VANOC names new chairman

VANCOUVER, Canada (AFP) - Rusty Goepel was named the new chairman of the organizing committee for the 2010 Vancouver Winter Olympics on Wednesday, replacing Jack Poole who died last month.

Goepel was already a provincial representative of the Vancouver organizing committee and was also part of Canada's original bid team.

"I am honoured by the board's support and will endeavour in the remaining months before the Games to carry on with the same vision and attention to excellence Jack Poole set for us since the beginning of our journey towards 2010," said Goepel.

Poole died of pancreatic cancer October 23 at age 76. The Vancouver organizing committee, which goes by the name VANOC, honoured his memory by designating him founding chairman of the Games.

Meanwhile, Canada is putting the finishing touches on its venues and facilities and continuing the torch run across the world's second largest country.

"At this time, we are dealing with thousands of small details - across all aspects of operations," said chief executive John Furlong Wednesday. "In these final months, we have but one goal: to start the Vancouver 2010 Winter Games ready in every way to welcome the world and with the energy and enthusiasm to sustain ourselves right to the end - to the finish line.

"The work that remains is both compelling and challenging; we appreciate every note, call and message of encouragement and support from Canadians and Olympic fans around the world."

So far over 1,800 torchbearers have carried the flame over 19,000 kilometres in 10 provinces and territories.

Furlong also said they are busy putting up hundreds of security fences around venues and installing temporary seating and thousands of metres of cable.

The next scheduled VANOC board meeting will be held on January 20.