The Vancouver Organizing Committee for the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games (VANOC) ended 2007 with several exciting plans for 2008.

Two year countdown celebrations, venue construction, the Cultural Olympiad 2008 and Torch Relays were just some of the important topics addressed within VANOC’s quarterly report released at the end of last year.

The report stated that by 2008 construction would be completed on all sport venues for the 2010 Winter Games, providing access for both high performance athlete training and recreational use. And the Cultural Olympiad 2008, from 1 February to 21 March, is well underway with more than 300 performances and ten exhibitions taking place all over Canada.

VANOC will also release details about the Torch Relays, including the routes, themes, partners and public application process. Tickets to the 2010 Winter Games will go on sale on 11 October and mascots Miga, Quatchi and Sumi will be busy in 2008 with appearances across Canada, including visits to schools, fairs, festivals and Vancouver 2010_related events. On 12 February,

VANOC called for up to 25,000 volunteers to apply, through an online process, to be part of the team that helps stage the Games. John Furlong, VANOC’s Chief Executive Officer, said: “Milestone activities in all of VANOC’s major functional areas are increasing as the Games approach, and 2008 promises to be an intense year as the countdown momentum and public engagement builds.”

The Vancouver 2010 Sustainability Report, detailing VANOC’s sustainability and environmental objectives, is set to be distributed publicly in 2008. As part of its Public engagement programme, VANOC will be in Games venue communities in the spring sharing information about operations, transportation and venue operations.

Within the report VANOC also reflected on the achievements made in 2007, including the construction of five sport venues and a domestic sponsorship programme that exceeded VANOC’s 2007 target of $65 million to reach $102.5 (EURO 69.74) million for the year. Other highlights mentioned in the report were the introduction of mascots Sumi, Miga and Quatchi and the successful launch of a Paralympic School Day pilot programme, which gave more than 3,000 students in ten schools the opportunity to meet some of Canada’s top Paralympic athletes and try their hand at a variety of winter sports.

For more information, please visit the official website at www.vancouver2010.com.