The global economic recession has prompted the organizers of the 2010 Vancouver Winter Olympics to adjust their budget by slashing spending and increasing a contingency fund.

CEO of the Vancouver Organizing Committee (VANOC) John Furlong told reporters Friday they have cancelled the evening medal ceremonies planned for Whistler, cut its marketing and communications budget by 5 million Canadian dollars (1 Canadian dollar is about 0. 81 U.S. dollar) and its technology budget by 6.5 million Canadian dollars.

But the increase of a contingency fund up to 77 million Canadian dollars has pushed the total tally to 1.76 billion, up from the original 1.63 billion.

"We are committed to staging spectacular Games within our available financial resources," Furlong said, adding some funds were relocated to areas such as sport, services and Games operations.

VANOC's board of directors asked staff to revise the budget last spring after they became concerned about the effects the global financial crisis might have on funding. The process was revisited in the fall after the world financial slump sharpened.

Most of the Games' operating budget is financed by private sector revenue sources, including domestic and international sponsorships, the International Olympic Committee, international licensing and merchandising, ticket sales and fund raising.

(Xinhua News Agency Feburary 1, 2009)