News Release

HRM Marks One-Year Countdown to Vancouver 2010 Olympic Games

(Thursday, February 12, 2009) - Mayor Peter Kelly celebrated the one-year countdown to the Vancouver 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games today by raising a flag at City Hall to mark the occasion.

"The countdown is on with only a year to go and it's important that our communities feel engaged and participate in their own events to celebrate the Vancouver 2010 Games," said Mayor Kelly.

The 2010 Winter Games are Canada's Olympics. The one-year countdown is a great opportunity to show your Canadian pride and community spirit by celebrating sport, volunteerism, the arts and local athletes.

Cities across Canada will be taking part in the "Making Some Noise" initiative at 6 p.m. this evening.

"At exactly one year from the start of the Vancouver 2010 Olympic Winter Games Opening Ceremony, HRM residents can show their support by making some noise at 6 p.m. this evening," continued Mayor Kelly. "In every time zone across Canada, 6 p.m. is the time to honk horns, ring bells, sing out loud and, most of all, let the world know that citizens of HRM are ready to participate with all other Canadians in hosting the world in 2010."

The Vancouver 2010 website offers some great event idea starters such as celebrating local heroes from summer or winter sports, using community arenas to host interactive winter sport days such as learn-to-skate-days and suggests ways to entertain and educate on the less familiar Olympic and Paralympic winter sports through fun presentations for the general public.

To find out more about event idea starters and how you can participate and celebrate the Vancouver 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games, visit www.vancouver2010.com

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Mayor Peter Kelly
Halifax Regional Municipality
490-4010