VANCOUVER
,
Oct. 2
/CNW/ - The
Vancouver
Organizing Committee for the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games (VANOC) congratulates the
Rio de Janeiro
Bid Committee for earning the honour today of hosting the Olympic and Paralympic
Summer Games
in 2016. It marks the first time a South American country will host the Games.
The Brazilian city was selected by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) at its 121st Session in
Copenhagen
,
Denmark
out of a pool of four cities that also included:
Madrid
,
Tokyo
and
Chicago
.
"We congratulate the people of
Rio de Janeiro
and
Brazil
in their successful bid to host the 2016 Games - the first time the Games will ever be held in
South America
," said
John Furlong
, VANOC Chief Executive Officer. "It's been six years since
Vancouver
earned the right to host the 2010 Winter Games and now our Games are less than five months away. We know full well the excitement you're feeling right now and the incredibly rewarding challenges that lie ahead. We look forward to sharing our experiences and knowledge with the IOC and the
Rio de Janeiro
Organizing Committee as they prepare to wow the world in 2016."
"We also wish future success to the cities of
Madrid
,
Tokyo
and
Chicago
who gave their hearts to this challenging endeavour. The world has recognized your passion for sport through this bidding process and your commitment to someday welcoming the world as hosts of the Games," he added. "In 2010, we look forward to welcoming all of you in
Canada
."
Furlong and VANOC's deputy CEO
Dave Cobb
are attending the IOC's 121st Session and XIII Olympic Congress this week in
Denmark
to present
Vancouver
2010's final pre-Games report on
October 7
.
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 for more information.
For further information: Media Contacts: Greg Alexis, VANOC Communications, Tel. (604) 403-1627, E-mail: [email protected]; Suzanne Walters, VANOC Communications (in Copenhagen from October 3), Tel. (604) 403-2386, E-mail: [email protected]
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