VANOC releases tickets for figure skating training sessions and Paralympic
Closing Ceremony

VANCOUVER , Dec. 10 /CNW/ - The Vancouver Organizing Committee for the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games (VANOC) is announcing two new exciting and affordable ticketing options for the 2010 Winter Games. Starting Friday, December 11 at 10:00 am (Pacific Time ) tickets for figure skating training sessions and the Closing Ceremony for the Paralympic Winter Games will go on sale to the Canadian public on a first-come, first served basis.

Tickets for figure skating training will cost $30 , while tickets to the Vancouver 2010 Paralympic Winter Games' Closing Ceremony will cost just $60 . See below for additional details, including where to purchase.

    
    Figure Skating Training Sessions
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The figure skating training tickets are a great chance for fans to watch star athletes just hours or days before they perform before the world at Pacific Coliseum. The skaters could include Canadian medal hopefuls Patrick Chan and Joannie Rochette, world champions American Evan Lysacek, South Korea's Kim Yu-Na, as well as Russia's ice dancing stars Oksana Domnina and Maxim Shabalin.

"This is an amazing opportunity for the public to see some of the best skaters in the world in a more relaxed atmosphere," said Bev Viger , manager of figure skating for VANOC. "Athletes enjoy having an audience to perform to during their training and this helps build energy in advance of competition."

Tickets are available for seven figure skating training sessions at Pacific Coliseum, where competitions in ice dance, single and pairs figure skating will be held during the Games. Tickets cost $30 each plus fees and go on sale Friday, December 11 at 10:00 am (Pacific Time ) online ONLY at www.vancouver2010.com and by phone at 1.800.TICKETS (1.800.842.5387) or TDD/TTY 604.629.7140.

After the first day of sale, figure skating training session tickets will also be sold subject to availability at Main Ticket Centres in downtown Vancouver at Robson Square and in Whistler near Whistler Medals Plaza.

    
    Paralympic Closing Ceremony
    ---------------------------
    

The Closing Ceremony of the Vancouver 2010 Paralympic Winter Games will be an intimate open air event at the brand-new Whistler Medals Plaza in the heart of the resort. The evening will include breath-taking entertainment and the parade of Paralympians from around the world as they march into the amphitheatre. The night will mark the official end of the 2010 Winter Games.

Ceremony tickets will cost $60 each plus fees and go on sale Friday, December 11 at 10:00 am (Pacific Time ) at www.vancouver2010.com, VANOC's two Main Ticket Centre locations, as well as by phone at 1.800.TICKETS (1.800.842.5387) or TDD/TTY 604.629.7140.

    
    Helpful tips:
    -------------

    -  VANOC reminds customers that Visa is the only payment card accepted
       online or by phone. Visa cards and cash are accepted at the Main
       Ticket Centres.

    -  Plan ahead for purchases and ensure you have sufficient credit
       available in your account as purchases will be charged immediately.

    -  Be wary of tickets offered for sale through unofficial channels. The
       only official sources for Canadians to buy tickets to the 2010 Winter
       Games are www.vancouver2010.com (in partnership with VANOC's official
       ticketing services supplier tickets.com) and official 2010 Winter
       Games hospitality partners Jet Set Sports and CoSport.

    -  Be vigilant about individuals or companies offering "guaranteed"
       tickets for sale. For most people, even a "money-back" guarantee is
       little consolation for the disappointment, inconvenience and
       embarrassment they will experience if they discover at the gate that
       their ticket is invalid.
    

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 Contact: Greg Alexis, VANOC Communications, [phone], [email protected]