PROVINCE PREPARES TO “MAKE SOME NOISE” FOR WINTER GAMES COUNTDOWN

With one week to go before the one-year 2010 Winter Games countdown begins, the Vancouver Organizing Committee for the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games (VANOC) and the Government of Saskatchewan are asking communities across the province to "Make Some Noise" to show their Olympic spirit.

"On February 12 at 6:00 p.m. Saskatchewan communities are encouraged to join others across Canada in blowing horns and sirens, drumming, singing, AND ringing church bells to cheer on Canada's Olympic hopefuls in whatever ways can be imagined," Tourism, Parks, Culture and Sport Minister Christine Tell said. "Saskatchewan is proud to be a partner in the 2010 Winter Games, and this will be a great way to show our support for Saskatchewan Olympic and Paralympic athletes."

A kick-off is currently being planned for Regina with Olympic champion Joan McCusker, provincial and city officials and other guests. Other communities are encouraged to organize their own local "Make Some Noise" initiatives.

As announced in December 2008, Saskatchewan has joined VANOC's Contributing Province/Territory Program and will contribute $1.5 million toward Canadian athletes and the staging of the 2010 Winter Games. Along with its athletes, Saskatchewan's culture and artists will be highlighted on the international stage.

"The richness of our province and our people will be on display for the world to see," Tell said. "So next week let's start the countdown by making enough noise that they'll hear us all the way out in Vancouver."

If your community is interested in holding an event, VANOC has created a One-Year Countdown Celebration Toolkit. The online toolkit can be downloaded at: http://www.vancouver2010.com/en/about-vanoc/organizing-committee/public-communications/one-year-countdown/-/62600/1n1edlh/index.html.

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For more information, contact:

Janice Wilby
Tourism, Parks, Culture and Sport
Regina
Phone: 306-787-5781
Email: janice.wilby@gov.sk.ca