2010 Olympics Games-Vancouver, Canada?

[bcskater]

Just wondering what the general outlook on whether Vancouver should take on the 2010 Games. Do you think it is a good idea? why? A bad idea? why? thanks for any of your opinions :D
want to use this for a class project.

[Aaron W]

I'm hoping they get the Olympics because it will give me a perfect excuse to visit Vancouver again. :) I had such a wonderful time at the 2001 Worlds, and would love to "vacation" in Vancouver once again.

I guess the one disappointing thing is that hockey would be held at GM Place while figure skating would get sent out to the PNE which is well outside of downtown Vancouver where I'd prefer to stay. Oh well. The city is beautiful and I'd love to go back again. :)

[love2sk8]

Who wouldnt want the Olys in Canada???:P

Vancouver is an amazing city. Its so beautiful, and there are many things to do there. Whistler is not that far away, and is one of the best places to ski. Although it would be alot of work to host the Olympics for BC, I think that they'd do a wonderful job. Vancouver is so diversified...it would be a great environment for all the athletes. I think Vancouver should definitely host the Olympics.

[Lee]

Originally posted by Aaron W
I guess the one disappointing thing is that hockey would be held at GM Place while figure skating would get sent out to the PNE which is well outside of downtown Vancouver where I'd prefer to stay. Oh well. The city is beautiful and I'd love to go back again. :) Aaron, I wouldn't count on all the skating being farmed out to the PNE. In Calgary, the Saddledome managed to host both hockey AND the figure skating events.

[NOS_skater]

all i can say is who the hell voted to not have the olympics in canada, that would be the best, if i were a canadian competitor i would love to compete in an olympic event right here in front of my home country, he would be the cherry to the cake of an athletes career. Vancouver would be an excellent choice, the mountains for snowboarding and skiing and all those hill events, they have the gm place for the hockey and skating events, i would go watch some of the olympics if they were help there!!!!

GO VANCOUVER 2010!!!!

[Polish]

Actually Lee, there are no plans in the Bid Book to host ANY figure skating at GM Place. Only hockey will be played at GM Place. Aaron is correct, all figure skating will be held at PNE. They are planning on refurbishing PNE if Vancouver gets the Olympics.

[4rkidz]

I hope so, my daughter is planning on winning gold for canada in BC

[Rowena]

I'd love to have the Olympics here, and am 100% behind the bid, but to be honest, I don't like our chances. I blame Mayor Campbell--even if he claims it's not his fault, and how he can say such a thing is beyond me. He is sending a terrible message to the IOC. He says that he supports the games, but I don't think that any group lobbying against the Olympics could have done more damage than he has with his upcoming plebiscite on the games. It's not fair that one man's ploy to get elected could result in the destruction of years and years of hard work and planning by the games commitee.

Let the "games" begin....

[leap of faith]

Doesn't GM place and the skating venue have to be revamped for Oly size ice?

[Artemis]

I do support the Games, but not 100% (yet). Mostly I fear that this provincial government in particular will use the Games as an excuse to hide behind the "circus" and ignore the "bread" issues that are troubling our province.

I'm less concerned about the environmental impact: the eyes of the world are already on BC when it comes to the environment, and will be even more so as we prepare for the games, so there's no way that things can be done without taking every possible measure to ensure minimal environmental impact.

As for our chances, I think they are very good. For a number of reasons: other than the incredible things we have to offer, there are the political advantages. As was pointed out in one news report, Sydney got the 2000 games and then later it was found out that some bribery had taken place. China, who had been beaten out in 2000, then got the 2008 games, partly as a consolation prize, even though it was universally acknowledged that Toronto had the better bid. So in some people's minds, that makes it more likely that Vancouver will win the 2010 bid.

And of course the geographical advantage of the US TV networks paying big bucks to have the Games shown in prime time ...

[schnood]

I was just talking about this very subject with my chiropractor....

It would be awesome to have the Olympics in Vancouver - from a spectator's point of view.

From a B.C. taxpayers point of view, it's unjustifiable to have the Olympics here. Our province is in sad finanicial state - hospitals & schools are closing, people are losing their jobs left, right & center, everything is being cut back....when this is the state we are in, how can we justify spending billions of dollars (and knowing the B.C. government it'll come in millions or billions of dollars over budget) on what is essentially a two week party?

My chiropractor brought up an interesting point - why not have the Olympics in Calgary again, where they already have most/all of the facilities needed.

So am I for or against the Olympic bid? I have to say I am mixed. I have a feeling it'll be a go for Vancouver. Some people will be thrilled, more people will be irate....and as always we'll all be ready to lynch Premier Campbell.

[Gaela]

What is Premier Campbell doing that is so negative in regard to the bid? Although people don't like him period, I haven't heard anything about his behaviour around the bid. It's surprising that more than half the people say in poles that they would vote for him again?

I can understand the argument about the Olympics being a waste of taxpayers money. But from a selfish point of view I really hope we get it, it will likely be the only chance I get in my life to see an Olympic Games. I feel like a little kid when told why we shouldn't have it: why can other cities have it, then? why should I be punished cuz this province is so screwed up?

These arguments are childish and irrational, and nonetheless I'm gonna be looking forward to 2010 for years if we get it.

[Rowena]

Originally posted by schnood My chiropractor brought up an interesting point - why not have the Olympics in Calgary again, where they already have most/all of the facilities needed.

Three Canadian cities wanted to bid for the 2010 games: Vancouver, Quebec City, and Calgary. Vancouver was selected as the best choice. Besides it would hardly be fair to let one city host it twice if there were other cities interested.


Originally posted by Gaela
What is Premier Campbell doing that is so negative in regard to the bid? Although people don't like him period, I haven't heard anything about his behaviour around the bid.

Neither have I, as far as I've heard he's been nothing but supportive, but of course that's what makes some people so angry.


Just to clarify in case there are any people reading this thread not familar with BC politics, the premier of BC is Gordon Campbell, and the mayor of Vancouver is Larry Campbell, no relation. So Mayor Campbell and Premier Campbell are not the same person.

[RizzleRed]

I fully support the bid. . .

Figure skating is slated for the Collesium at the PNE which will undergo major renovations. The practise rink will be the Agrodome (which is about 5 minutes walk from the Collesium) which also will have some work done on it.

As far as the money being better spent on the homeless, poor, & other needed programs. I agree, but the thing is that whether we get the Olympics or not, the money isn't going to be spent on needed programs.

Once Expo 86 was over, all of the lottery money was supposed to go to specific programs -- where is the money going? General Revenue and there's no accounting for what's happening to it. The same thing will happen with any money that isn't spent on the Olympics.

[Artemis]

Originally posted by Rowena
So Mayor [of Vancouver Larry] Campbell and Premier [Gordon] Campbell are not the same person.

And to make it even more confusing, the now-premier Gordon Campbell used to be mayor of Vancouver! But therein ends the similarities: Larry Campbell is significantly left of centre, and Gordon Campbell is so right-wing he makes some of Bush's financial policies look socialist by comparison.

[Artemis]

Originally posted by RizzleRed
As far as the money being better spent on the homeless, poor, & other needed programs. I agree, but the thing is that whether we get the Olympics or not, the money isn't going to be spent on needed programs.

Exactly.

I also have hopes that, with the eyes of the world turned toward us, the 3 levels of government will have no option but to focus some more attention on issues such as homelessness and the related problems of addiction and mental illness. And, with my rose-coloured glasses on, I even have hope that any solutions will be more than those of the "sweeping under the carpet" variety.

[missmarysgarden]

If they come to Vancouver, I'll be there for sure! I love your city, all your Vancouverites! If I had found Vancouver when I was young enough to relocate, that is where I would live. I've never seen such natural beauty! And I love the people, the weather (even when it rains), the cosmopolitan feeling, the food, .... I'll be heading there for a visit again this summer if I can swing it. I was there in 2001.

[Canadian Chick]

I just wrote a paper on this :D I hope they do get it! They would do a fantastic job and Canada hasn't had an Olympics in a long time.

[Polish]

My argument and the argument of many people I know is that British Columbia's economic future DOES NOT lie in fishing, mining, forestry, etc. (the typical "resource-based" industries in BC). The future of BC is in TOURISM. And what a better way to promote Vancouver, Whistler and BC than to host the Olympics. I fail to see how the "No" side can't see this! :evil:

[Polish]

Originally posted by Gaela
What is Premier Campbell doing that is so negative in regard to the bid? Although people don't like him period, I haven't heard anything about his behaviour around the bid. It's surprising that more than half the people say in poles that they would vote for him again?

Premier Campbell isn't doing anything negative, it's Mayor Campbell who is because of the whole plebiscite thing.

[Artemis]

I have heard one very vocal No advocate address that very issue: he and his group feel very strongly that if you want to promote tourism, give the money to tourism. If you want to promote athletics, give the money to the athletes. Etc. One of his biggest arguments against the games is that so much of the money spent is on bureaucracy and the gravy train, and that any trickle-down is too little too late.

I don't happen to agree, at least when it comes to tourism. The tourism industries routinely spend a lot of money on marketing, but nothing came close to the tourism spin-off we got from Expo 86.

I agree that there will inevitably be "too much" going to the bureaucracy end of things ... but such is the nature of the beast, and that's already the case even when you take the Olympics out of the equation, so I don't really buy it as a legitimate con argument.

[Annes]

ITA, Polish. I've been to BC many times, and even though my uncle's town (he's a mayor of an interior city) depends on lumber, with the way they're geeting screwed by NAFTA they're doing pretty poorly. There does exist a way to keep tourism from spoiling one's home (go to Newfoundland and see!), so IMO Vancouver should host the Olympics.

However, China will probably win that bid and every other bid until 2036, when Cinquata, who has helped them cheat, will reveal the corruption, lol!

[Canadian Chick]

I'll be there too :D I live on Vancouver Island, so I go there all the time anways...

*crosses fingers*

They did such a great job with Worlds in 01...everyone said so and they would do an equally great job with the Olys :D

[KMK0902]

I know I probably shouldn't admit to this...but I don't support Vancouver's bid for 2010. I'm sorry! Nothing against Vancouver or BC, but I believe that Canada should have promoted a eastern city this time for the winter olympics.
Since Calgary, we already have all the venues for wintersports in western Canada and think that for Canadian athletes it would be better to have facilities both in the west and east. Everyone cannot go to West to train.
I don't mean to offend anyone and I will support the olympics if Vancouver ( against all odds ) were to get them!

Kat

[RizzleRed]

Originally posted by KMK0902
I know I probably shouldn't admit to this...but I don't support Vancouver's bid for 2010. I'm sorry! Nothing against Vancouver or BC, but I believe that Canada should have promoted a eastern city this time for the winter olympics.
Since Calgary, we already have all the venues for wintersports in western Canada and think that for Canadian athletes it would be better to have facilities both in the west and east. Everyone cannot go to West to train.
I don't mean to offend anyone and I will support the olympics if Vancouver ( against all odds ) were to get them!

Kat

My question to this (and I'm not being sarcastic) is what would be done about downhill skiing. I know you have skiing back east (and plenty of snow), but are there any ski areas that have hills that would be classed as 'world cup level' -- that's the level that would be required for the Olympics. Any of the other facilities could be built, but I really wonder about downhill skiing.

[KMK0902]

I believe that there are area's in Quebec that would
be OK for downhill etc.

Kat

[love2sk8]

I think theres Mont-Tremblant in Quebec...but I dont know if thats good enough?

GO Vancouver!

[bcskater]

thanks to everyone for sharing their views and opinions! :D

[Bryan]

I'm actually kind of hoping that Vancouver doesn't win, because I'd like to see Toronto get the 2012 Summer Games.

Plus, I think it'll be too soon after SLC to have another Winter Games in North America.

[Canadian Chick]

I dunno about that...02 was in North America, 04 will be in Europe, 06 will be in Europe and 08 will be in Asia...the other big canadate will be Austria, which is another European country...

[Artemis]

I can think of two reasons why the Games shouldn't go to Quebec. The first is that Quebec has already hosted the Games, albeit the summer games. If is isn't "fair" to have a second winter training center in "the west," how fair is it for one province to have the games twice when other provinces never had.

But a far more compelling reason against Quebec is political: so long as the PQ are in power provincially and Quebec keeps electing mostly Bloc members to parliament, Canada should never sanction an Olympic bid in that province. Not only does it make Canada look bad having that kind of political climate, but can you imagine the sword that the separatists would hold over Canada's head if they had the bargaining power of hosting the Olympics?

So ... if you take Quebec out of the picture, there's really no site east of the Rockies that's suitable for hosting the winter games.

[KMK0902]

Originally posted by Artemis

But a far more compelling reason against Quebec is political: so long as the PQ are in power provincially and Quebec keeps electing mostly Bloc members to parliament, Canada should never sanction an Olympic bid in that province. Not only does it make Canada look bad having that kind of political climate, but can you imagine the sword that the separatists would hold over Canada's head if they had the bargaining power of hosting the Olympics?


I'm not going touch that one. I know better than to discuss Quebec politics - it's almost like discussing S/P versus B/S, who should really have won in SLC.....

K