Jack Poole, 76; spearheaded Vancouver’s bid for Olympics

October 25, 2009|Jeremy Hainsworth, Associated Press

VANCOUVER, British Columbia - Jack Poole, the man who brought the 2010 Winter Olympics to Vancouver, has died. He was 76.

Vancouver Olympic officials said he died Friday in the hospital after a lengthy battle with pancreatic cancer.

Mr. Poole spearheaded the city’s bid for the Olympics, working for a decade to bring the games to British Columbia. He was also chairman of the Vancouver Olympic organizing committee’s board of directors.

His death occurred one day after the flame for the Vancouver Games was lighted in Greece.

Jacques Rogge, International Olympic Committee president, paid tribute to Mr. Poole’s efforts to bring the games to Vancouver.

“Jack was a truly exceptional human being and a great ambassador for the Olympic Movement,’’ Rogge said in a statement Friday. “His belief in the good that the Olympic Games would bring to Vancouver, British Columbia, and Canada was second to none.’’

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

“This is such sad news for us all. Jack was a man of great passion and drive, and we had all hoped and prayed that he would live to experience the games he played such a major role in securing for Canada,’’ John Furlong, chief executive of the Vancouver Organizing Committee, said in a statement.

Mr. Poole leaves his wife Darlene, five children, eight grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren.