Schoolchildren to be the first to meet the Vancouver 2010 mascots
Children's launch celebration planned for November 27 in Surrey, British Columbia
Vancouver, BC - Who are the mascots for the Vancouver 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games? More than 800 schoolchildren will be the first to find out at a fun-filled event to be held in Surrey, BC, at the Bell Performing Arts Centre, on November 27. The rest of Canada and the world will also meet the mascots the same day through an interactive online mascot program launch at vancouver2010.com as well as /EDU, the site's educational portal (vancouver2010.com/edu).
"The mascot launch is a much-anticipated celebration leading up to the Games. The mascots will become cherished icons - especially for children - and symbols of our Games, our country and our moment on the world stage," said John Furlong, Chief Executive Officer of the Vancouver Organizing Committee for the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games (VANOC). "They are a playful way to engage a young audience and increase their understanding of the Olympic and Paralympic Games, and we hope they will spark excitement, laughter and cheers from children and adults alike."
Attending this special event will be more than 800 children from grades three to five, representing eight schools in the 2010 Winter Games host region. Participating schools were selected with assistance from regional school trustees.
The introduction of the mascots is a major milestone on the road to the 2010 Winter Games. The mascots are a key component of any Games identity, always highly sought after for photos by children and Games enthusiasts. As ambassadors of the Olympic and Paralympic Games, the mascots will make appearances across Canada immediately following their introduction, bringing fun and goodwill to events leading up to the start of the Games. At Games time, these captivating characters will offer a warm welcome to Olympians, Paralympians and visitors from around the world as they arrive in Vancouver and Whistler.
“The city of Surrey is proud to host the first-ever meeting with the Vancouver 2010 mascots," said Surrey Mayor Dianne Watts. "We want to extend a warm welcome to everyone who will be here for this historic event. Surrey is pleased to support the Vancouver 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games and we are delighted to share in this moment."
While children are meeting the mascots in person for the first time, the mascots will be simultaneously introduced to the rest of Canada and the world via an online mascot program at vancouver2010.com. The program is projected to reach millions of children and adults before the 2010 Winter Games begin - both in Canada and around the world. vancouver2010.com will engage visitors through interactive web features including games, video, and stories about the mascot characters that will draw children of all ages into the excitement of the Games experience.
vancouver2010.com/edu, a portal dedicated to connecting teachers, students and schools across Canada while celebrating the spirit of the 2010 Winter Games, will also feature the mascots in its December e-magazine issue.
Since the first official mascot debuted at the Munich 1972 Summer Games, mascots have become popular and memorable symbols of the Olympic and Paralympic Games. They help to educate by telling the unique story of the Games and are often a reflection of the history, land and culture of the host region and country. They also embody the ideals of the Olympic and Paralympic Movements, bringing to life the spirit of friendship, fair play and participation. Previous Games mascots can be viewed in the photo gallery at vancouver2010.com/mascot, where additional information about the search for the mascot artist can also be found.
Media will be invited to attend the launch of the mascots and a media advisory will be issued in the near future.
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