“MAKE SOME NOISE!” TONIGHT AS THE ONE-YEAR COUNTDOWN TO THE 2010 WINTER GAMES BEGINS

Get Ready to Make Some Noise Saskatchewan!

Tonight at 6:00 p.m. Saskatchewan communities will chase off the winter chill and "Make Some Noise!" to mark the beginning of the official one-year countdown to the Vancouver 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games.

Saskatchewan residents will be part of a wave of noise that will start on the East Coast and roll across the country as clocks strike 6:00 p.m. in each of the country's six time zones. Regina residents will assemble in front of City Hall with Olympic Gold Medalist Joan McCusker, Paralympic Gold Medalist Amy Alsop and some 2010 Olympic hopefuls. Noise makers are also planning to participate in La Ronge, North Battleford, Prince Albert, Saskatoon, Swift Current and Yorkton.

"The Vancouver Organizing Committee (VANOC) for the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games has asked us to join with them and with other Canadians to mark the beginning of the one-year countdown to the 2010 Olympics," Municipal Affairs Minister Bill Hutchinson said on behalf of Tourism, Parks, Culture and Sport Minister Christine Tell. "This event also starts a year of continued planning and hard work that will go into preparing for Saskatchewan's presence at the Games and to showcase the Province on the international stage."

"Regina will be a proud participant in the Olympic Torch Relay in 2010 and we are ready to 'Make Some Noise' to begin the celebration," Regina Mayor Pat Fiacco said. "The Olympics are a unifying experience bringing together Canadians from across the nation. Regina people are well-known for their community spirit and will embrace the Olympic experience wholeheartedly."

In December 2008, Saskatchewan announced it had joined VANOC's Contributing Province/Territory Program with a $1.5 million contribution in support of Canadian athletes and for the staging of the 2010 Winter Games. Plans are currently underway to showcase Saskatchewan athletes, artists and culture to other Canadians and on the international stage.

For more information on the 2010 Games go to www.vancouver2010.com and watch for future information on the Olympic Torch Relay in Saskatchewan.

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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
Cell: 306-527-8152

Gail Lambert
City of Regina
Regina
Phone: 306-777-7907