Kelowna now has a new connection with a national women’s hockey team playing in the Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympic Games… and it isn’t Team Canada. A country known for producing quality puck-handling talent, Sweden is definitely no slouch when it comes to hockey. That’s why Tourism Kelowna is thrilled to announce that Sweden’s National Women’s Hockey Team has chosen Kelowna as its pre-Olympic training city.

“The choice of Kelowna in our race for another Olympic final was easy. I was looking for a Canadian town with a solid elite ice hockey environment, a walkable town centre, great training facilities and a first-class hotel,” says Peter Elander, Team Sweden’s Head Coach. “I was greeted with a smile from everyone from the arena staff to the waiter. When you meet so many positive people you feel this is the right place to build up a positive feeling before the biggest challenge ever in women’s hockey history – an Olympic tournament in the homeland of hockey.” Sweden won the silver medal in the gold-medal game at the 2006 Olympic Winter Games in Turin, Italy.

“Hosting Team Sweden is a significant endorsement for Kelowna,” says Nancy Cameron, CEO of Tourism Kelowna. “We are proud of the work that has been done by Chad Douglas, Tourism Kelowna’s Sport Event Development Manager, in order to bring them here as we faced a competitive marketplace of cities willing to play host. We are delighted to support the Olympic spirit and tie our community into the 2010 Winter Games. Team Sweden will be staying at the Delta Grand during their training in Kelowna. They will dine at local restaurants, shop in local boutiques, and get a chance to visit our many attractions. This is a very tangible economic impact on our city resulting from the 2010 Olympics and a strategic effort on the part of Tourism Kelowna’s Sport Event Development unit,” she adds.
Local sport groups are also eagerly anticipating the arrival of the puck-handling Swedes. “This elite hockey team training in our area will have an instant and long term effect on our female hockey program,” says Rob Casorso, Female Director, Kelowna Minor Hockey. “This will be a very positive step in promoting the female game in our area.”

"The privilege of welcoming Olympic athletes of another nationality into our community will provide inspiration to all of our young local athletes regardless of their sport. It will also give Kelowna the recognition it should have internationally as the best place to train and to visit,” adds David Roy, Director of the Pursuit of Excellence Hockey Academy.

Team Sweden will train in Kelowna from August 16 through 29, and from January 21 to February 4, 2010, preparing for its opening game of the Olympic tournament on February 13, 2010 against Switzerland.

For further information, please call:
Catherine Frechette, Media Relations Manager, Tourism Kelowna
Tel: (250) 861-1515 ext. 203, E-mail: Catherine@tourismkelowna.com