Vancouver, BC - In 876 days, billions of people around the globe will tune in to watch the lighting of the Olympic Cauldron officially open the Vancouver 2010 Olympic Winter Games at BC Place Stadium for one of Canada’s biggest international spectacles. The Vancouver Organizing Committee for the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games (VANOC) today introduced the Ceremonies team that will lead the development of the Olympic Games Opening and Closing Ceremonies, and nightly Olympic Victory Ceremony presentations.
“Our goal is to create spectacular Ceremonies of which all Canadians can be proud,” said John Furlong, VANOC Chief Executive Officer. “This incredible team has the proven passion and talent to develop magnificent Ceremonies that will celebrate the possible and share our great country with the rest of the world.”
David Atkins Enterprises (DAE) of Australia, producer of the Opening and Closing Ceremonies for the Sydney 2000 Summer Games and the 15th Asian Games Doha 2006, in Qatar, has been selected as Executive Producer for the Vancouver 2010 Olympic Winter Games Ceremonies.
The company’s founder, David Atkins, and DAE’s Catherine Ugwu and Ignatius Jones, will collaborate with a world-class team of Canadians to tell the unique story of Canada through the Games Ceremonies. The Ceremonies team will also feature leading figures drawn from Canada’s music, producing, creative and events industries including Sam Feldman, Bruce Allen, Nettwerk Records’ Dan Fraser, Canadian College of Performing Arts cofounder Jacques Lemay, Director and Image Creator Érick Villeneuve and VANOC Ceremonies’ staff members Ian Pool and Marti Kulich.
This Canadian team has created, produced, written, directed and presented many of Canada’s most memorable events. These include some of Canada’s largest concerts and touring music shows, major Games Ceremonies including the Calgary 1988 Olympic Winter Games; the 1999 Pan American Games; the 1994 Commonwealth Games; Canada Games; theatre spectacles; television shows; Royal Visits; and iconic special events, such as the Opening Ceremony of Prince Edward Island’s Confederation Bridge.
“The creation of a strong Canadian team is essential in the realization and successful delivery of the Ceremonies. We are thrilled to be working with VANOC to tell Canada’s story using the breadth of talent and expertise that is so evident across the country,” said David Atkins.
“Our search for the Executive Producer was extremely rigorous because this is our opportunity to show the world what we can do, and what we can be,” said Terry Wright VANOC’s Executive Vice President, Service Operations and Ceremonies division. “DAE was selected as Executive Producer based on its expertise and experience in staging all aspects of extremely successful international events. We’re delighted to be working in collaboration with David Atkins Enterprises and a Ceremonies team that includes many of the very best Canadian creative and production minds.”
“The 2010 Olympic Winter Games Opening Ceremony will be the greatest opportunity British Columbia has ever had to show the world why this is the best place on earth," said Premier Gordon Campbell. "We're pleased to see the level of talent and expertise assembled for VANOC's Ceremonies team and we look forward to a spectacular ceremony that will capture the imagination of viewers worldwide."
"The Government of Canada is proud to support the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games. The opening and closing ceremonies will capture both the spirit of our country and British Columbia's unique personality. We, and all Canadians, look forward to a global event that Canada can be proud of in 2010," commented David Emerson, Minister of International Trade and Minister for the Pacific Gateway and the Vancouver-Whistler Olympics.
Viewed by a worldwide audience of approximately three billion spectators, the Games Ceremonies are mandated by the International Olympic Committee to promote international peace and understanding, honouring the world’s greatest athletes and celebrating humanity.
“Beyond the sports competitions, the Opening and Closing Ceremonies are among the most memorable events of the Games and are some of the most complex events to create and deliver. They typically set the scene and offer the first ‘wow’ moments of the Games,” concluded Wright. “Historic ceremony protocols must be integrated into unforgettable shows that translate well to live audiences – both in the stadium and watching on television around the world.”
The 2010 Olympic Winter Games Opening Ceremony will take place in Vancouver’s 55,000-seat BC Place Stadium on February 12, 2010. The Closing Ceremony, on February 28, 2010, will also be held at BC Place Stadium. This will be the first time in Olympic Games history that the Olympic Ceremonies will be staged in the comfort of an indoor venue. The Paralympic Games Opening Ceremony will be held on March 12, 2010, also at BC Place Stadium, followed by the Closing Ceremony on March 21, 2010, in Whistler.
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 vancouver2010.com for the latest information.
© Source: Vancouver 2010 - Text and images property of respective owners.
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