Francophone performers Malajube, DJ Champion, Coeur de pirate, and Team
Canada DJs added to talent lineup for Whistler Victory Ceremonies at 2010
Winter Games

TV and film star Fred Ewanuick to host

WHISTLER, BC, Feb. 9 /CNW/ - A dynamic lineup of francophone performers from across Canada will perform in tribute to medal-winning Olympians as part of the opening talent for Victory Ceremonies at Whistler Medals Plaza during the Vancouver 2010 Olympic Winter Games.

The artists include: pop rockers Malajube (February 13), Cœur de pirate, also known as Béatrice Martin (February 22), the award-winning DJ Champion (February 27), as well as the Team Canada DJs, a group made up of DR One, DJ Grandtheft, Jr., Flo, Illo, Pump, and Hedspin, who will perform from February 13 to 26.

All of the acts will pump up the crowd before the world's best winter athletes receive their medals in alpine, Nordic and sliding sports competitions at Whistler Medals Plaza, a world-class outdoor amphitheatre built expressly for the nightly events and the Closing Ceremony of the 2010 Paralympic Winter Games. The artists will also provide athletes and spectators with the opportunity to experience Canada's linguistic duality and unique cultural diversity as it welcomes more than 80 countries, 30 of which are francophone nations, to the Games.

Vancouver-based actor Fred Ewanuick, best known for his role as Hank in the hit Canadian TV comedy series Corner Gas, will act as the official host during the Whistler Victory Ceremonies. The Team Canada DJs will join Ewanuick, lending their French language MC talents to the nightly shows.

"We're so excited to have such an amazing lineup of francophone artists join in the celebration at Whistler Medals Plaza as we gear up for two weeks of Olympic-worthy music and entertainment to honour our athletes, the Games and sports fans around the world," said Christy Nicolay , vice president of sport production and Victory Ceremonies for the Vancouver Organizing Committee for the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games (VANOC).

"Our sport production team has created an awesome stage that wouldn't have been possible without the support of our partners, the Resort Municipality of Whistler (RMOW) and the Government of Canada ," she added.

Along with the opening acts and the medal presentations to athletes, the Whistler Victory Ceremonies will also include headlining performances by top international acts such as Estelle, DEVO, All American Rejects, Feist, Our Lady Peace , and The Fray. For the complete list of the artists, visit: www.vancouver2010.com/olympic-spectator-guide/celebrations-and-ceremonies/ceremonies/.

About VANOC

VANOC is responsible for the planning, organizing, financing and staging of the XXI Olympic Winter Games and the 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.

For further information: Media contacts: Janie Hoffman, VANOC Communications, Tel.: [phone], E-mail: [email protected]; Erin Mikaluk, VANOC Communications, Tel.: [phone], E-mail: [email protected]