July 2, 2003 (Prague, Czech Republic) – The Canadian Olympic Committee (COC) is overjoyed that the Olympic Winter Games will be returning to Canada in 2010 and enthusiastically congratulates Vancouver and Whistler on winning the right to host the 2010 Games, as announced by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) earlier today. Vancouver was selected over Salzburg, Austria and PyeongChang, South Korea by a majority of IOC members at a vote during the IOCís 115th Session in Prague, Czech Republic.

“Canada has a proud history of participation in the Olympic Games and the Olympic Movement and we look forward to hosting the world in beautiful Vancouver and Whistler in 2010,” said COC President Michael Chambers. “The bid team did a tremendous job in creating an unbeatable sport concept for the Games and we commend them for their outstanding efforts. The COC will continue to work closely with its partners in Vancouver and Whistler over the next few months to oversee the creation of the organizing committee for the 2010 Olympic Winter Games.”

To ensure Canadian athletes receive the support they need to have their best performance ever at home in 2010, the COC is taking a lead role in working with our sport partners, including government and national sport federations, to create a model for sport in Canada that will realize that result.

“Our goal is to see Canada continue to improve its performance at international competitions with the potential to be a medals leader at the 2010 Olympic Winter Games in Vancouver,” said Canadian Olympic Committee CEO Chris Rudge. “We hope to achieve this goal with the support of our Canadian sport funding partners and the commitment of the entire sport community in Canada.”

The COC is a private, not-for-profit corporation and the largest private funder of high performance sport in Canada. 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. In addition, the COC manages 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 .