On a recent trip to London,Vancouver Airport Authority employee Shari Sinclair discovered the spirit of the 2010 Winter Games  and sent us a few photos:

Recently, my daughter Asia and I took a trip to Europe visiting Paris, Nice, Venice, Florence, Rome and finally London. On our first day in London we decided to take a three-hour double decker bus tour around the city. Much to my surprise (and delight!) we discovered a Vancouver 2010 Olympic and Paralymic Winter Games banner at Canada House – right in the middle of Trafalgar Square. Very Cool!We arrived too late to go inside, but got some nice shots of the outside.Trafalgar Square was like the Canadian intersection of London – foreign buildings with Canadian titles; It felt a little like home….

 

Natalie Trudel, our Human Resources Employment Advisor, recently took in the 2009 ISU Four Continents Figure Skating Championships Gala. So we asked Natalie what she thought about the test event:

Why did you attend the event?
I used to be a huge figure skating fan and it’s been a long time since I’ve gone to any events so this was definitely something of interest.  Attending the event has reignited my interest in the sport and I can’t wait for the Olympics!

What did you find most interesting about the competition?
What I found most interesting was that only two of the four continents were represented at the Four Continents gala exhibition – North America and Asia.

Which skater wore the best costume?
I was expecting it to be one of the ladies or ice dancers, but it was definitely Evan Lysacek, the U.S. men’s skater who won the silver medal at the event.  I think he got his inspiration when he came through YVR…

Left: Evan Lysacek. Right: Totem Pole at YVR’s Link Building

Meet Kathy deLisser, YVR’s Manager of 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Operations. Kathy is one of the 400 people who work  here at the Airport Authority and it’s her job to keep our planning and preparations on track in the lead up to the 2010 Winter Games.

Kathy’s worked with the Airport Authority since 1994. She is managing the specific needs of the Olympic and Paralympic athletes, officials, VIPs and spectators who will be travelling through YVR in February and March of 2010.

Throughout each test event this past winter, Kathy and her colleagues determined a focus for the event that will mirror the Games-time experience. For example, the World Press Briefing brought 300-plus international journalists through YVR for a logistics briefing on the Games. Kathy chose to test dedicated lanes for arrival processes and coordination and integration of transportation services between VANOC and YVR.

The best part of Kathy’s job?  “Being exposed to the excitement of an Olympic Games from a planning perspective. This role has given me the opportunity to learn so much about the Olympic Games and the immense preparations required to stage them. I get to talk to hundreds of international athletes and 2010 medal hopefuls about their expectations for a smooth airport experience in 2010.”

Of all the sports in 2010 Kathy is most looking forward to speed skating. “It’s one of the most exciting spectator sports I’ve ever enjoyed. The speed and aggression with which these athletes compete is incredible.” It also helps that the Richmond Olympic Oval is a neighbor to YVR. “Every day I look out of our office windows at the Oval, and it’s a great reminder of our connection to the Games.”

On March 12, YVR helped celebrate the one year countdown to the 2010 Paralympic Winter Games. More than 600 Paralympians will be in town competing in sports like Ice Sledge Hockey, Alpine Skiing, Curling and more. If you haven’t checked out a sledge hockey game, you should. It’s a great sport to watch.

YVR is one of the most accessible airports in Canada. Accessible design is integrated into all of our buildings. For example, all of our counters have toe clearance and all carpeting is low-pile to make it easier for people in wheelchairs to get around the airport.

The Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympic and Paralympic Games are for everyone to enjoy – and so is YVR.