Vancouver 2010 Olympic Games

Petro-Canada keeping families together for 2010 Olympics

Program to unite athletes with their families at 2010

Cost of families to see Games covered by Petro-Canada

Johanne and Jean-Pierre Monette of Montreal have never seen their speed-skating sons Marc-Andre and Jean-Francois compete at any major competition.
They weren’t there when Jean-Francois skated in the 2002 Salt Lake Winter Olympics, or when their sons traveled to Europe for short-track speed skating championships.
Instead, they put all their money into making sure the two boys could compete, knowing that they could always watch them on television or see a video later.
“When we are not there with them, it is always heartbreaking, but they do call home,” Johanne Monette said.
All of that will change for the Monettes and the immediate families of all Canadian Olympic and Paralympic athletes who compete at the 2010 Games.

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This program will cost $3 million for Petro-Canada, but I think it’s a great move.  Petro-Canada is one of the corporate sponsors of the Vancouver Games, so the company will be receiving free tickets anyway.  They will simply pass on these tickets to the family members of the Olympic athletes.  Meals and 4 days in a Vancouver hotel will be provided for two family members of each Canadian athlete.

Tags: athletes, family, olympics, tickets, Vancouver