Premier Gordon Campbell and John Furlong Win Coca-Cola's "Live Positively
Award" at Vancouver 2010 Olympic Winter Games

VANCOUVER, Feb. 17 /CNW/ - Today The Coca-Cola Company honors Premier Gordon Campbell and John Furlong with its "Live Positively Award" at the Vancouver 2010 Olympic Winter Games. Coca-Cola's Live Positively Awards celebrate people who inspire others to create a more positive Canada. The Live Positively Awards grew out of Coca-Cola's commitment to make sustainability an integral part of its business operations and to develop initiatives that protect the environment, conserve resources and enhance economic development. They were designed to remind us that while the Olympic Games may come and go every few years, the ideals of the Games -- the lessons they offer and the positive inspiration they provide -- never wane.

Premier Campbell

Premier Campbell's vision for combating climate change led to an ambitious plan that placed B.C. at the forefront of climate action in North America. His bold sustainability measures have since attracted international attention as other jurisdictions have looked to B.C. as an example of decisive climate action. Premier Campbell has also demonstrated his commitment to making B.C. a model for healthy living and physical fitness. He created the ActNow BC program and launched the World Healthy Living Challenge, encouraging everyone in B.C. to challenge their friends, family and neighbors to commit to leading a healthier lifestyle.

"I am honoured that I have been chosen to accept this award on behalf of all British Columbians," said the Honorable Gordon Campbell, Premier, Province of British Columbia. "This award is recognition of how much work British Columbians have done to make a real difference in the areas of environmental sustainability and healthy living."

John Furlong

The Organizing Committee of the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games (VANOC) is the first Olympic and Paralympic Games Organizing Committee to integrate social, economic and environmental sustainability into their action plan to create lasting benefits locally and globally. Through the leadership of Mr. Furlong, VANOC has undertaken the most ambitious carbon management program to date for Olympic and Paralympic Games with the aim of raising the bar on how sport events manage their climate impact. The Vancouver 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games not only showcase British Columbia to the world, they also establish a carbon-neutral legacy for future Games.

"VANOC's achievements in sustainability are largely due to the culture adopted by our organization whereby every member was encouraged to embrace the broader spirit of sustainability. In collaboration with our partners, sponsors and community organizations, we are forging a new level of sustainability performance for the Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games," said VANOC Chief Executive Officer, John Furlong. "We are delighted that Coca-Cola, one of our main sponsors, has not only recognized our efforts through this Live Positively Award but also contributed to our success."

"No company, government or individual can achieve the goals that we as a society must meet," said Nikos Koumettis, President, Coca-Cola Ltd., Canada. "Only by working together can we ensure that there is hope for the future of our planet. The Coca-Cola Live Positively award recognizes the leadership Premier Campbell and John Furlong have demonstrated in forging alliances that work toward addressing society's major problems such climate change." With a focus on environmental sustainability and active living, Coca-Cola's Live Positively Awards recognize organizations and individuals who turn their passion for improving the well-being of Canadians into actions that have a positive impact in their local communities. Additional recipients will be announced throughout the Vancouver 2010 Olympic Winter Games.

The award is a frosted Coca-Cola bottle set in a wood shadow box, depicting the Coca-Cola emblem for Live Positively. The Vancouver 2010 Olympic Winter Games marks the third edition of the Coca-Cola Live Positively Awards. The program was inaugurated as "The Coca-Cola Award: Live Olympic" during the Torino 2006 Olympic Winter Games and was presented for the first time as "The Live Positively Award" during the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games.

About Coca-Cola and the Olympic Movement

The Coca-Cola Company has been an Olympic Games partner since 1928 and is the longest continuous corporate supporter of the Olympic Movement. In addition, The Coca-Cola Company is a seven time sponsor of the Olympic Torch Relay. The Company works with National Olympic Committees in more than 200 countries to help athletes train and compete. More than 90 percent of the Coca-Cola system's investment in the Olympic Games is directed to athlete development and to assist in staging the Games. Products of The Coca-Cola Company refresh athletes, volunteers, officials and spectators during the Olympic Games; and supporting programs such as the Vancouver 2010 Olympic Torch Relay allows Coca-Cola to help share the Olympic Spirit around the world. The Coca-Cola Company is the exclusive nonalcoholic beverage provider to the Olympic Games through 2020.

NOTE TO EDITORS: All accredited and unaccredited media are invited to attend the Coca-Cola Live Positively Awards ceremonies between February 13 and February 28 at various times at the BCMC Media Theatre at Robson Square.

Premier Campbell and John Furlong will be presented with their Live Positively Awards today, February 17 at 9:15a.m. PST at the BCMC Media Theatre at Robson Square.

/NOTE TO PHOTO EDITORS: A photo accompanying this release is available at http://photos.newswire.ca. Images are free to accredited members of the media/

For further information: Media Contact: Mandy Dinning, Hill & Knowlton, [phone], [email protected]