| Overview | |
|---|---|
| XXI Olympic Winter Games X Paralympic Winter Games | |
 | |
| Winner: Vancouver Runner-up: Pyeongchang Shortlist: Salzburg · Bern | |
| Details | |
| Committee | IOC |
| Election venue | Prague 115th IOC Session |
| Map of the bidding cities | |
 | |
| Important dates | |
| First Bid | February 4, 2002 |
| Second bid | May 31, 2002 |
| Shortlist | August 28, 2002 |
| Decision | July 2, 2003 |
| Decision | |
| Winner | Vancouver (56 votes) |
| Runner-up | Pyeongchang (53 votes) |
Three cities made the shortlist with their bids to host the 2010 Winter Olympics and Paralympics (also known as XXI Olympic Winter Games and the X Paralympic Winter Games), which were awarded to Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, on July 2, 2003. The other shortlisted cities were Pyeongchang and Salzburg. Although Bern was originally shortlisted along with Vancouver, Pyeongchang and Salzburg, a referendum held in September 2002 revealed that a majority of the citizens of Bern did not support pursuing the candidacy.[1] There were four other cities vying for the hosting honour, that had been dropped by the International Olympic Committee: Andorra la Vella, Harbin, Jaca and Sarajevo.
Vancouver won the bidding process to host the Olympics by a vote of the International Olympic Committee on July 2, 2003 at the 115th IOC Session held in Prague, Czech Republic. Earlier in February, Vancouver's residents voted in a referendum accepting the responsibilities of the host city should it win its bid. Sixty-four percent of residents voted in favour of hosting the games. In neighboring Washington state to the south, both the state legislature and Governor Gary Locke passed a resolution in support of Vancouver's bid, and sent it to the IOC.[2]
- ^ "Berne Officially Withdraws Bid". GamesBids.com. September 27, 2002. Retrieved July 31, 2012.
- ^ "Gov. Locke Congratulates Vancouver, B.C., on Winning Bid for 2010 Olympic Winter Games, Highlights Economic Benefits to Washington State" (Press release). Washington Office of the Governor. July 2, 2003. Retrieved July 31, 2012.