Among the many northern athletes competing are students, staff and alumni of UArctic member institutions, including Finland's Tanja Poutiainen, Aino-Kaisa Saarinen (both University of Lapland), Terhi Mertanen (Oulu University of Applied Sciences), and Teemu Kattilakoski (University of Oulu), Canada's Neville Wright and Marc Kennedy (both University of Alberta), Russia's Elena Turysheva (Surgut State University), and many more.
Countless othrtd from UArctic members are involved as coaches and training staff, physiotherapists, and other supporting members of delegations, as well as scores of volunteers from across Canada's North. UArctic's indigenous partners in northern Canada are also strongly represented in the cultural program of the Games, in partnership with the four host First Nations of the Olympics. Makivik Corporation and Gwich'in Tribal Council have a large presence in the games, expressing their cultures, traditions, and futures with performances of both Inuit and Dene traditional games, singing, music, drumming, and dance.
The University of the Arctic congratulates all of its Olympic participants on their success in Vancouver 2010!
UArctic at the Olympic Winter Games in Vancouver
Thu, Feb 25, 2010
Although the Winter Olympics are taking place closer to the 49th parallel than the Arctic Circle, the North has been strongly represented. The Inukshuk design of the official emblem, the strong role of Canada's aboriginal people in the Games, and the presence of many northern athletes competing have brought a strong northern flavour to Vancouver 2010. As they draw to a close this weekend, UArctic would like to congratulate and support the many participants in the Games from all of our member institutions who are competing, organizing and celebrating their cultures and the Olympic spirt.