Vancouver 2010 reveals stylish, practical workforce uniform for the Games

Wave blue and navy uniform produced by Hudson's Bay Company

VANCOUVER, Oct. 13 /CNW/ - Looking for a Vancouver 2010 employee or volunteer during the Games? Keep your eyes peeled for people wearing bright blue winter jackets with the Olympic Rings or Paralympic agitos on the back.

The jackets, in a vibrant blue called Wave with a subtle pattern found in the Look of the Games, were revealed today as part of the official workforce uniform by the Vancouver Organizing Committee for the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games (VANOC) and the Hudson's Bay Company, which designed and produced the six-piece set.

In addition to the waterproof jackets, the estimated 30,000 members of the workforce, including volunteers, will be kitted out with navy pants, as well as a toque, two long-sleeve inner layer T-shirts with the same pattern as the jacket and a vest (all in Wave) - perfect for layering. Three specific staff groups will also be uniquely identified with full sleeve armbands for easy recognition: medical in red, event services in yellow and anti-doping personnel in purple.

The Vancouver 2010 workforce uniform was designed by the Hudson's Bay Company design team, led by fashion director Suzanne Timmins, in collaboration with VANOC. The palette of blues is inspired by the breathtaking scenery of the Sea to Sky region linking Whistler and Vancouver, the Host Mountain Resort and Host City of the 2010 Winter Games, respectively.

"Designing a workforce uniform for the Winter Games is a tough task," said John Furlong, VANOC's CEO. "They need to be functional and warm with lots of layers for working in all types of weather and they need to be stylish and show up against a white landscape. The Hudson's Bay Company has once again hit it out of the park, after the successful launch of the 2010 Canadian Olympic Team apparel, and produced a uniform that our workforce will be proud to wear and will always treasure as a keepsake of the Games."

Jeff Sherman, CEO of the Hudson's Bay Company, added: "Much like the official 2010 Canadian Olympic Team uniform and torchbearer uniforms, we wanted to create something timeless in style yet functional for the role with great attention to detail, including the latest fabric technology. And, as always, we worked to create a keepsake for every individual who will welcome the world to Vancouver and Whistler as part of Canada's Games."

The fingertip-length jacket is standard for all workforce members and features a high collar to keep out the wind and snow, attached full hood, silver reflective details, and a slightly longer back length for warmth. The only difference between city and mountain workforce uniforms is the pants.

The heavier "mountain pants" are designed for colder weather on Cypress Mountain and in Whistler and are made out of the same waterproof fabric as the jacket and have fully-taped seams, reinforced knees and ankles, and a breathable lining. Vancouver 2010 is written down the right leg in reflective silver. The lighter weight "city pants" are wrinkle resistant and have Vancouver 2010 written in a slant across the right back pocket. The workforce can supplement their uniform with their own choice of gloves and footwear and they may also purchase a coordinating backpack for $50 including tax if they choose.

An ingenious twist in the design allows the uniforms to be used for both the Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games - a significant cost savings. On the back of the jacket, six snaps are positioned to allow a patch with the Paralympic agitos to cover the Olympic Rings come March and the beginning of the Paralympic Winter Games. On the front of the jacket, a Velcro and rubber patch will enable the wearer to switch out the Vancouver 2010 Olympic emblem for the Paralympic emblem.

The clothing is made out of eco-friendly bamboo, cotton and spandex (T-shirts), acrylic (toque), polyester (vest), and nylon with polyurethane coating (jacket and mountain pants). Workforce members will officially start wearing the Olympic uniform on February 4, 2010 and the Paralympic uniform on March 6, 2010.

The cost of the workforce uniforms is funded through the Hudson's Bay Company's value-in-kind sponsorship agreement with VANOC as described in the Organizing Committee's business plan.

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 the Hudson's Bay Company

Hudson's Bay Company is a Premier National Partner and the General Retail Merchant of the Vancouver 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games. In partnership with Vancouver Organizing Committee for the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games (VANOC), the company is designing and manufacturing the official uniforms for the Games-time workforce; it will also be outfitting the athletes' villages, in both Vancouver and Whistler, with quality products to make the athletes comfortable in 2010.

/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: Darlene Small, VANOC Communications, (604) 403-3535, darlene_small@vancouver2010.com; Shari Burnett, Hudson's Bay Company, (604) 623-3007, Shari.burnett@karyo-edelman.com