Office of Governor Gary Locke
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - September 9, 2004
Contact:  Governor's Communications Office, 360-902-4136

Gov. Gary Locke Announces 2010 Olympics Task Force

Gov. Gary Locke has established the “Governor's 2010 Olympics Task Force” to initiate the process of readying the state for the opportunities and challenges associated with the 2010 Winter Olympic Games in Vancouver, BC. The task force is co-chaired by U.S. Representative Rick Larsen, D-Lake Stevens, and former transportation secretary and congressman Sid Morrison.

“The 2010 Olympics represent great opportunities in trade, tourism and economic development for Washington state,” Locke said. “The large influx of visitors from across the globe – many of whom will travel through Washington – are also likely to create major impacts in security, transportation, and other infrastructure.”

In a letter thanking the two co-chairs for assuming leadership of the new task force, Locke wrote: “I greatly appreciate your willingness to help identify the critical projects, issues, and challenges that our state must address to ensure that the potential economic development opportunities are realized, while public safety and mobility are preserved.”

“As many as two to three million people are expected to attend the 2010 Winter Olympic Games in Vancouver, BC,” Larsen said. “The security concerns and economic opportunities will not stop on the Canadian side of our northern border. I'm honored that the governor has appointed me to help prepare Washington state for this exciting challenge.”

“This is a great opportunity for the state of Washington to be a good neighbor and to benefit from the throngs of people coming to the Northwest for the 2010 Olympics,” Morrison said.

Though there is currently no state funding for the work of the task force, the tremendous opportunities and impacts posed by this global event prompted the governor to begin the coordination process now. The task force will include four subcommittees on trade, tourism, security and transportation. Locke has requested the co-chairs share early task force findings with the 2005 Legislature.

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