Olympic Times – Sports Daily

With only two days left in the Phase 1 Request
Period of the Vancouver 2010 Olympic Winter Games ticketing program, the
Vancouver Organizing Committee for the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter
Games (VANOC) is advising Canadians not to wait until the last moment before
requesting tickets. This is the public’s best chance to request tickets; the
deadline is midnight, on Friday, November 7, 2008 (Pacific Time).
“Interest and new accounts have been increasing every day, and clearly
Canadians are enthusiastic about attending the Games. Our data shows that they
are taking some time to complete their requests and are building their ticket
requests over several days as they consider their options with friends and
family,” said Caley Denton, vice-president, ticketing and consumer marketing.
“So with only two days remaining, our message is simple: this is your best
chance to get Olympic tickets, so give yourself enough time and don’t wait
until the last minute.”

“I hope that our Canadian Olympic Team will have stands full of cheering
fans for all of the action. The Olympic Winter Games will have it all, and
there’s no emotion like being there when it happens,” said Nathalie Lambert, a
four-time Olympic medallist in speed skating, and chef de mission for the
Canadian Olympic Team for the Vancouver 2010 Olympic Winter Games.

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. Please visit www.vancouver2010.com for
more information.

For more quotes from Canadian Olympic athletes, please see the background
document attached.

Background information (Canadian Olympic athletes’ quotes)

Other Canadian athletes echoed Nathalie Lambert about the positive impact
of having stands full of cheering Canadian fans at Vancouver 2010 Olympic
Winter Games events:

“Our backyard will become the greatest stage the world has ever seen for
winter sport, and I can’t wait to hear the Canadian fans cheer us on. It will
be truly incredible.” Steve Omischl, two-time Olympian, freestyle skiing.

“I’ll never forget the feeling of being on the start line in my first
Olympic Games. With all of Canada urging me forward and giving me
strength…it gave me wings on the day. The thought of competing in my own
country inspires me each and every day as I prepare for the race of my life,
in Canada at the Olympic Games.” Clara Hughes, five-time Olympic Winter Games
medallist, speed skating.

“I have not experienced anything more exciting than playing in front of
20,000 passionate Canadian hockey fans. It’s like having the seventh man on
your side. It gives you that little bit of extra energy when the tank is
empty,” Hayley Wickenheiser, three-time Olympic Winter Games medallist, ice
hockey.

“The only thing that will help us more than home-field advantage in 2010
is having that home field filled with loud, crazy Canadian fans. I’m still in
my sport because the next Olympic Games are here at home, in Canada. I want to
perform my best and represent all Canadians – right to the top of the podium.”
Jeff Pain, Olympic Winter Games medallist, skeleton.

source: newswire.ca