Over 4 Tonnes of Swiss Cheese and 2 Tonnes of Chocolate Consumed at House of Switzerland Canada 2010

Switzerland has a rich Olympic history, as one of the first countries to host a Winter Olympic Games and home to the IOC headquarters. Switzerland was also one of the first countries to begin the nation house tradition, in 1998 at Nagano Japan. The House of Switzerland Canada 2010 opened its doors on Feb 5 2010 and as the closing weekend approaches, reflects upon the Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympic Games experience.

“There was a strong comradery between Canadian and Swiss fans,” said Manuel Salchli, Director of the House of Switzerland Canada 2010. “Nations joining together to celebrate sport and humanity is what the Olympic Games represents and it has been exemplified at the House of Switzerland Canada 2010 in Vancouver and Whistler.”

The Swiss also learned that Canadians are food lovers, with a record amount of fondue, raclette, and Lindt chocolate being consumed at the House of Switzerland Canada 2010.

“We had to order another shipment of cheese from Switzerland half-way through the Games because it was so popular,” said Swiss Chef Beda Zingg.

Here is a look at the House of Switzerland Canada 2010, by the numbers:

·         Over 60,000 guests

·         4 tonnes of Cheeses from Switzerland consumed

·         2 tonnes of Lindt chocolate consumed

·         300,000 free samples including Lindt chocolate, HUG and DAR-
          VIDA biscuits, Nespresso coffee, Pure Swiss Water, Cheeses from
          Switzerland, Ricola and Zimtstern snowboard apparel

·         1,700 facebook fans, 580 Twitter followers

·         8 medal celebrations (6 Gold, 2 Bronze)- including Simon Ammann
          who won the first Gold medal of the Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympic
          Games

·         Anticipated to raise $10,000 Canadian dollars for Streetohome, a
          Vancouver-based charity, including a sizeable cash donation from
          Lindt

·         Stephen Colbert & Rachel Ray – biggest TV programs to film at the
          House of Switzerland

·         36,000 Swiss pins given-away  

Find us online: www.houseofswitzerland.org
www.facebook.com/HOSCanada2010
www.twitter.com/HOSCanada2010

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