With the XXI Olympic Winter Games Vancouver 2010 only three days away, the FIS World Cup season is about to take a break for the rest of the month of February.
Vancouver 2010 will see medals awarded in 12 Cross-Country events, three events for Ski Jumping and Nordic Combined each, ten Alpine Skiing events, and six events for Freestyle Skiing and Snowboarding. Vancouver 2010 has recently revealed the official Victory Ceremony podiums which will serve as a symbol of the mountains athletes have climbed en route to Olympic success. Inspired by Vancouver and Whistler's rugged snow-topped mountains, the dynamic sculptural podiums exhibit unique design that echoes peaks and ridges. Each one is assembled from more than 200 pieces of precision-cut wood hewed from the forests of British Columbia. The Vancouver 2010 Victory Ceremonies will take place with flower ceremonies in the competition venues during the day, and medal ceremonies at BC Place and Whistler Medals Plaza at night, including a highly choreographed celebration in the athletes' honor. Part of the party will of course be the members of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) in their famous red serge uniforms and Stetson hats.
Venue Security, Airport Style
Anyone entering Olympic venues should prepare themselves for airport-style security, says VANOC.
Fans and spectators are encouraged to arrive two hours before the start of events at city venues and three hours for competitions in the mountains. Similar to an airport, spectators will be asked to walk through a metal detector and belongings will be subject to x-ray screening. VANOC estimates the security check should take about one minute once spectators reach the front of the queue. To help Olympic participants, VANOC has defined the five key rules for a smooth Olympic experience:
1. Arrive early: Don't miss the start of competition. Know before you go and leave plenty of time to clear the security screening. Entering an Olympic venue will take longer than traditional events.
2. Check tickets: Make sure your ticket has the correct session code. Treat your tickets like cash. Lost or stolen tickets cannot be replaced or refunded.
3. Bring the smallest bag possible: If you have a bag smaller than a bread box or no bag at all, you can use the express lane to enter the venue. Spectators carrying larger bags will follow the standard lane. Lanes will be clearly marked.
4. Be prepared: All spectators will be asked to pass through a magnetometer (metal detector). Help expedite the process by emptying pockets of all metal objects.
5. Follow instructions: Public information marshals will be welcoming spectators to expedite their entry into the venue and communicate key information to assist everyone in moving smoothly.
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.
