Olympic Village of Vancouver Winter Games handed over

Olympic Village of Vancouver Winter Games handed over

VANCOUVER, Nov. 4 -- The Olympic Village of Vancouver 2010 Winter Games is officially turned over to the organizers Wednesday for its final preparations.

Gregor Robertson (L), mayor of Vancouver city, hands over the key of the Olympic and Paralympic Village Vancouver to John Furlong, chief executive officer of the Vancouver Organizing Committee for the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter, in Vancouver, Canada, on Nov. 4, 2009. This handing over is officially marking the 100 days countdown to the Vancouver 2010 Olympic Winter Games and is a major milestone in the road to 2010.

Vancouver mayor Gregor Robertson handed over the keys to John Furlong, Chief Executive Officer of the Vancouver Organizing Committee for the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games, in a ceremony also marking the 100 day countdown of the Games.

The handover of the Village, Robertson said: "with its green buildings, energy and water use reduction, sustainable transportation and remarkable public spaces, it is an incredibly proud moment for our city."

Photo taken on Nov. 4, 2009 shows a corner of the Olympic and Paralympic Village for the Vancouver 2010 Winter Games in Vancouver, Canada.

Furlong expressed thanks to the city of Vancouver and its Village team to make "this home away from home", one of the "most spectacular villages in Olympic and Paralympic history".

During the Games in February and March, 2010, the Village will accommodate some 3000 international athletes and officials. It offers extraordinary city skyline, mountain and ocean views. Afterthe Games, the Village will become a residential community.

The Village is claimed to be a leading model of sustain ability in North America out of a former industrial brown field site.

Photo taken on Nov. 4, 2009 shows the main stadium for the Vancouver 2010 Winter Games, near the Olympic and Paralympic Village in Vancouver, Canada.

Photo taken on Nov. 4, 2009 shows a corner of the Olympic and Paralympic Village for the Vancouver 2010 Winter Games in Vancouver, Canada.
(Xinhua/Ma Dan)