Canadian man who brought Winter Olympics to Vancouver dies

Canadian who brought Olympics dies

VANCOUVER, British Columbia — The man who brought the 2010 Winter Games to Vancouver has died.

Olympic officials confirmed early Friday that Jack Poole, a prominent Vancouver businessman, is dead following a lengthy battle with pancreatic cancer. He was 76.

Poole was chairman of the Vancouver Olympic organizing committee’s board of directors and also headed up the city’s bid for the Games.

His death comes one day after the flame for the Vancouver Games was lit in Greece.

In his remarks, International Olympic Committee President Jacques Rogge paid tribute to Poole’s efforts to bring the Games together.

Poole was one of British Columbia’s top real estate developers and also known for his philanthropy. He was awarded the order of Canada in 2006, one of the country’s highest honors.