FEBRUARY 13 - COLIN MOYNIHAN, the chairman of the British Olympic Association (BOA), has accepted the official invitation from Jacques Rogge to attend the 2010 Winter Olympic Games in Vancouver on behalf of Team GB.

 

During a traditional ceremony in front of a live audience at the brand new Richmond Olympic Oval, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) President called upon the world’s athletes to come and compete in Vancouver in one year’s time.

He symbolically presented an invitation to the Canadian Olympic Committee, the BOA, and the Russian Olympic Committee - the National Olympic Committees (NOC) of the next Games host cities, as well as the United States Olympic Committee - the country that neighbours Canada.

 

The other NOCs will receive their invitations by post directly from the IOC’s headquarters in Lausanne.

 

Rogge said, “The Olympic Games engender dreams and inspiration in the hearts of young people everywhere.

 

"For athletes around the world the chance to compete next year in Vancouver will be their goal, the culmination of a lifetime’s ambition. I wish them all good luck, and on behalf of the IOC, I invite them to participate in the XXI Olympic Winter Games in Vancouver, one year from now.”

Moynihan said: "As the next Host Nation for the summer Olympic Games, I was delighted to receive the invitation from the President of the International Olympic Committee for Team GB to participate in the Vancouver 2010 Olympic Winter Games.”

 

Moynihan is excited by positive recent results for GB winter athletes in World and European competitions.

 

He said: “We have strong medal prospects in the winter sports disciplines, which are delivering promising results this season.

 

"Vancouver is already buzzing with expectation and excitement.

 

"These Winter Games will be outstanding. British results should see a real step-up from the Turin 2006 Olympic Winter Games, before continuing on the road to London 2012."

 

Britain’s top female snowboarder Zoe Gillings, ranked sixth in the world, shared the sense of anticipation.

 

She said: "I'm in Vancouver right now and there is a real buzz around the city.

 

"I competed on the Olympic course on Cypress Mountain yesterday and I can't believe the Games are only 12 months away, I'm really excited.

 

"The British Olympic Association is providing terrific support in preparation for 2010."

 

Fresh from claiming the European Championships bronze medal alongside his sister Sinead, John Kerr also cannot wait for the Games to begin.

 

He said: “Sinead and I are extremely excited that the 2010 Olympic Games in Vancouver are now only one year away.

 

"The Pacific Coliseum, where our event will take place, was recently used for the Four Continent Championships and it proved to be a fantastic venue.

 

"Just watching the event got us very excited about skating there in 12 months time.

 

"Vancouver itself is an amazing city and we believe that it could prove to be one of the great Olympic Winter Games.”

 

Britain is likely to consist of approximately 50 athletes across 6 sports in biathlon, bobsleigh, curling, luge, skating and skiing.

 

John Furlong, the chief executive of Vancouver 2010, said: “We’re rounding the corner of our final lap as we head into this last year and Canada will be ready to welcome the world in 2010.

 

"We are delighted to have IOC President Rogge with us to mark this special milestone and his invitation to the National Olympic Committees of the world makes it all very real for our team.

 

"Athletes are already training and competing on the spectacular Olympic venues in Vancouver and Whistler and you can feel the excitement building. 

 

"On behalf of all Canadians, we look forward to sharing the uniquely Canadian 2010 story with the world in just one year.”