Plane and train manufacturer named Official Supporter of the 2010 Winter Games and designer and manufacturer of the torches and cauldrons
What will the Vancouver 2010 Olympic and Paralympic torches look like and how will the cauldron showcase the Olympic Flame at BC Place Stadium on February 12, 2010? While the answers will remain a surprise for months to come, Bombardier has received the honour of designing and manufacturing the iconic torches and cauldrons for the 2010 Winter Games.
A world-leader in the designing and manufacturing of planes and trains, Bombardier has joined the Vancouver Organizing Committee for the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games (VANOC) as an Official Supporter of the 2010 Winter Games and the first Signature Supporter of the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Torch Relays.
As part of their sponsorship, Bombardier will design and manufacture the torches for the Vancouver 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Torch Relays and two ceremony cauldrons. The lighting of the cauldron is one of the most anticipated and memorable moments of the Opening Ceremony and Bombardier will build two for the Vancouver 2010 Winter Games – one at BC Place Stadium in Vancouver and the other at Celebration Plaza in Whistler. The cauldrons, which are in pre-development, will be unveiled to the world at the Opening Ceremony on February 12, 2010.
A multidisciplinary team from both Bombardier Aerospace and Bombardier Transportation has been collaborating with VANOC for the past six months to develop an original and innovative concept for the torch which was approved by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) on June 4, 2008. The team includes engineers, industrial designers and specialists who will spend more than 24 months producing the torches and cauldrons for 2010.
“It is a very special honour for Bombardier to be an Official Supporter and produce the torches and the cauldrons for Canada’s Games in 2010. Our commitment to the Vancouver 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games reflects our desire to help make this unique event a great success for Canada and for Vancouver,” said Laurent Beaudoin, Chairman of the Board, Bombardier Inc. “We are proud to bring our experience in developing innovative high-tech products to the design and production of the torches and cauldrons – two important symbols embodying the very essence of the Olympic and Paralympic spirit.”
“Bombardier’s story is one of great Canadian success, and we are delighted to welcome them to our team as an Official Supporter,” said John Furlong, VANOC chief executive officer. “Vancouver 2010’s torch and cauldron will be magnificent, technically stunning pieces, and we are confident they will inspire Canadians and the world – in 2010 and for generations to come.”
VANOC, in partnership with Bombardier will unveil the selected torch design in early 2009. Twelve-thousand Canadians will carry the torch over 35,000 kilometres – the longest single-country relay – bringing it through more than 1,000 communities in over 100 days.
In addition to partnering with VANOC, Bombardier has consistently shown its commitment towards Canadian teams. It is notably a sponsor of Alpine Canada Alpin and has shared its engineering and aerodynamic expertise with Canada’s bobsleigh team for the design of their equipment. “As a Canadian company, Bombardier is very proud to support and sponsor Canadian athletes and Canadian Teams that, just like us, compete and win against the best on the world stage,” added Mr. Beaudoin.
As part of the agreement, Bombardier receives exclusive rights in the aircraft manufacturer and total passenger transit systems vehicle manufacturer product category for the 2010 Winter Games. The company also receives sponsorship rights for the Canadian Olympic team for Beijing 2008, Vancouver 2010 and London 2012.
About Bombardier
A world-leading manufacturer of innovative transportation solutions, from commercial aircraft and business jets to rail transportation equipment, systems and services, Bombardier Inc. is a global corporation headquartered in Canada. Its revenues for the fiscal year ended Jan. 31, 2008, were $17.5 billion US, and its shares are traded on the Toronto Stock Exchange (BBD). Bombardier is listed as an index component to the Dow Jones Sustainability World and North America indexes. News and information are available at www.bombardier.com.
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 2010 Paralympic Winter Games from March 12 to 21, 2010. Visit www.vancouver2010.com.
VANOC's marketing program is focused on securing mutually rewarding partnerships with shared values to generate sufficient revenue to host successful Winter Games in 2010 and to leave a financial legacy for sport. VANOC’s Worldwide TOP Partners include Coca-Cola, Atos Origin, GE, McDonald’s, Omega, Panasonic, Samsung and Visa. VANOC's National Partners are Bell Canada, Hbc, RBC Financial Group, GM Canada, Petro-Canada and RONA.
VANOC’s Official Supporters include Air Canada, BC Hydro, Bombardier Inc, the British Columbia Lottery Corporation, Canadian Pacific, the Insurance Corporation of British Columbia, Jet Set Sports, Ricoh Canada Inc., the Royal Canadian Mint and Teck Cominco Limited. VANOC’s Official Suppliers are 3M, Aggreko, Aquilini Investment Group, Birks, Britco, Canwest Publishing Inc., Dow Canada, EPCOR, Garrett Metal Detectors, General Mills, Haworth Canada, Millennium Development Corporation, Nortel, Purolator, Saputo, Sleep Country Canada, Sun Microsystems of Canada, The Globe and Mail, Tickets.com, TransCanada, Vancouver Airport Authority, Vincor Canada, Weston Bakeries and Workopolis.
The 2010 Olympic Torch Relay is presented by Coca-Cola and RBC Financial Group.
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Forr more information, please contact:
Bombardier
Isabelle Rondeau
Director, Communications
514-861-9481
isabelle.rondeau@bombardier.com
VANOC
Chris Brumwell
778-328-6269
chris_brumwell@vancouver2010.com