Bombardier to design torches for 2010 Winter Games

June 17, 2008

As part of their sponsorship, Bombardier will design and manufacture the torches for the Vancouver 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Torch Relays and two ceremony cauldrons - one at BC Place Stadium in Vancouver and the other at Celebration Plaza in Whistler. The cauldrons, which are in pre-development, will be unveiled to the world at the Opening Ceremony on February 12, 2010.

A multidisciplinary team from both Bombardier Aerospace and Bombardier Transportation has been collaborating with VANOC for the past six months to develop an original and innovative concept for the torch which was approved by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) on June 4, 2008. The team includes engineers, industrial designers and specialists who will spend more than 24 months producing the torches and cauldrons for 2010.

“Bombardier’s story is one of great Canadian success, and we are delighted to welcome them to our team as an Official Supporter,” said John Furlong, VANOC chief executive officer. “Vancouver 2010’s torch and cauldron will be magnificent, technically stunning pieces, and we are confident they will inspire Canadians and the world - in 2010 and for generations to come.” VANOC, in partnership with Bombardier will unveil the selected torch design in early 2009. Twelve-thousand Canadians will carry the torch over 35,000 kilometres - the longest single-country relay - bringing it through up to 1,000 communities in over 100 days.

As part of the agreement, Bombardier receives exclusive rights in the aircraft manufacturer and total passenger transit systems vehicle manufacturer product category for the 2010 Winter Games. The company also receives sponsorship rights for the Canadian Olympic team for Beijing 2008, Vancouver 2010 and London 2012.

In addition to partnering with VANOC, Bombardier is also a sponsor of Alpine Canada Alpin and has shared its engineering and aerodynamic expertise with Canada’s bobsleigh team for the design of their equipment.
www.bombardier.com