Family and Friends:
Petro-Canada Athletes
Family Program

The Petro-Canada Canadian Athlete Family Program is a program which will accommodate and host two immediate family members of all participating Canadian Olympic and Paralympic athletes competing at the 2010 Winter Games in Vancouver.

The following items will be included for 2 immediate family members of participating athletes:

• Up to four nights of accommodations at the Listel Hotel located in beautiful downtown Vancouver: http://www.thelistelhotel.com/
• Meals at the hotel
• Event tickets to watch their loved ones compete.
• Airport group transfers and transportation to the competition venues

Speed Skating Canada is working closely with Petro-Canada to ensure an integration between Speed Skating Canada's Family and Friends program and the Petro-Canada Athletes Family Program. Check back here as the games approach for more information.

To learn more about the Petro-Canada Athletes Family Program go to: http://www.vancouver2010.com/

Quick Facts - For family of 2010 Olympic Winter Games hopefuls

Goal of the Program:

In 2010 Canada will send our greatest athletes to Vancouver. In 2010 Petro-Canada will host their greatest fans - their families.

With the 2010 Games taking place in our own backyard, there's no better way to celebrate our Canadian athletes than by providing their families with the opportunity to share in the experience. Developed in conjunction with the Canadian Olympic and Paralympic Committees and the Vancouver Organizing Committee, the Petro-Canada Canadian Athlete Family Program will accommodate and host two immediate family members of all participating Canadian athletes competing at the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games. This initiative will include accommodation for four nights (based on double occupancy), hotel meals (daily breakfast, food buffet and late night snack), ground transportation to and from events and most importantly, event tickets to watch their athlete compete.

The Canadian Athlete Family Program is part of Petro-Canada's grassroots commitment to Canadian sports, with the aim of ensuring that athletes from across the country feel a sense of community support by having their families to cheer them on at the upcoming 2010 Games.

Q - How does the selection process for the Canadian Athlete Family Program work? What are the timelines?

A - Each National Sport Federation (NSF) has defined their selection criteria and process, including athlete eligibility, the qualification system and the selection timelines. The Petro-Canada team is working closely with each NSF and the Canadian Olympic Committee in order to work through the logistics until your family member is selected.

Until then, the information below is meant to assist you with your questions.

If you would like more information about the Olympic selection process, contact your NSF. You can use this link to access the different websites for each sport: http://www.olympic.ca/EN/organization/community/nsf.shtml

Q - How does the program work?

A - Two immediate family members for each Olympian competing for Canada in 2010 will have access to four nights and five days at the Listel Hotel in downtown Vancouver. During their stay, the two family members will be provided with tickets for the events in which their Olympian competes during this block of time. Ground transportation will be provided to and from the competition venue. Petro-Canada has secured vehicle accreditation to ensure we have access to Olympic transport lanes. The program will be broken down into four "waves" which will allow the parents of fifty athletes - from across many sports - the opportunity to share in their Olympic experience together. Once your participation in the program is completed, we will transport you to your next location (either the airport or, if you are staying in Vancouver, your next location of accommodation.

Q - How do we secure our spot in the program if we can't confirm that family member is on the Olympic team until January?

A - Petro-Canada will work with each NSF and the Canadian Olympic Committee to establish the "waves" designated for each sport based on projected team size. We will work with the NSF to provide those dates that would be confirmed as that sports "wave" in the hotel which will allow you to plan your hotel accommodation/transportation/ticket requirements around this timeframe. We will be asking parents to register online during the summer for the program (confirm?). Once the Olympian's names are confirmed, we will work quickly to confirm your spots.

Q - Is the program being run in Whistler too?

A - Petro-Canada has established one Canadian Athlete Family hotel location at the Listel Hotel. One of the goals of the program is to bring together families from different sports to create a sense of community and unique Games-time experience. Petro-Canada will ensure that the families of the athletes who are competing in Whistler will be there to experience the specified events.

The hotel is Vancouver is centrally located on Robson Street, and families will be able to explore the city and experience its many Games-time attractions very comfortably. Information on the Listel Hotel can be found at:

http://www.thelistelhotel.com/
1300 Robson St.
Vancouver, BC V6E 1C5
(604) 684-8461
If you would like to get directions to the hotel you may use the following link:
Google Maps

Q - What is included in the Canadian Athlete and Family Program?

• Four nights/five days accommodation for two family members
• Transportation to and from the Listel Hotel
• Two tickets to each event in which your family member competes in during the "wave" in which you are at the hotel
• Ground transportation to and from the venues for the days in which Petro-Canada provides you with tickets
• A commemorative high quality outfitting package (some of the items include a Canadian Athlete Family Program jacket, toque, scarf and gloves, a fleece, and venue bag)
• Breakfast and meals at the hotel

Q - What happens if my family member is not selected for an event during my stay at the hotel?

A - The Petro-Canada team will monitor these situations closely and will work with you and your NSF to ensure you see your loved one compete when they are selected. When this occurs, we will swap the tickets with the families of the athlete who is selected so that each family still has the access to the limited number of tickets that are included in the program.

Q - Will I be able to see my family member outside of the Olympic competition?

A - Each NSF and athlete will handle the opportunity to meet outside of competition in the manner which is best suited to them. Talking to your NSF and your athlete about these plans early on will guarantee the best experience during the games. The Canadian Olympic Committee will establish opportunities for parents and athletes to meet, including at Canada House. You can watch for details on the Canada House location at www.olympic.ca

Q - I have accommodation already. Can I just take part in select portions o f the Canadian Athlete Family Program?

A - Petro-Canada is creating a program which will bring together approximately 200 families of Olympians who compete in many sports and who come from all regions of Canada. The Olympic Winter Games is one of the few unique opportunities for families. The more families participating in the program, the more holistic and rewarding the Canadian Athlete Family Program will be.

Contact: Lorraine Lafreniere, ltlafreniere@rogers.com