Prime Minister Jean Chrétien reacted to the International Olympic Committee
vote that awarded the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games to Vancouver and
Whistler. He was in Prague, Czech Republic as part of the official Canadian
Delegation and helped deliver Canada's final presentation to the IOC.
"I wish to offer my congratulations to the delegations from
Salzburg, Austria and Pyeongchang, South Korea who delivered outstanding bids
for the 2010 Winter Games and who conducted themselves with dignity and
professionalism throughout the bidding process.
After five years of hard work and dedication by hundreds of Canadian
experts and volunteers, Canada's Bid Team has won the ultimate prize - the
right to host the world's foremost sporting event. For all Canadians, this is
both a victory and an honour.
Hosting the Games will bring significant economic and social benefits
for many years to come. Equally important is the opportunity to champion the
Olympic Charter and its call for a better and more peaceful world by educating
youth through sport.
The Vancouver-Whistler Bid is a great example of what can be
accomplished when we all work together - the three levels of government, First
Nations, the national Olympic and Paralympic committees and the private
sector. This is a team effort in every sense of the word and I'm delighted to
have been part of it.
In February, 2010, the finest winter athletes will gather in Vancouver
and Whistler for a world-class sport and cultural festival with a uniquely
Canadian character. Already, the Bid is a powerful rallying point for all
Canadians. That sense of pride will only get stronger as we work together to
deliver on the clear vision we presented to the IOC today.
Canadians look forward to welcoming the world in 2010."
