2010 Winter Games in Richmond
The City of Richmond is celebrating its success in helping to host the 2010 Olympic Winter Games. From the Richmond Olympic Oval, where capacity crowds saw several Olympic records smashed, to the Richmond O Zone, where 400,000 visitors celebrated the Olympic spirit, Richmond had many golden moments throughout the 2010 Games.
Richmond, the beautiful island city at the entrance of the mighty Fraser River, was an official Venue City of the 2010 Olympic Winter Games, home to the spectacular Richmond Olympic Oval where the speed skating competition took place.
For 17 days in February 2010, the City of Richmond was vibrating with the exhilaration of the Olympic Winter Games. While new records were being set and broken on the Richmond Olympic Oval, the stage at the Richmond O Zone came alive with the voices of a nation celebrating our cultural heritage and showcasing bright new talent.
Richmond’s efforts in helping to stage the Games won special mention from International Olympic Committee President Jacques Rogge in both the opening and closing ceremonies of the Games, a remarkable achievement for a non-Host city.
More than 1,000 volunteers worked along side City staff, community partners and contractors to make the Games a success in Richmond.
Thoughout the games, The Richmond O Zone was our official 2010 Celebration Site . Read more. The success of the O Zone has established a strong legacy for staging future events in Richmond.
The 2010 Winter Games
Nearly three million people took part of the 2010 Olympic Winter Games, with another 3 billion around the world watching on television. An estimated 2.3 million attendees watched 5,000 athletes and officials in action, while 10,000 members of the media coverered the event for those unable to attend. A total of 14,000 volunteers helped make the Games a success.
Sports featured in the Olympic Winter Games were: skiing (alpine, cross country, ski jumping, Nordic combined, freestyle and snowboard), skating (speed skating and short track speed skating, figure skating), bobsleigh (bobsleigh and skeleton), luge, biathlon, hockey and curling.
The Paralympic Winter Games are: alpine skiing, cross country skiing, biathlon, sledge hockey and wheelchair curling.
Other events include Opening and Closing ceremonies, Victory Ceremonies and the programs associated with the Cultural Olympiad as well as the official celebration sites. For all the details, visit www.vancouver2010.com.
The Vancouver Organizing Committee for the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games (VANOC) was established as a not-for-profit corporation in September 2003 with a mandate to “support and promote the development of sport in Canada by planning, organizing, financing and staging” the Games.
Why a Venue City?
Since the bid for the Games in 2003, the City of Richmond has been a proud supporter of the Games. Recognizing the economic and social benefits that would accrue to Richmond and its people from being a part of an Olympic Games, Richmond City Council took advantage of a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to build the speed skating venue and become an official Venue City in 2004.
Through community consultation and strategic planning, the city identified key social and economic legacies from the Games that would help Richmond achieve its vision to be the most appealing, livable, well-managed community in Canada.
Identified legacies are:
- Increased community capacity for hosting large events – by fostering volunteerism and developing infrastructure
- Enhanced sport opportunities
- Enhanced arts and cultural opportunities
- Increased tourism and economic growth
- A strong, connected community
Minoru Precinct
The Richmond Cultural Centre, Minoru Place, Minoru Aquatic Centre and Minoru Arenas were transformed into an exciting O Zone starting in mid-January. During the O Zone operations, Minoru Arenas, the parkade and the parking area in front of the arenas became Holland House.
The library, archives, museum, art gallery, and nearby theatre lobby remained open throughout and became part of the O Zone, offering exhibits and services to visitors from around the world.
Minoru Place served as a volunteer base, as well as continued to offer some seniors’ services, and host a number of visitor programs.
Richmond Olympic Business Office
For four years, a team of dedicated and resourceful city staff were focused on all things Olympic. Working out of the temporary Richmond Olympic Business Office on Hollybridge Road, this small division oversaw all aspects of the City of Richmond’s involvement in the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Games, including:
- coordination and support for the design and construction Richmond Oval
- liaison to the Vancouver Organizing Committee for the Games (VANOC) and other stakeholder groups, including Richmond Spirit of BC Committee
- development and production of 2010 specific programs, including the Richmond O Zone,
- communications relating to 2010
- other management duties related to the City’s planning for 2010 as well as management of business aspects related to the Richmond Oval
- liaison with the corporate integration team
The City of Richmond also established the Richmond Spirit of BC Committee, comprised of community representatives from a broad range of stakeholder interests, to ensure that Richmond capitalizes on the business and community opportunities arising from the Games.
