Quick Facts : Whistler Olympic Park

• First time in Olympic Winter Games history that all four Nordic disciplines (biathlon, ski jumping, Nordic combined, cross-country skiing) are occurring at the same venue
• The only snowmaking system at the venue is for the ski jump landing hill
• The venue has approximately five kilometres of paved rollerski trails and six kilometres of lit trails to enhance training opportunities
• The venue will host 30 per cent of the Olympic medal events and 50 per cent of the Paralympic medal events
• Athletes will ski an average speed of just under 25 kilometres per hour during cross-country ski races, reaching maximum speeds near 60 kilometres per hour
• During the men’s 50-kilometre race, the athletes will climb approximately 2,000 vertical metres (more than twice the vertical of the men’s alpine downhill course at Whistler Creekside). The winning time for this race is expected to be approximately 2 hours, with an average speed of almost 25 kilometres per hour
• Sustainability initiatives include an on-site waste water treatment plant to use leading technology (tertiary membrane filtration and ultraviolet disinfection) for high-quality discharge to local surface water. During Games-time, as with other outdoor venues, temporary wastewater collection infrastructure will be in place to accommodate high user numbers.

News : Female Ski Jumpers vs. VANOC

Last fall, female ski jumpers launched a campaign to get their sport into the 2010 Winter Olympic Games in Vancouver & Whistler.

VANOCs response was quite simple at that time. Its not our decision, it's the IOCs, and their decision is based on the fact that Women's Ski Jumping does not have a) a sufficient number of world-class competitors nor b) a sanctioned World Championships.

Since then the female ski jumpers filed a Statement of Claim on May 21, 2008 in the British Columbia court system.

On May 30, 2008, VANOC responded to that Statement of Claim with a Statement of Defence with the Supreme Court of British Columbia. Their response is available from the Court Registry.

The primary point in their response is that they are simply not the correct defendant as their role in the 2010 Olympic Games is simply to Organize and Stage them. They simply do not determine which sports may or may not be a part of the games. Period.

Open : Whistler Sliding Centre & Olympic Park

The two centres will be opening their doors this summer to the public for tours.

“Tours are a great opportunity for the public to get a first-hand look at some of the most spectacular facilities of the Games and to learn about the sports they will host,” said Cathy Priestner Allinger, VANOC executive vice president, sport and Games operations. “Visitors will leave with a great sense of anticipation for the thrilling competitions that will take place there this winter, and in 2010. This is also a great chance for residents to familiarize themselves with the world-class facilities that are now in their own backyard, and what will be an important part of their community for years to come.”

Self-guided walking tours of the Whistler Sliding Centre will begin on July 3 and continue until the end of August. Admission for these tours is $5.

Beginning June 15, free, self-guided walking, car or bike tours of Whistler Olympic Park will be available during park hours. Visitors interested in guided tours or tours of the ski jumps, however, must book in advance at www.whistlerolympicpark.com or by calling 604.964.2455. Both The Whistler Sliding Centre and Whistler Olympic Park are wheelchair accessible.

VANOC press release.