Vancouver 2010 Games – “With Glowing Hearts”

"With Glowing Hearts" was announced Wednesday at a press conference as the motto of the Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympic Games. John Furlong, Vancouver 2010 Chief Executive Officer, said at the launch "‘With Glowing Hearts' is connected and familiar to all Canadians through our anthem ‘O Canada' and it embodies what it takes to be an Olympic or Paralympic athlete. It embodies the emotions every athlete will feel - no matter where they are from or what flag they stand under - when they have the honour to represent their own county on the world's grandest international stage in 2010".

He added the motto captures in a few simple, time-honoured words what it means to be Canadian, the deep pride we have in our country and who we are. It's our hope that Canadians will see themselves in these words. They reflect our personality, our values as a country and our rich history".

The French motto for the 2010 Games, "des plus brilliants exploits" (most brilliant exploits) was also revealed at the press conference, and according to Vancouver 2010, while the French and English mottos are different, they are drawn from the same inspiration. "Des plus brilliants" exploits, references the pinnacle of achievement and the extraordinary feats of human endeavour that will occur, both for the athletes and for everyone involved in staging the 2010 Winter Games", said Furlong.

He added, "what better metaphor for the incredible achievements of the world's best athletes than the heart itself? And perhaps most importantly, the mottos describe the pride that results from outstanding achievement, be it an athlete's performance of a lifetime or the valuable contribution of a dedicated volunteer. There's a champion in everybody and the mottos invite everyone to step up to their own podium and give their very best through the once-in-a-lifetime experience of the 2010 Winter Games".

Jacque Rogge, President of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), said finding the perfect motto for the Olympic Games is one of the great challenges Organizing Committees face. He said, "it may be the last inspirational words an athlete reads on the field of play before their performance of a lifetime, or the first celebratory words they see when stepping onto the medal podium. It should both welcome visitors from around the world and motivate an army of volunteers. ‘With Glowing Hearts' is an inspired motto choice and we commend VANOC on selecting a motto that delivers on all of these counts and invites the world to share in these time-honoured words from Canada's national anthem".

Sir Philip Craven, President of the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) said, "the motto captures the warm and welcoming spirit of the Host Nation and it promises to the world that the extraordinary achievements of all athletes will be honoured and celebrated. The motto also continues the spirit of the Paralympic values: courage, determination, inspiration and equality".

The new motto will be integrated into pre-Games and Games-time materials and activities and will be a key component of the 2010 Winter Games graphic identity that will be seen throughout the host region and at sport venues in 2010.

VANOC has registered the English and French versions of the motto under trademark legislation but would only review the use of the mottos if a business began using them to create a specific, unauthorized commercial association with the 2010 Winter Games.

Vancouver 2010 said "With Glowing Hearts" was chosen in the fall of 2007, followed by focus testing in Vancouver, Toronto and Quebec City to ensure the concept in both official languages resonated with all Canadians.

The motto is being launched with a national advertising campaign featuring television, Internet and cinema spots as well as a print advertising campaign.

Meanwhile The Globe and Mail reports that a trademark lawyer, who did not want to be quoted by name, said he was puzzled that VANOC would try to trademark a phrase from the national anthem, which is considered to be in the public domain.

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