase Québec and Québec athletes both in Canada and on the international stage,” he added.

According to the Minister of Education, Recreation and Sports, Michelle Courchesne, the benefits of the 2010 Winter Games will be considerable both for high-performance sport in Québec and for the promotion of sport culture among the general public. “It is important that we support our athletes who will participate in the 2010 Winter Games, and this is exactly what the Québec government is doing. Since 2005 and continuing to 2010, almost $30 million will be spent to support the Québec athletes who will be representing us in Vancouver and Whistler,” the Minister stated.

“We are proud to welcome Québec into the Vancouver 2010 family,” declared Mr. Guscott. “Québec has a great tradition of excellence in winter sport and has been a leader in developing inspiring Canadian winter athletes. This tradition will contribute greatly to the pride of Canadians in 2010. The 2010 Winter Games will celebrate the athletic achievements of Québec and will provide the province with an unequalled opportunity to tell the story of its unique history and demonstrate its distinctive personality to the world.”