Quick Facts about the 2010 Olympics in B.C

2010 Olympic Winter Games and Vancouver Fun Trivia & Traveler Info

© Tracey Drake

Sep 20, 2009

The Vancouver Olympics 2010 are getting closer and many people are planning to visit British Columbia to get in on the action. All over the world people are preparing themselves to cheer on their countries and star athletes in the world’s most famous winter sports competition.

About the Winter Olympics 2010

For Canadians and international visitors who are planning to attend the Vancouver 2010, the events are just a few months away and anticipation is mounting. The following are some fun and interesting facts about the 2010 Olympic games and the country that is hosting them.

Interesting Facts about the Olympics In General

• The torch and uniforms for the Olympics were unveiled on February 12 2009.
• The torch relay at the 2010 Winter Olympics is set to be the longest relay in Olympic history.
• Both the Winter Olympics and the Paralympics in Vancouver are being organised by the Vancouver Organising Committee (VANOC).
• Ghana, Bahamas, Gabon and The Cayman Islands will make their Winter Olympic Debut in 2010.
• The 2010 Winter Olympics will be the 3rd Olympics that Canada has hosted but the first in the province of British Columbia.
• Event tickets for the Vancouver Olympics 2010 went on sale on October 3rd 2008.
• Many events at the Winter Olympics 2010 will be hosted in Whistler including at the Whistler Olympic Park.
• The Vancouver Winter Olympics will be the 21st Winter Olympic games.
• The security budget for the events is said to be $900 million over five times higher than the original estimate.
• The event will be officially opened by Canadian Governor General Michaelle Jean.
• The number of participating countries who are sending Olympic athletes to Vancouver 2010 will exceed 80.
• The estimated total cost of the Vancouver Olympics 2010 is currently set at $1.76 Billion.

Ten Fun Facts about Vancouver and Its Role in the 2010 Olympic Winter Games

1. The average temperature in February in Vancouver is 13.4°C (56.1°F).
2. The Olympic flag will be on display at Vancouver City Hall.
3. The call for Olympic volunteers program launched in 2008 requested 25,000 volunteers to help with the 2010 Olympic Games.
4. The opening and closing ceremony for the games will be held at BC Place Stadium.
5. Because BC Place stadium is a stadium with a solid roof, it is the first time that the Olympic torch will be lit indoors.
6. The mascots for the Winter Olympics are Miga (a mythical sea bear) and Quatchi (Sasquatch).
7. The Paralympics mascot is Sumi (an animal guardian spirit).
8. The three main Olympic venues cost $580 million to build.
9. The Vancouver Olympic 2010 logo was announced on April 23rd 2005 and is called Ilanaaq the Inunnguaq.
10. Sam Sullivan, the mayor of Vancouver received the Olympic flag.

With all of this happening in Vancouver, the Winter Olympic Games promise to be an event not to be missed. The money and planning that has been used in setting up these extraordinary events has been immense. It is shaping up to be an amazing event and a feather in the caps of the Canadian Olympic Committee and VANOC.

Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympic Games

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