Governor General of Canada named Olympic Truce Patron of Vancouver 2010
Winter Games

VANCOUVER , Sept. 28 /CNW/ - It was announced this morning by the Vancouver Organizing Committee for the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games (VANOC) that Her Excellency the Right Honourable Michaëlle Jean, Governor General of Canada , has accepted the role as patron of the Vancouver 2010 Olympic Truce.

"The Olympic Truce is an opportunity for all of us to contribute to a more peaceful society. We are fortunate to have the opportunity to stand with the Governor General to share this message and encourage people to express what peace means to them," explained John Furlong , VANOC's Chief Executive Officer. "Our hope is that by reflecting on that question, we are inspired to act on it, thereby creating an ongoing legacy of the 2010 Games."

"The Vancouver 2010 Olympic Truce provides us all with a wonderful opportunity to expand the circles of peace and solidarity in communities across Canada and abroad. Through a call to action, it challenges us to channel our creative energy towards ensuring that respect and tolerance prevails in our families, our schools and our neighbourhoods. I encourage all Canadians to get involved," said the Governor General.

The Vancouver 2010 Olympic Truce Program is taking a grassroots approach through initiatives that centre on the belief that lasting peace starts at the local level. The program will promote dialogue, inclusion and mutual understanding through a number of projects, including a youth forum taking place in Burnaby, BC this afternoon. In the spirit of the Governor General's Youth Dialogue Series, Her Excellency is calling on young people to become ambassadors of peace and solidarity and inviting all generations to ensure youth are given a pivotal role in efforts to create a more compassionate, just and fraternal world.

As part of the Vancouver 2010 Olympic Truce Program, two unique initiatives created by VANOC with the goal of engaging youth, were announced today and aim to extend the Olympic Truce experience beyond the Games period.

Canada CODE Challenge

All Canadians can get involved in the Olympic Truce by responding to the question: "In your life or community, how do you "Make Your Peace?" and posting words or photos at www.vancouver2010.com/CODE. Canada CODE is a bilingual website collecting the words and photos of Canadians to create an online portrait of the country as we welcome the world in 2010.

Make Your Peace: An Olympic Truce Guide For Educators

Designed for classroom teaching, the guide seeks to engage Canadian youth in the Olympic Truce by learning about the value of sport and inspiring them to act on the principles of Olympism in their everyday lives through fun, interactive, and reflective school projects. Designed by /EDU, the online Canadian school portal for the Games created by VANOC, the educators' guide will be available in the coming weeks at www.vancouver2010.com/edu.

A selection of some of the best poems, photos, school projects, and short text messages submitted through these projects will be displayed at Games time in Vancouver to inspire all who see them to carry on the legacy of the "Make Your Peace" message in their own lives and home countries.

The Olympic Truce

The Olympic Truce helps further dialogue and understanding based on the principle that sport can inspire peace. In 2010, athletes will set aside their political, religious and social differences and compete on a level playing field in the pursuit of excellence. Their sportsmanship and behaviour is an example of how countries and individuals can find constructive ways to uphold the Olympic values of respect and friendship.

This marks the first time Canada has been responsible for leading Olympic Truce efforts since the ancient tradition, dating back to 776 BC in Greece , was revitalized in 1992. For more information, visit www.olympictruce.org.

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.

For further information: Media Contacts: Suzanne Walters, VANOC Communications, Tel. [phone], E-mail: [email protected]; Marie-Ève Létourneau, Rideau Hall Press Office, Tel. [phone], Cell. [phone], E-mail: [email protected]