Celebrating Manitoba’s Olympic Spirit

Click here for Sport Manitoba Events page.

Manitobans are being offered a variety of ways to celebrate their Olympic spirit. In addition to the Olympic Torch Relay, the Province of Manitoba and Sport Manitoba are proud to announce that Manitoba is hosting pre-Olympic events in both curling and hockey.

“We look forward to hosting Olympic athletes from Switzerland and Belarus as they practice and compete in preparation for the Games in Vancouver,” said Eric Robinson, Minister responsible for Sport. “This will give Manitobans a chance to watch international, Olympic-calibre hockey and curling without leaving the province.”

“The dream of every amateur athlete is to represent their country at an Olympic Games,” said President and CEO of Sport Manitoba Jeff Hnatiuk. “Hosting these pre-Olympic events are a way for us to inspire Manitobans to reach for their dreams. We hope Manitobans will seize the opportunity to watch and celebrate their Olympic spirit.”

We started the celebration with the BDO Men’s Curling Classic at the MTS Centre January 20 – 24. Junior curlers were offered the opportunity to meet and learn from the World’s best curlers, just weeks before watching them compete in Vancouver.

With Manitobans Chris and Lorne Hamblin named Co-Coaches of the Swiss National Curling team, curling fans will be thrilled to hear that the Swiss Men’s and Women’s curling teams will be training in Morris from February 4 – 11, 2010.

Manitoba is also hosting the Swiss Men’s National Hockey Team in Winnipeg from February 7 – 12. Coached by Manitoban Ralph Krueger of Steinbach, Switzerland will play two exhibition games against Belarus at the MTS Centre as both teams play their final preparation games before the Olympics.

February 9th @ 7:30pm, MTS Centre
February 11th @ 11:30am, MTS Centre

Click here for more info. Tickets are available through ticketmaster.

The Swiss connection to Manitoba continues with Women’s Hockey, as the Swiss Women’s team will also be based in Winnipeg from February 1 – 9. Greet the women at the airport as the arrive Feb 1 @ 8:22pm on AC 267 from Toronto.

The Swiss women will play two exhibition games:

• Balmoral Hall on February 5th @ 5:30pm at the Dakota Community Centre, FREE entry
• University of Manitoba Bisons on Feb 8th @ 4:30pm at the Max Bell Centre. Tickets are available at the door. $10 for adults, $5 for students and seniors, under 6 are FREE

Click here or more info on the Swiss Women’s Hockey

Don’t miss this International Pre-Olympic Competition. Celebrate your Olympic Spirit!