The Vancouver Organizing Committee for the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games (VANOC) congratulates the Sochi Bid Committee for earning the honour of hosting the XXII Olympic Winter Games and the XI Paralympic Winter Games in 2014. Sochi was selected by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) today at its 119th Session, held in Guatemala City, Guatemala.

"For the people of Sochi and Russia today is the end of one journey and the beginning of another," said John Furlong, VANOC Chief Executive Officer. "The bid process is now over and the organization of the 2014 Winter Games has begun. We look forward to working with the IOC to share our experiences with Sochi as they carry the Olympic and Paralympic ideals forward for future generations."

"To the cities of Salzburg and PyeongChang, we acknowledge the tremendous journey you have followed to reach this pivotal moment," Furlong added. "You have achieved much; as a result of this bidding process, the world knows more now about the tremendous commitment and enthusiasm for winter sport in Austria and the Republic of Korea than they did before. We look forward to welcoming your teams to compete in the Games in Vancouver in 2010."

Furlong attended the 119th Session to present an update on Vancouver's progress and was present for the vote. A shortened version of Vancouver 2010's Celebrate the Possible video was also included as part of the IOC's international broadcast of the vote.

Seven cities initially submitted applications to host the Games, with three advancing to the final stage - Sochi (Russia), Salzburg (Austria) and PyeongChang (Republic of Korea)(x). The IOC's 2014 Evaluation Committee, led by IOC Vice-President Chiharu Igaya, visited each city earlier this year and conducted on-site analyses to assess the ability of each city to stage the Games.

The IOC Members all received a written report produced by the Evaluation Commission and today, following the presentations by the three Candidate Cities, the Members were given a verbal report from the Evaluation Commission.

VANOC is responsible for the planning, organizing, financing and staging of the XXI Olympic Winter Games and the X Paralympic Winter Games in 2010. The 2010 Olympic Winter Games will be staged in Vancouver and Whistler from February 12 to 28, 2010. Vancouver and Whistler will host the Paralympic Winter Games from March 12 to 21, 2010.

(x) Candidate Cities listed in the order of the drawing of lots.

CONTACT: Media Contacts: Chris Brumwell, (778) 328-6269; Mary Fraser, (778) 328-3667