February 9, 2009
OTTAWA—Their Excellencies the Right Honourable Michaëlle Jean, Governor General of Canada, and Mr. Jean-Daniel Lafond will host a one-of-a-kind event to mark the one year countdown to the 2010 Winter Olympic Games in Vancouver, British Columbia. This celebration will take place at Rideau Hall, on Thursday, February 12, 2009, from 12:30 to 3:30 p.m.
Their Excellencies will welcome 200 children from Canada’s Capital Region and Canadian Olympic medallists Elizabeth Manley, Gaétan Boucher and Nancy Greene Raine, Canadian Paralympic medallist Todd Nicholson as well as hopeful for the 2010 Games Véronique Fortin. To kick off the countdown, the Governor General will deliver a brief speech and unveil a prototype of the 2010 Olympic torch at 12:30 p.m.
The grounds of Rideau Hall will become centre stage to outdoor winter activities in the presence of the 2010 Winter Olympics mascots Sumi, Quatchi, and Miga. Artistic performances by Suzie McNeil and Ima will also mark this special occasion.
This event is presented in collaboration with the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games Federal Secretariat of the Department of Canadian Heritage.
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In case of inclement weather, this activity will be modified and will take place inside Rideau Hall.
Media information
Marie-Ève Létourneau
Rideau Hall Press Office
613-998-0287
www.gg.ca
www.citizenvoices.gg.ca
Department of Canadian Heritage
Media Relations
819-994-9101
1-866-569-6155
media@pch.gc.ca
