VANCOUVER,BC–The Vancouver Organizing Committee for the 2010 Olympic andParalympic Winter Games (VANOC) successfully completed itsoperational testing today at the 2009 IPC Biathlon &Cross-Country World Cup which ran from March 4 to 7. Whileenthusiastic fans made their way to Whistler Olympic/Paralympic Parkto cheer on the world’s best Paralympic cross-country and biathlonathletes, VANOC staff tested field of play and Games-time operations,in addition to training potential Games-time volunteers. The venuewill also host the upcoming IBU World Cup Biathlon from March 11 to15.
“We’vehad very positive feedback from athletes, coaches and our Paralympictechnical delegates about this venue,” said John Aalberg, director,Nordic sports, Whistler Olympic/Paralympic Park. “We worked closelywith the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) on design, layoutand technical components of the venue and the competition courses tobuild a venue that is both challenging and rewarding for Paralympicskiers with the best overall physical, technical and tactical skiingabilities.”
Theevent was part of the IPC’s 2008–09 World Cup season, involving120 competing athletes from 19 countries. It was also the first timethe Canadian Para-Nordic Team competed on the competition courses inthe Callaghan Valley that will host Paralympic Winter Games events in2010.
CanadianParalympian Brian McKeever, who finished first in the men’scross-country middle-distance classic race on Thursday, was pleasedwith his overall experience. “From what we’ve seen here so far,it’s above and beyond what we usually see at an IPC World Cup.Obviously, it’s being geared up for next year [2010], and that’sgood to see,” said McKeever.
Testingat Whistler Olympic/Paralympic Park and Whistler focused primarily onfield of play and overall venue operations.
Fieldof Play
Groomingand technical standards of preparation for Paralympic cross-countryand biathlon competition courses were tested during the event.Designed to host both Olympic and Paralympic events in 2010, coursesmeet IPC requirements in terms of length and flow. To date, thevenue’s competition courses have proven extremely successful inbeing able to adapt to the needs many different skiers using avariety of equipment.
“Whatwe see here is absolutely what our needs are for Paralympic sport.The fact that we are on the Olympic course most of the time shows youthe level of our athletes,” said Hans Peter Neeser, IPC technicaldelegate from Switzerland. “From the beginning, all of our needshave been seriously taken into consideration by the OrganizingCommittee, and that’s the first time I’ve seen this.”
Withcompetitions that ran back to back, and with much of the courseviewable from the stadium, spectators were provided with a thrillingexperience overall.
VANOCalso tested the temporary air and laser rifle range for Paralympicbiathlon, with excellent results.
VenueOperations
Thevenue provided full accessibility for spectators and athletes, withdrop-off and loading locations less than 100 metres from theathletes’ compound and the spectator-accessible viewing platform.Members of VANOC’s Venue team worked to address issues around thetransport of Paralympic athletes to ensure availability of anadequate number of wheelchair-accessible vehicles.
Athletesand team officials made use of the secure, accessible athletes’compound, including 27 wax cabins, wax-testing trails and athletes’lounge. The wax cabins provided a space for teams to prepare and testskis, matching skis and wax to snow conditions and the type ofcompetition; some athletes brought up to 10 pairs of skis each. Theathletes’ lounge, located at Whistler Olympic/Paralympic Park’sday lodge, offered an accessible resting space for athletes with astretching area, change rooms and meals.
Workforce
Aworkforce of approximately 400 (273 volunteers and 126 VANOC staff)took part in the event; almost 70 of those volunteers were returnvolunteers, who assisted with Nordic sport events held at the venuein January. Volunteers came from across British Columbia and beyond,including one ski patrol volunteer who travelled all the way fromIndiana.
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