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Vancouver 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games – Weather and Sustainability
The Government of Canada is a proud funding partner and supporter of the Vancouver 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games.
Environment Canada is providing $13.4 million from 2003 to 2010 to deliver essential services, such as:
Advanced weather services for the 2010 Winter Games.
Federal leadership in the sustainability of the 2010 Winter Games.
Did you know?
Olympic alpine skiers decide what type of ski wax to use during their competitions based on the weather they will experience.
Weather Services for the 2010 Winter Games
During the 2010 Winter Games, crucial operational decisions will be based on detailed weather forecasts, warnings and information from Environment Canada.
Environment Canada’s weather data will:
Help athletes prepare for the conditions they will face when they compete.
Promote fairness by ensuring all athletes in an event compete under the same conditions.
Help keep Olympic spectators, tourists and local residents safe.
How Environment Canada Is Delivering
Technology
Environment Canada has installed a Doppler radar, a wind profiler and a network of automated weather stations for the 2010 Winter Games. This scientific weather technology will provide detailed information to decision makers on-site at each outdoor Olympic venue.
Forecasting research and development
Environment Canada is conducting research that will make it easier to predict high-impact weather, such as heavy snow or extreme wind.
Forecaster training
A team of professional meteorologists from Environment Canada and other organizations are training to develop expertise in the weather of southwest British Columbia. Team members will be on-site at each Olympic venue, applying their scientific expertise. Partnerships Environment Canada is working closely with the British Columbia government and local municipalities to coordinate weather services.
Did you know?
At the 2006 Torino Games, a slight change in wind directions resulted in a restart of the ski jump competition to ensure athletes did not have an unfair wind-assisted advantage.
Environment Canada’s 2010 Legacy: Improved Forecasts Mean Canadians Are Safer
We will know more about weather in the mountains and along British Columbia’s coast than ever before.
We will have advanced technology and research that we can use in our national weather monitoring network.
To check weather observations for the 2010 Winter Games, visit: www.weatheroffice.gc.ca
Did you know?
Every new 2010 Winter Games venue was built in accordance with the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Green Building Rating System.
Environmental Sustainability and the 2010 Winter Games
Environment Canada is working with the Vancouver Organizing Committee for the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games (VANOC) and other Olympic partners to build sustainability into all aspects of the planning and operations of the 2010 Winter Games. This will result in a reduced ecological footprint for the Games, and the event will be a showcase for Canadian green building and clean energy solutions.
How Environment Canada Is Delivering
Environmental assessments
Environment Canada’s scientific and technical experts assisted in the environmental assessments of 2010 Winter Games sporting venues, villages and related infrastructure projects. Our work focused on the protection of air quality, water quality, migratory birds and species at risk.
Our work on environmental assessments contributed to many improvements in the design, construction and operations of 2010 Winter Games venues and facilities, such as:
The ski jump at the Whistler Nordic Centre was moved to reduce effects on old growth forest, wetlands and local species.
A section of a stream located at the Whistler Sliding Centre was relocated to improve habitat for tailed frogs.
The ecological footprint of the Cypress freestyle venue was reduced to just Strachan Mountain after the original proposal included Black Mountain.
Vancouver Olympic/Paralympic Centre
Along with an environmental assessment, Environment Canada partnered with Industry Canada and VANOC on a sustainable building business case study for the Olympic curling venue.
The study results led to:
Improved energy performance and reduced water and resource consumption in this facility.
Local workshops for the construction industry on how to incorporate sustainable building solutions at the lowest cost while minimizing environmental impacts.
Did you know?
The 1994 Lillehammer Winter Games are considered the first green Olympic Games.
Environment Canada’s 2010 Legacy: A Better Canadian Environment
We will have helped reduce the environmental impact of the 2010 Winter Games.
We will have helped demonstrate to the world Canadian innovation and excellence in sustainability.
We will have helped Canadians take pride in their natural habitat, and shown them sustainable choices they can make to help preserve it.
Partnerships
Environment Canada will continue working closely with Olympic partners and other federal departments to ensure the 2010 Winter Games showcase Canadian innovations in sustainable building and clean energy that will have lasting benefi ts for Canadians.
To learn more about what is being done to advance sustainability and help protect the environment at the 2010 Winter Games, please visit: www.canada2010.gc.ca
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