Vancouver 2010 Official Souvenir Program now on sale across Canada

VANCOUVER, Nov. 13 /CNW/ - Celebrated Canadian authors Douglas Coupland and Roch Carrier are among the major contributors to the Vancouver 2010 Official Souvenir Program, which goes on sale this week across Canada.

Designed as a keepsake for Canadians and visiting spectators, the program - in both English and French editions - contains a compelling mix of stories and features capturing the unique spirit of the Vancouver 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games, the athletes and memorable moments from past Games. The 148-page program, priced at $17.85 Cdn. plus taxes, also includes a comprehensive guide to Games venues, schedules, sports, and maps.

"This publication featuring some of this country's best writers is a great souvenir and introduction to the Vancouver 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games for spectators and Games fans alike," said Dennis Kim, director of licensing and merchandising for the Vancouver Organizing Committee for the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games (VANOC). "Whether you're looking for information or inspiration, this program delivers and also shows a real sense of the spirit and excitement of Canada's Games!"

The Vancouver 2010 Official Souvenir Program is available at Olympic Stores in Vancouver, Whistler, at the Vancouver International Airport, and online at www.vancouver2010.com/store. They are also available, along with several other Games-related VANOC licensed publications, at the Olympic Superstore at the Bay Downtown Vancouver, as well as Hudson's Bay Company stores, and select retailers across Canada.

The program was produced by Vancouver-based Glacier Media Inc. under exclusive license from VANOC.

    Among the major highlights:

    -   The complete Olympic Games competition schedule, sport profiles for
        each Olympic sport, maps showing the location of the competition and
        ceremonies venues in Vancouver and Whistler, and a variety of light-
        hearted trivia and information about the 2010 Games.
    -   International bestselling novelist and Vancouverite Douglas Coupland,
        author of Generation X: Tales for an Accelerated Culture and The Gum
        Thief, takes readers on a vivid journey through his Vancouver;
    -   Quebec novelist Roch Carrier, author of the Canadian classic The
        Hockey Sweater, traces hockey's historic roots and its significance
        in today's Canada;
    -   Acclaimed Canadian TV sportscaster Brian Williams shares his most
        cherished memories of past Olympic Winter Games;
    -   Allan Maki, a sports columnist at The Globe and Mail, uncovers the
        stories of remarkable Paralympians achieving remarkable results in
        their sports and private lives;
    -   Stephen Brunt, also a sports columnist at The Globe and Mail,
        examines the lasting values and true ideals embodied by athletes in
        previous Games; and
    -   National Basketball Association (NBA) superstar Steve Nash shares his
        memories of competing for Canada at an Olympic Games.

"The history of hockey is also the history of Canada," explained Carrier. "One of the fascinating aspects about hockey is how diverse communities within our great country contributed to create our game. Right now our hockey players are preparing to showcase their skills to the world and it's an honour for me to have been invited to reflect on our treasured sport."Coupland added: "It dawned on me in the middle of this that the Olympics was going to be happening maybe a mile from my front door, and that doesn't happen too often. So I cancelled the trip to Hawaii. I'm here."

About VANOC

VANOC is responsible for the planning, organizing, financing and staging of the XXI Olympic Winter Games and the X Paralympic Winter Games in 2010. The 2010 Olympic Winter Games will be staged in Vancouver and Whistler from February 12 to 28, 2010. Vancouver and Whistler will host the Paralympic Winter Games from March 12 to 21, 2010. Visit www.vancouver2010.com.

About Glacier Media Inc.

Glacier Media Inc. (GVC-T) is a dynamic, Vancouver-headquartered information communications company focused on delivering news, information and related services in print and online.

Glacier, listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange, is pursuing this strategy through two core business segments: local newspaper and trade information markets, and business and professional information markets. These operations include: BIV Media Group, Glacier Newspaper Group, Business Information Group, Western Producer Publications, Farm Business Communications, and JuneWarren Publishing. The operations in the business and professional information group include Specialty Technical Publishers, CD-Pharma, Eco Log, and a joint venture interest in Fundata.

/NOTE TO PHOTO EDITORS: A photo accompanying this release is available at http://photos.newswire.ca. Images are free to accredited members of the media/

For further information: Media Contacts: Darlene Small, VANOC Communications, Tel: (604) 403-3535, E-mail: darlene_small@vancouver2010.com; Paul Harris (for author availability), Managing Editor, Official Souvenir Program, Glacier Media, Tel: (604) 608-5156, E-mail: pharris@glaciermedia.ca