QUEBEC, March 7 /CNW Telbec/ - The Royal Canadian Mint is releasing the
latest circulation coin in its Vancouver 2010 collection - a 25-cent coin
featuring the sport of speed skating. The coin was officially launched today
at the Canada Cup No.3 speed skating event in Québec City, which is being held
at the Anneau de glace Gaétan Boucher.
"Some of Canada's most memorable Winter Olympic moments involve thrilling
victories in speed skating and the Mint is delighted to celebrate this sport
in such a unique way," said Ian E. Bennett, President and CEO of the Royal
Canadian Mint. "As we look forward to the Olympic speed skating competition
next February at the Richmond Olympic Oval, we invite all Canadians to keep
this special coin as a way to build momentum for the Games."
"We are thrilled to see our sport and athletes depicted on a
commemorative coin in the lead up to the 2010 Olympic Winter Games," explained
Jean R.Dupré, Director General of Speed Skating Canada. "Our athletes and
teams have a long history of Olympic achievements, and we are excited to see
they will live on forever with this piece of memorabilia."
Up to 22 million 25-cent speed skating coins will enter into circulation
on March 12, 2009 and will be available exclusively at RBC branches and
participating Petro-Canada locations. RBC is a Premier National Partner and
Petro-Canada is a National Partner of the Vancouver 2010 Olympic and
Paralympic Winter Games. Canadians can also look for these special coins in
their change. Participating Petro-Canada locations will also sell speed
skating sport cards, containing a uniquely painted version of the coin, for
$7.95.
Speed skating, which is the fastest human powered, non-mechanical aided
sport in the world, has been part of the Olympic Games since the first Winter
Games were held in Chamonix in 1924. Originally, only men took part in
competition. At the Lake Placid 1932 Olympic Winter Games, women's speed
skating was a demonstration event and became a full medal event at the Squaw
Valley 1960 Olympic Winter Games. There will be twelve speed skating
competition events at the Vancouver 2010 Olympic Winter Games - six of each
men's and women's' disciplines, including the team pursuit, which was first
introduced as an Olympic event at the Torino 2006 Olympic Winter Games.
Designed by Canadian artist Glenn Green of Vancouver, BC, the speed
skating circulation coin features a speed skater in the centre, a stylized
maple leaf and the words 'Vancouver 2010'. The obverse features the portrait
of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, rendered by Susanna Blunt.
In addition to the circulation coin, the Mint is offering the following
related keepsakes, located at www.mint.ca/2010: the sterling silver speed
skating coin, featuring a stunning hologram ($71.95); the first day 25-cent
speed skating coin ($15.95); and the 25-cent speed skating circulation coin
roll ($16.95). These and other Royal Canadian Mint products are also available
for purchase by calling 1-800-267-7000.
Canadians can still look forward to the release of the following
Vancouver 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games themed circulation coins:
two 25-cent coins will feature the sports of bobsleigh (June 23, 2009) and ice
sledge hockey (March 16, 2010), while the 2010 Lucky Loonie will be launched
on February 9, 2010, just prior to the Vancouver 2010 Olympic Winter Games. On
February 12th, the Mint and Canada's Olympic Broadcast Media Consortium
launched the Top 10 Canadian Olympic Winter Moments contest, where Canadians
are invited to select the Top 3 moments, which will be featured on 25-cent
coins in late 2009. Visit CTVOlympics.ca and RDSOlympiques.ca to enter and for
full contest details.

New Vancouver 2010 circulation coin collector card!

Looking for a way to keep and display your Vancouver 2010 circulation
coins? The Mint's new Vancouver 2010 circulation coin collector card is
designed to hold all 17 circulation coins and will be available starting March
12, 2009 at participating Petro-Canada locations. No purchase is necessary.
The card features a colour palette of bright blues and greens, similar to
those of the Vancouver 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games. Until July
31, 2009, Canadians can also use the card to enter the "Get some luck"
sweepstakes, which offers a grand prize of a trip for four to the Vancouver
2010 Olympic Winter Games or one of 600 exciting Royal Canadian Mint prizes.

About the Royal Canadian Mint

The Royal Canadian Mint is the Crown Corporation responsible for the
minting and distribution of Canada's circulation coins. An ISO 9001-2000
certified company, the Mint is recognized as one of the largest and most
versatile mints in the world, offering a wide range of specialized, high
quality coinage products and related services on an international scale. The
Mint is an Official Supporter of the Vancouver 2010 Olympic and Paralympic
Winter Games and has undertaken to produce the most extensive circulation coin
program in relation to the Olympic Games ever conceived by any mint worldwide,
while also offering limited mintage collector coins and sets. Visit
www.mint.ca/2010 for Vancouver 2010 keepsakes and gifts.
Images and product details of the Mint's latest products are available by
visiting ftp://communications:RCM2007@ftp.mint.ca.
For further information: Christine Aquino, Director, Communications,
Royal Canadian Mint, (613) 993-9999, aquino@mint.ca
Source: www.cnw.ca