Native Representation Strong At 2010 Olympics

February 12, 2010

Author: Sam Laskaris

Source: Indian Country Today

http://www.indiancountrytoday.com/archive/84248972.html

History is being made at the 2010 Vancouver Olympics.

And not just by the athletes in search of medals or personal bests in a competition that may be the pinnacle of their sporting careers.

These games, which run Feb. 12 – 28, are also historic because there has been unprecedented aboriginal participation in the planning and hosting of the games.

Besides the Vancouver Organizing Committee, a group called the Four Host First Nations was created in 2004 after finding out the games would be coming to British Columbia. Both VANOC and the FHFN are official hosts for the Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games, which will also be held in Vancouver in March. This is the first time indigenous people have been recognized by the International Olympic Committee as official host partners in any games.