Canadian businessman Jack Poole, the man who brought the 2010 Winter Olympics to Vancouver, died on Friday, the organising committee for the Games (VANOC) announced.

Poole, who had been battling pancreatic cancer, was 76.

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

An avid sports fan, philanthropist, developer and businessman, Poole was instrumental in bringing the Games to Vancouver as chair and CEO of the Vancouver 2010 Bid Corporation.

After Vancouver was awarded the Games, bid president John Furlong told Poole they had - moved a mountain.-

- 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 - said Furlong, VANOC's Chief Executive Officer.

British Columbia Premier Gordon Campbell paid tribute to Poole for his efforts for the Games, which Vancouver will host from February 12-28.

He said - The last eight years Jack dedicated his life to giving British Columbia and Canada an Olympic Games that would remind Canadians of the greatness of their country, the power of their passion and commitment and, most importantly, the importance of asking everyone to be part of the team that has taken on this great endeavour.-