Premier of British Columbia tells the press about plans for the International Media Centre (IMC) of the 2010 Vancouver Winter Olympics. [Wang Yichen/China.org.cn]

On August 12, 2008, Gordon Campbell, the premier of Canada's western province of British Columbia, took the opportunity of a press conference in the 2008 Olympics Beijing International Media Center to reveal plans for the International Media Centre (IMC) of the 2010 Vancouver Winter Olympics.

Mr Campbell said the 2010 IMC will be a state-of-the-art facility, and will provide a one-stop-shop of resources for the world's media community. It will combine technology, information, transportation and hospitality, and allow unparalleled access to officials and athletes for members of the press.

The premier also said that as the first-ever "green-certified" media center in the history of the Olympics, the IMC will be constructed from locally-sourced materials, and will have a zero carbon footprint. The cost of the IMC will be approximately $2.5 million.

The Premier expressed his hope that the 2010 Winter Olympics will help promote British Columbia as an investment and tourism destination.

Asked about his experiences at the Beijing Games, the premier said, "What have impressed me most are the volunteers. They don't just help people get to the stadiums, but also give general travel advice."

The Premier praised the creativity and technical perfection of the Beijing Games opening ceremony, which, he said, had exceeded expectations. But he denied that the success of the ceremony had put Canada under pressure. "We are not trying to replay the Beijing ceremony. We just want to present an event that will tell the world about Canada," he said.

(China.org.cn by Wu Huanshu, August 13, 2008)