With only one year to go before Canada hosts the 2010 Winter Games, the Vancouver Organizing Committee for the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games (VANOC) is inviting communities across the country to help celebrate the countdown to 2010 by making some noise at 6 p.m. local time zones.

“Tomorrow, February 12, marks one year from the start of the Olympic Winter Games Opening Ceremony,” said Hon. Carolyn Bertram, Minister of Communities, Cultural Affairs and Labour. “I hope Prince Edward Island residents will join in the excitement leading up to Canada’s Games.”

Log onto www.vancouver2010.com for more information.

Backgrounder - Vancouver 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games:

• The 2010 Olympic Winter Games will be staged in Vancouver and Whistler from February 12 to 28, 2010.

• Vancouver and Whistler will also host the 2010 Paralympic Winter Games from March 12 to 21, 2010.

• An estimated 5,500 Olympic athletes and team officials from more than 80 countries will take part in 86 medal events during the 17-day Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympic Games.

• Another 1,350 athletes from more than 40 countries will take part in 64 medal events at the 12-day Vancouver 2010 Winter Paralympic Games.

• An estimated three billion people worldwide will tune in to watch the Games.