During his three-day visit to Vancouver this week, IOC President Jacques Rogge was able to discuss the progress of the Vancouver Games preparations with a number of prominent local leaders. During his short stay in the 2010 Olympic Winter Games Host City, Rogge spoke to the Canadian Secretary of State with the responsibility for sport, the Premier of British Columbia, three Mayors of communities that are hosting some of the Olympic venues, as well as Chiefs of the Four Host First Nations (FHFN) of the Vancouver Games.

During the President’s discussions with Helena Guergis, Canadian Secretary of State with responsibility for sport; Premier Gordon Campbell; and Mayors Sam Sullivan, Ken Melamed and Malcom Brodie of Vancouver, Whistler and Richmond respectively, it was clear that the 2010 Games are at the forefront of everybody’s mind with less than two years to go. The political support of a nation for an Olympic Games is always crucial, and it was clear that support in Canada is extremely high at all levels of government.

The President was also able to meet with Chiefs of the Four Host First Nations (Lil’wat, Musqueam, Squamish and Tsleil-Waututh First Nations), respectively Chief Leonard Andrew, Chief Ernest Campbell, Councillor Dale Harry and Chief Leah George Wilson, at a reception organised by the FHFN for the President and the IOC’s Vancouver Coordination Commission. It was at this ceremony that President Rogge and René Fasel, Chairman of the Vancouver Coordination Commission, were honoured by receiving First Nation names in a special ceremony.