Office of Governor Gary Locke
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - July 2, 2003
Contact:  Kirsten Kendrick, Governor’s Communications Office, 360-902-4136

Gov. Locke Congratulates Vancouver, B.C., on Winning Bid for 2010 Olympic Winter Games, Highlights Economic Benefits to Washington State

Gov. Gary Locke today issued the following statement on Vancouver, B.C., being named the host city of the 2010 Olympic Winter Games:

“I congratulate Vancouver, B.C., for winning the bid to host the 2010 Olympic Winter Games. I know a lot of hard work went into the city’s winning proposal.

“This is a great economic opportunity for Vancouver, and it will certainly have positive impacts on tourism in Washington state, whether through increased passenger traffic at SeaTac Airport, or side trips to Birch Bay, Bellingham, Everett, Seattle or other great spots in our state.

“Washington state officially expressed support for the Vancouver bid to the International Olympic Commission. Rep. Jeff Morris, D-Anacortes, sponsored a joint resolution that was passed in the Legislature, which I also supported.

“We know what the Olympics can do for a region. For example, the 2002 Olympic Winter Games in Salt Lake City resulted in $100 million in tourism revenue to nearby Boise, Idaho. We expect a similar impact in our state with the 2010 games.

“We have had great success with our tourism promotion of a ‘two nation vacation,’ and our state Department of Community, Trade and Economic Development will be expanding on that effort to lure the thousands of visitors who we know will make Washington part of their Olympic experience.

“The 2010 Olympic Winter Games in Vancouver will allow us to build on a successful targeted industry to improve the economic health of Washington state and the region. Working with our tourism partners, we expect to further expand our already-strong tourism industry, which accounts for some 157,000 jobs and $11 billion in annual revenue.

“This is definitely a win-win for Vancouver, B.C., and for Washington state.”

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