June 21, 2006 – The Vancouver Organizing Committee for the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games (VANOC) is pleased to announce the Royal Canadian Mint as an Official Supporter in the Minting of Circulation, Precious Metal and Base Metal Numismatic and Bullion Coins product and service category.

The seven-year agreement provides the Royal Canadian Mint with Official Supporter rights for the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games, including rights for the Canadian Olympic Team for the Beijing 2008, Vancouver 2010 and London 2012 Games. The Mint’s commitment is valued at $15 million, which includes $2 million towards in kind goods and services. Under the terms of the new partnership, the Mint will produce the athlete medals for the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games. In addition, over the next several years, the Mint will offer circulation and numismatic coins and other related products to help promote the spirit of the Olympic and Paralympic Games across Canada.

“As we turn our attention to 2010, our employees at the Royal Canadian Mint are extremely proud to be contributing to such a significant initiative,” said Ian E. Bennett, President and CEO of the Royal Canadian Mint. “The Mint is known around the world for its excellence, innovation and high quality – all of which are characteristics that will embody the corporation’s Olympic program.”

“Together with the Mint, we share the vision to connect all Canadians to the excitement and passion of the Games. Thanks to the Mint’s variety of circulation and collector coins, every single Canadian will have the unique opportunity to physically touch and collect a piece of the Games,” said John Furlong, VANOC Chief Executive Officer. “In 2010, many of the most stirring moments will be when medals produced by the Mint are draped around the necks of many of the world’s greatest athletes.”

“The momentum is building for our 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games. Soon Canadians will be seeing the Mint’s coins in circulation featuring the Games, as well as other commemorative products,” said the Honourable David Emerson, Minister of International Trade and Minister for the Pacific Gateway and the Vancouver-Whistler Olympics. “The Mint also has the important job of producing the gold, silver and bronze medals for the winning athletes. As Minister responsible for the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games, I invite all Canadians to join in the excitement.”
“The determination and courage of Canada’s Olympic and Paralympic athletes will be clearly on display when Canada welcomes the world in 2010,” said the Honourable Lawrence Cannon, Minister of Transport, Infrastructure and Communities and Minister responsible for the Royal Canadian Mint. “This new partnership will celebrate both sport and athletic achievement.”

VANOC is responsible for the planning, organizing, financing and staging of the XXI Olympic Winter Games and the X Paralympic Winter Games in 2010. The 2010 Olympic Winter Games will be staged in Vancouver and Whistler from February 12 to 28, 2010. Whistler will host the Paralympic Winter Games from March 12 to 21, 2010. VANOC’s marketing program is focused on securing mutually rewarding partnerships with shared values to generate sufficient revenue to host successful Winter Games in 2010 and to leave a financial legacy for sport.

The Royal Canadian Mint, an ISO 9001-2000 certified company, is the Crown corporation responsible for the minting and distribution of Canada’s circulation coins. The Royal Canadian Mint is recognized as one of the largest and most versatile mints in the world, offering a wide range of specialized, high quality coinage products and related services on an international scale such as foreign circulation coins, numismatics, bullion and refinery services. For more information on the Royal Canadian Mint, its products and services, visit www.mint.ca.