VANOC launches Games-time version of www.vancouver2010.com Website to offer most up-to-date information available on torch relay, winter sports, 2010 results

Vancouver, BC — With less than four months to go before welcoming an anticipated 60-million unique visitors and 1.6-billion page views, www.vancouver2010.com is getting its Games face on as the international online host for the Vancouver 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games.

Starting Sunday, October 18, the fully bilingual website will launch with added features for Canadians and other Olympic fans to follow the path of the Vancouver 2010 Olympic Torch Relay as it treks 45,000 kilometres across Canada, starting October 30. The site will also bolster its current content with new features for sports fans and spectators looking for up-to-the-minute news in 2010 on sport results, transportation, schedule changes, Cultural Olympiad events, tickets and merchandise.

The most noticeable change in the site’s “new look” is a horizontal navigation bar at the top of the page featuring individual icons for all the Olympic and Paralympic sports. Clicking on a sport icon, such as ice hockey, will access sport specific information, such as the competition schedule, photos, videos, and more. In 2010, the website will include live results during competition, the latest news and biographies on the athletes involved, photos, and video clips, as well as links to “best of the Web” content and other engaging sites, including www.olympic.org. The Vancouver 2010 website will also deliver spectator information, including ticket and merchandise sales, transportation and weather, and the latest news on the Vancouver Organizing Committee for the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games (VANOC).

Up until Games time, the site will focus on the daily stream of stories and images from the torch relay. This brand-new content will contain an interactive map where users can keep track of the flame during its 106-day journey, as well as stories, video and torchbearer profiles from along the route. Cultural Olympiad news and listings will also be an active part of the site.

The Games-time website also recognizes the growth and popularity of social media tools and will integrate Facebook Connect, YouTube, Digg, and Twitter platforms in order to deliver an engaging, interactive and contemporary online experience for web users.

“In many ways, we’re using technology to bring the world and Canadians together through sport as the online host of the 2010 Winter Games,” said Ward Chapin, VANOC’s chief information officer. “We’ve designed this website to be the best one-stop source for anyone anywhere in the world to find the most-up-to-date and accurate information on the torch relay and the Games.

“This launch wouldn’t be possible without the support and technology provided by our partners: Bell, Atos, Omega, and Sun. It’s anticipated that www.vancouver2010.com will be one of the busiest websites in the world in February 2010 and providing an exceptional experience for our Internet audience is one of our top priorities.”

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.