Tomorrow (February 26) marks the one-year countdown to Newfoundland and Labrador Day at the Vancouver 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games � a day when this province will take centre stage during the world�s most high-profile international sporting event.

"Newfoundland and Labrador Day events in Vancouver in 2010 will provide an opportunity to showcase this province � and all it has to offer � on the national and international stage," said the Honourable Clyde Jackman, Minister of Tourism, Culture and Recreation. "There will also be concurrent activities held that day throughout the province to allow Newfoundlanders and Labradorians to experience the Olympic spirit in a tangible way, and to celebrate the pursuit of excellence in all aspects of life."

Meanwhile, some schools in the province are planning their own activities to mark the one-year countdown to Newfoundland and Labrador Day.

Millcrest Academy in Grand Falls-Windsor, for example, will host its annual Winter Games tomorrow. Each year the school is organized into teams and students participate in such activities as sledding, snow soccer, and indoor gym races. In the Olympic spirit, the school holds its own opening ceremonies where all athletes parade into the gym representing a province or territory.

"I�m glad to see the Olympic spirit is starting to take hold in our schools as we mark the one-year countdown to Newfoundland and Labrador Day," said the Honourable Joan Burke, Minister of Education. "Encouraging our students to get involved and giving them the opportunities to participate in athletic activities supports our efforts to engage our young people in more active healthy lifestyles."

On February 26, 2010, this province�s culture and talent will be showcased during the warm-up segment to that day�s Olympic victory celebration, which includes medal presentations. Some of Newfoundland and Labrador�s best entertainers will be featured during the event.

In July 2008, Newfoundland and Labrador announced it had signed a Contributing Province/Territory Program (CPTP) agreement with the Vancouver Organizing Committee for the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games (VANOC). Through the CPTP, the province has invested $1.5 million to support Canadian athletes and the staging of the 2010 Winter Games, and is able to take advantage of a wide range of benefits and opportunities to promote the province internationally.

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