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Olympic bid afloat in beer money

Local recycling company also donates worm composter Beer and worms are the latest news from the Vancouver-Whistler 2010 Bid Corp. Suds-maker Molson Inc. has joined the bid family as a "premier founding sponsor" after it donated $2.

Local recycling company also donates worm composter

Beer and worms are the latest news from the Vancouver-Whistler 2010 Bid Corp.

Suds-maker Molson Inc. has joined the bid family as a "premier founding sponsor" after it donated $2.5 million in cash and in-kind services.

"Molson is known for its strong Canadian roots, and we're excited to be part of a bid process that is reflective of Canadian pride and team spirit," Molson Inc. president and CEO Dan O'Neill said in a press release.

"We look forward to partnering with the Bid Corp. and other supporters who are lending their expertise to produce a winning bid.

The Aug. 30 announcement was made in Vancouver during another Molson-sponsored sports event, the Indy car race.

Molson has a long-standing tradition of investing in Canadian sports, such as hockey, football and motorsports.

"We are absolutely delighted to have Molson on our team," said Bid Corp. CEO Dan Calder. "Molson's strong contribution and corporate leadership is essential as we move our bid onto the national and international stage."

Molson is not the first Canadian beer company to involve itself in the Olympic bid.

Labatt was a sponsor during the domestic part of the bid and is a supporter of the Canadian Olympic Association.

Labatt was also part of Toronto's failed bid for the 2008 Summer Games.

The Bid Corp.'s other premier founding sponsor is Telus Corp., which has contributed $3 million towards the effort to bring the Olympics to the Vancouver-Whistler area.

The bid is supported by more than 30 different corporations, companies and organizations.

The Resort Municipality of Whistler is one of the bid's member partners, along with the Province of B.C. and the City of Vancouver.

Meanwhile, Squamish-based Carney’s Waste Systems has donated a custom worm composter to the Bid Corp.'s head offices in downtown Vancouver.

"This contribution to our green office program helps us showcase our efforts to be environmentally responsible," said Bid Corp. chair Marion Lay.

The bid is striving to bring an "environmentally sustainable" Olympics to the region.

Carney's Waste Systems operates its award-winning recycling programs throughout the Sea-to-Sky corridor, from Lions Bay to D'Arcy.

Company president Owen Carney is known internationally through his work with the Whistler Weasel Workers, which are recognized in alpine ski racing circles as one of the world's best course preparation, maintenance and safety groups.

A team of Weasel Workers will be travelling to the 2002 Games in Salt Lake City to contribute their expertise.

Carney has also been chief-of-course for several World Cup events, as well as the downhill at the 1988 Calgary Olympics.

Carney's son, Michael, was a member of the Canadian national ski team during the 1980s.

The International Olympic Committee will decide on a host city for the 2010 Winter Olympics in July 2003.