REMINDER
Governor General to Open the Vancouver 2010 Olympic Winter Games
OTTAWA—Their Excellencies the Right Honourable Michaëlle Jean, Governor General of Canada, and Mr. Jean-Daniel Lafond will be in Vancouver and Whistler, British Columbia, from February 9 to 15, 2010, to attend the XXI Olympic Winter Games.
The Governor General will open the Games before thousands of athletes and dignitaries from the four corners of the globe at the opening ceremony, on Friday, February 12.
“The time has come to welcome the world to the cities of Vancouver and Whistler, which will become venues of the highest calibre for athletic competition,” said the Governor General. “This wonderful, global meeting-place of the Olympic Games will break down barriers of indifference and create a forum of solidarity to celebrate athletic excellence.”
Their Excellencies will meet with Canadian and foreign athletes, in a spirit of fraternity and solidarity, to celebrate their perseverance, courage and Olympic spirit. Their Excellencies will also have the opportunity to visit with some of the 4 500 Canadian troops assisting the Royal Canadian Mounted Police with security measures at the Games.
During the Games, Their Excellencies will attend sporting competitions as well as artistic performances presented as part of the Cultural Olympiad.
Enclosed is the detailed itinerary of Their Excellencies’ visit to Vancouver and Whistler during the Games (local time):
Friday, February 12
Vancouver, British Columbia
3:45 p.m.
Reception for Foreign Heads of State and Heads of Government
Their Excellencies together with the Right Honourable Stephen Harper, Prime Minister of Canada, and his wife, Mrs. Laureen Harper will host a reception to officially welcome foreign heads of State and heads of Government to the Vancouver 2010 Olympic Winter Games.
During the reception, the Governor General and the Prime Minister will deliver speeches.
Fairmont Hotel Vancouver, 900 West Georgia Street
OPEN TO MEDIA - Media are required to present proper identification for accreditation. (British Columbia Media Center or VANOC or network Accreditation).
6 p.m.
Opening Ceremony of the Vancouver 2010 Olympic Winter Games
Their Excellencies and their daughter, Marie-Éden, will attend the Opening Ceremony of the Vancouver 2010 Olympic Winter Games during which the Governor General will declare the Games open.
BC Place Stadium, Vancouver
OPEN TO ACCREDITED MEDIA ONLY
Saturday, February 13
Vancouver, British Columbia
8:15 a.m.
Breakfast in Honour of the Journée de la Francophonie
At the invitation of the Honourable Gordon Campbell, Premier of British of Columbia, Their Excellencies will attend a breakfast to mark the Journée de la Francophonie. The Governor General will deliver a speech on this occasion.
Terminal City Club, Vancouver
OPEN TO MEDIA
1:30 p.m.
Visit to the Place de la Francophonie
Their Excellencies and Marie-Éden will visit the Place de la Francophonie on Granville Island, where they will have the opportunity to participate in artistic and cultural performances.
Granville Island, Vancouver
OPEN TO MEDIA
Sunday, February 14 Whistler, British Columbia
11 a.m.
Fireplace Chat with Athletes at Whistler Olympic Village
Their Excellencies and Marie-Éden will be welcomed by the Mayor of the Olympic Village, on the Plaza Venue. The Governor General will speak to Canadian and international athletes gathered around a fireplace and discuss the Olympic spirit.
Plaza Venue, Whistler Olympic Village, Whistler
OPEN TO OLYMPIC ACCREDITED MEDIA ONLY – Media wishing to obtain more information on access rules in effect on this site must contact the Whistler Olympic Village Venue Media Centre at 604-402-7451.
12:30 p.m.
Visit to Joint Task Force Games Operation Centre and Lunch with Canadian Troops
Upon her arrival at Calcheak Camp in Whistler, the Governor General will be welcomed by Rear-Admiral Tyrone Pile, Commander Joint Task Force Games, for a tour of the operations centre, followed by a luncheon with the troops. The Governor General will take this opportunity to thank the Canadian troops for their work in ensuring security throughout the Games.
The Joint Task Force Games is responsible for supporting RCMP security operations throughout the Vancouver 2010 Olympic Winter Games. During the Games, the Canadian Forces will provide security through land-based operations near Olympic venues, maritime surveillance of the seaward approaches and coastal areas, and air mobility support and surveillance. Approximately 4,500 Canadian Forces personnel from across Canada and from all three services are involved in the Games.
Calcheak Camp, Whistler
CLOSED TO MEDIA
Monday, February 15
Whistler, British Columbia
10 a.m.
Visit to the Squamish Lil'wat Cultural Centre
Upon their arrival at the Squamish Lil'wat Cultural Centre, in Whistler, Their Excellencies and Marie-Éden will be welcomed with the sounds of traditional drumming. They will tour the exhibit, which recounts the history of the Lil'wat Nation and the Squamish Nation, and will attend a cultural performance.
The Squamish Lil'wat Cultural Centre—where mountains, rivers and people meet—embodies the spirit of partnership between the two nations and their common values of preserving and sharing their traditional cultures. It stands as a testimony to their proud heritage, from time immemorial to the present.
Squamish Lil'wat Cultural Centre, Whistler
OPEN TO MEDIA
– 30 –
Please note that this itinerary is subject to change without notice.
Media Information:
Marie-Ève Létourneau
Rideau Hall Press Office
613-302-0912 (cell)
meletourneau@gg.ca
Marthe Blouin
Official spokesperson to the Governor General of Canada
613-301-3379 (cell)
mblouin@gg.ca
