Kamloops 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Initiatives

The City of Kamloops has been involved in and preparing for the 2010 Olympics for a long time. From artists to business associations, virtually everyone is feeling the Olympic spirit. Following are just some examples.

Culture, Sport, Community
•    The Austrian National Ski Team has been training at Sun Peaks for the past five years.
•    The Chinese National Speed Skating Team has called Kamloops home for much of its Olympic training.
•    Team China and Team Netherlands Short-Track Speed Skating teams are working with the City of Kamloops on pre-2010 training agreements.
•    A Kamloops artisan has designed a Spirit Scarf to be presented to individuals furthering the Olympic movement.
•    Pacific Sport and the City of Kamloops co-hosted a Countdown to 2010 Winter Funfest in February 2009—5,000 residents attended the action-packed event.
•    Kamloops was one of fifteen communities that received funding to produce a 3-minute video for broadcast at the Vancouver airport prior to, during, and after the Olympics.
•    In November 2009, Kamloops will host a 4-day workshop where anti-doping volunteers will be trained in the latest technological breakthroughs and procedures for the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games.
•    The Kamloops Olympic Torch Relay Task Force is organizing a large-scale community event to celebrate the arrival of the torch into the city on January 27, 2010. Celebrations for the Opening and Closing Ceremonies are also being planned.

Business
•    In November 2008, six sport training, business development and education exchange MOUs were signed between Chinese and Kamloops companies.
•    In November 2009, Venture Kamloops hosts an investment and attraction event at the Beijing BC-Canada Pavilion.
•    The BC Lottery Corporation sponsors weekly newspaper ads that generate excitement for the Olympics. Venture Kamloops and the 2010 Commerce Centre host regular workshops to raise awareness of the Olympics and the opportunities it offers to residents and businesses.
•    Venture Kamloops has developed a process to forward procurement opportunities to local businesses.