Jack Poole, chairman for the Vancouver Organizing Committee for the 2010 Olympics (VANOC), attends a news conference in Vancouver, in this May 8, 2007 file photo. Poole, 76, died in a Vancouver hospital on Oct. 23, 2009 after a long battle with pancreatic cancer, according to VANOC. (Xinhua/Reuters Photo) Photo Gallery>>>

    OTTAWA, Oct. 23 (Xinhua) -- Vancouver Organizing Committee (VANOC) for the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games announced Friday that their chairman Jack Poole died of pancreatic cancer at 76.

    The Canadian businessman was the key person to bring the Games to Vancouver as Chief Executive Officer of the Vancouver 2010 Bid Corportation.

    "This is such sad news for us all. Jack was a man of great passion and drive and we had all hoped and prayed he would live to experience the Games he played such a major role in securing for Canada," VANOC's CEO John Furlong said in a news release.

    His death came a day after the flame for the Winter Olympics was lit in Olympia, Greece and the torch relay kicked off there. The Games will open on Feb. 12. Vancouver will host the Games from February 12 to 28.