Vancouver 2010 Chooses Ilanaaq For Official Emblem

In a live broadcast Saturday evening the Vancouver 2010 Olympic Organizing Committee (VANOC) unveiled its Olympic Games emblem. Ilaanaq, the Inuit word for friend, will be the new identity for the Vancouver Games.

According to a VANOC press release "the emblem features five stone-like formations depicted in vibrant colours found in both the natural features of the Vancouver-Whistler Games host region and across Canada. Green and blues represent coastal forests, mountain ranges and spectacular islands. The red is for Canada's signature maple leaf and the gold evokes images of the brilliant sunrises that paint the Vancouver skyline and snow-capped mountain peaks."

"Ilanaaq above all is a team player," said John Furlong, chief executive officer of VANOC. "As VANOC relies on partnerships and a shared vision to deliver the Games, so does our emblem. Each stone relies on the other to support the whole. Together, the result is a symbol of strength, vision and teamwork that points us all in the direction of excellence and it will welcome the world to Canada in 2010."

The emblem was chosen from among 1,600 entries in a design contest last year. Rivera Design Group of Vancouver submitted the winning entry and received $25,000 and 2 tickets to the 2010 Games opening ceremonies.

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) approved of the design and IOC President Jacques Rogge appeared on tape at the unveiling to express his satisfaction of the logo.

Canadian Prime Minister Paul Martin also appeared on tape during the show that was hosted by Canadian Olympic speed skater Catriona le May Doan. The audience was also entertained with Native dance and a Cirque de Soleil performance.

The Vancouver 2010 Paralympic logo will go through a separate design process at a later date.

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