Olympic trials have begun now that we’re within one year of the Vancouver Games in February of 2010. Most recently held were the US qualifier for curling. Making the US team were Debbie McCormick and her team for the women and John Schuster and his team for the men.

Schuster is a returning Olympian. He was part of the Bronze-Medal-winning team in Turin in 2006. This is McCormick’s first Olympic opportunity.

Curling is a game played on ice with teams of four players each, who take turns pitching a granite stone towards a target (called a house) on the ice. Team members help the stone along with brooms.

(photo credit: Newscom)

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Mccormick, Schuster Seal Olympic Curling Berths

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Vancouver Olympic Preview

Although revenues have exceeded expectations for 2008, they are revising their 2009 budget and making cuts to operations and preparations relating to the Games. They are also looking for back-up sponsors just in case a major sponsor (such as General Motors) pulls their support. Says Vancouver Organizing Committee CEO, John Furlong, “I don’t think what we’re doing will hurt us long term at all, ultimately it will lead to a better outcome.”

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Vancouver Games Feel Effects of Worldwide Recession

The organizers of the 2010 Vancouver Winter Games have announced the route of the torch relay leading up to the event. Once the torch arrives from Athens, the relay will be solely within Canada, traveling 45,000 kilometers and visiting 1000 communities in all parts of the country. The relay begins on October 30, 2008 in Victoria and will end at the Opening Ceremonies of the Vancouver Games on February 12, 2009. For a map of the relay route, visit the Vancouver Olympics Web site.

If you are a Canadian citizen age 13 or older and able to run at least 300 meters, you can apply to be a torch bearer. For an application form, click here.

^{(image © Newscom)}

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Vancouver Games Torch Route Announced

Excluding womens ski jumping from the 2010 Vancouver Games has nothing to do with gender, according to the International Olympic Committee (IOC). The Olympic governing body ruled in 2006 to omit the sport from the Vancouver Games because there are so few participants worldwide to represent the sport. Not so says a group of female ski jumpers. They have filed a discrimination suit in the Canadian courts. They will get their day before a judge on April 20.

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Womens SKi Jumping Out of 2010 Games

Canadian residents can request tickets for the 2010 Vancouver Olympic and Paralympic Games from now until November 7, 2008 by visiting the Vancouver 2010 Web site. Residents of the United States can get information on tickets via Cosport, the official hospitality provider for the Vancouver Olympic Games, beginning October 10. Residents of other countries are advised to inquire of their national Olympic committee Web site.

The Vancouver Olympic Games will be held February 12 – 28, 2010

^{(photo © Newscom)}

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Vancouver 2010 Tickets Go on Sale

As you know the 2010 Winter Games are being held in and around Vancouver, British Columbia. To help you plan your trip or to just get you into the spirit of the site, British Columbia is offering a free set of travel guides. To request your online or print copy, visit the British Columbia tourism Web site and complete the short form. The Vancouver Winter Games are going to be here before we know it.

^{(photo © Newscom)}

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Free British Columbia Travel Guide

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Vancouver Olympics Commercial

The Beijing Games are barely over, but ESPN is already looking to 2010 with their picks for athletes to watch in Vancouver. They mention that the host country always has an advantage (due to patriotism and strong support from the crowds) and that Canada always excels at the Winter Games. Look for a particularly strong showing from the Canadians at the Vancouver Games. The Canadian men’s hockey team, the “north of the border” equivalent to the US men’s basketball team, is sure to be in the mix for the Gold Medal. Others to watch include:

Apolo Anton Ohno - This will be the third Olympics for the US speed skater. He already has five Medals, two of which are Gold.

Shaun White. This flamboyant US snowboarder (pictured above), dubbed the “Flying Tomato,” is sure to wow the crowds again in Vancouver as he attempts to defend his Gold Medal in the half pipe.

Julia Mancuso. We’ve already mentioned Mancuso as someone to watch in Vancouver. The 23-year-old skiier won the Gold Medal in the Giant Slalom in Turin.

Jeffrey Buttle. This 25-year-old Canadian figure skater won the Bronze Medal in 2006 and is the current World Champion. He’ll likely be seeking Gold in Vancouver.

Mao Asada. Mao Asada from Japan is the current women’s world champion figure skater. The 17-year-old is likely be the one to beat in Vancouver.

Lindsey Jacobellis. Jacobellis is perhaps best known for her dramatic fall just at the end of her 2006 snowboarding routine in Turin. She ended up with the Silver Medal, but she’ll be looking for Gold again in Vancouver.

Of course, the Olympics bring out the competitive spirit and there are sure to be yet unknown skaters, skiiers, and snowboarders that rise to the occasion as the Games approach.

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Athletes to Watch for at the Vancouver 2010 Games

The organizing committee for the 2010 Vancouver Paralympic Games is making an effort to make the events affordable for spectators.  Most (but, obviously, not all) of the tickets will cost $20 or less.  Here are some examples:

• Tickets will range from $15 for alpine skiing to between $20 and $50 for ice sledge hockey.  
• Opening ceremony tickets will range from $30 to $175.
• Prices start at $10 for group packages of 20 or more people

Wow!  That is incredible!  I think it is very important to make these tickets affordable so that the support for the Paralympics can continue to grow.

Tickets will go on sale on May 6, 2009 and the Games run March 12-21, 2010.

^{(photo © Newscom)}

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Vancouver Paralympics To Be Affordable