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Vancouver is starting to feel Olympic
Posted by Scott Russell We were at the Pacific Coliseum for the ladies free skate at the Four Continents Figure Skating Championships and our sorceress of research, Barb Strain, leaned over my shoulder and passed me a handwritten note. “It feels Olympic in here,” was all it said. I smiled and then as Yu-Na Kim of Korea went to the ice, I uttered those very words on the airwaves. It was exactly my sentiment. The stands were close to being full and there were thousands of Canadians of Korean heritage cheering for the brightest star of winter sport their country has ever known. Kim nailed her routine and amidst Japanese and Korean as well as a healthy spattering of Canadian flags, which decorated the venue, she brought the fans to their feet. Bouquets of flowers flew out of the air and littered the ice while the sounds of excellence resounded in the place that had once been home to the NHL’s Vancouver Canucks. It was a stirring moment and reminded me that the so-called “Olympic” state of mind occurs not because the buildings are nearly ready or because the rings are omnipresent but instead because the world’s greatest athletes are in the house. Quality of the field The level of competition is what gives the Olympic city its credibility and its energy. This was the kind of feeling that pulsated in the arena throughout the week. You could hear it in every word the skaters spoke. “It’s good to get the feel of Olympic ice,” said Patrick Chan, who dazzled to win the gold medal handily over the valiant Evan Lysacek of the United States. It was in the quality of the competitive field. The top skaters were there from the United States, Japan, China, Korea and yes, Canada. Four Continents is a championship that has often been skipped by the best performers in the past. Not this time. Not a chance. On this occasion, Four Continents boasted, with very few exceptions, the skaters who will contend for the gold medals in all four disciplines come the beginning of the Games in almost exactly a year’s time. World champions like Mao Asada of Japan were there as well as the best of the Canadian aspirants who might have otherwise been excused for their absence. Tessa Virtue and Scott Moir, the ultra-talented ice dancers, are still struggling to regain their top form. She has lingering pain in her legs from off-season surgery. But the world championship silver medallists were not about to miss an opportunity to skate in the hothouse environment that will greet them next year when it counts the most. They didn’t disappoint and probably gained invaluable experience as they delighted the partisan and delirious faithful. World takes notice The other thing that is truly astounding is the attention afforded these athletes when we in the media get a sniff that the Olympic season has begun. Along with Mao Asada, Yu-Na Kim and Evan Lysacek came broadcasting entourages from Asia and America. The watchful eye of television opens a little wider when the best athletes gather in the place that will create enduring memories. And so it is that scrums ensued as well as increased security measures and exclusive mixed zones where rights holders got the first crack at post-performance reaction. Just as it is with the stars of sport, you get that Olympic feeling because the lights are brighter and the whole place crackles with an air of expectancy and importance. They call it a “test event” for the Games. But it means something special because it’s a test that athletes want to pass. Impressive and telling was the performance of a 19-year-old Canadian named Jeremy Ten. He won the bronze medal at the national championships in Saskatoon a couple of weeks back in order to earn a spot at Four Continents and at the upcoming world championships in Los Angeles. Ten is born and bred in Vancouver and you can bet he’d die for a chance to skate in the Olympics on home ice. But that’s a lot of pressure to put on a kid so this dry run was being watched carefully by the powers that be at Skate Canada. Here’s the thing. Jeremy Ten had the skate of his life and flourished in the sizzling confines of the Coliseum. He brought the house down and took his place in the upper echelon of contenders for the podium at the 2010 Games. Afterward, he was breathless and ecstatic. His coach Joanne MacLeod was moved to tears at the brilliance of his performance and maybe more significantly, at the young athlete’s fortitude. “I love you Vancouver!” Ten shouted from the “kiss and cry” after he accepted his marks. Why wouldn’t he? The whole place is starting to feel very Olympic, indeed. http://www.cbc.ca/sports/blogs/2009/...g_to_feel.html |
If you go to Vancouver
updated 7:20 a.m. PT, Tues., Feb. 10, 2009 Getting there Vancouver International Airport receives flights from around the world. However, a December snowstorm paralyzed the airport, and official 2010 Games airline Air Canada canceled hundreds of flights. Several border crossings serve Washington state. Ferries also arrive in B.C. from the state's Olympic Peninsula. Getting around The city's newest light rail line will connect the airport with downtown in late 2009. A ride on the Skytrain can be a great way for an initial exploration — as well as providing incredible views. Buses are generally efficient, but the best way to explore the accessible city center is to bundle up and walk. Even if it's raining (and there's a good chance it will be), the city core has plenty of underground malls. The figure skating arena is about 20 minutes by bus from the city center. Event tickets will include local transit fares. Snowboarding and freestyle skiing events on the city's North Shore will be tougher to reach. Alpine events are 90 miles away in Whistler, but an Olympic fleet of buses will be running. Traffic will be strictly limited on the Sea-to-Sky Highway, which was recently redeveloped at a cost of nearly $500 million. What to eat Vancouver's multiethnic population provides for an unequaled dining adventures. Chinatown offers a taste of the Orient for all price ranges, The Punjabi Market at 49th Avenue and Main Street delivers the spicy tang of the Indian subcontinent, and Little Italy on Commercial Drive provides a distinctive Mediterranean flavor. Where to stay During the Olympics, even mountain-lovers may have to stay in Vancouver because of the shortage of shelter in the hills. Both Vancouver and Whistler tourism officials are expecting more accommodation to open up as 2009 progresses. Many will appear on www.2010destinationplanner.com. CoSport — www.cosport.com — is handling much of the accommodations, event tickets, airport meet and greet services, meals, ground transportation, and host services. http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/29017542/ |
Olympic update: One year and counting
Beat the clock (and the crowds) by going now The clock is ticking, the venues are ready and athletes, officials and sports-minded travelers are turning their attention to the southwest corner of British Columbia. The 2010 Winter Olympics are now one year away (February 12-28, 2010), and the buzz is building from the streets of Vancouver to the slopes of Whistler. But why wait for the big event (for which tickets are already scarce and pricey)? This winter, you can slap on the skis, skates or snowboard and check out many of the venues yourself. Better yet, if your visit coincides with one of the following events, you can get a taste of what’s to come without the Olympian crowds or high costs. (All prices are in Canadian dollars.) Snowboarding The venue: Thirty minutes from downtown Vancouver, Cypress Mountain has long been known for its easy access and stunning city views. During the Olympics, it will also serve as the venue for the Games’ snowboarding and freestyle skiing events. Though relatively small — six chairs, 52 runs and 2,010 vertical feet — Cypress dishes up plenty of big-mountain fun with a halfpipe, two terrain parks and rollicking runs like Fork and P.G.S. (sites of the Olympic snowboard cross and parallel giant slalom, respectively). Last year, the resort added a high-speed quad chair and nine new runs; this year, a new daylodge offers relief when it’s time to relax or recharge. The competition: If you show up February 12–15, you can also watch the world’s best snowboarders compete during the 2009 LG Snowboard FIS World Cup. Whether it’s the mass-start mayhem of snowboard cross, the split-second timing of the parallel giant slalom or the aerial antics in the halfpipe, there should be thrills and spills in equal measure. The nitty-gritty: Daily adult lift tickets at Cypress are $56–$60 and provide entry to World Cup events. For non-riders, daily event tickets are $10 and include roundtrip bus transportation from West Vancouver. Nordic skiing The venue: A year from now, several hundred cross-country skiers, biathletes and ski jumpers will head to the Whistler Olympic Park in the Callaghan Valley, 16 kilometers south of Whistler. They’ll be joined by thousands of spectators accommodated in three temporary stadiums to be constructed on site. This year, though, you’re more likely to have the place just about to yourself. You can ski 55 kilometers of trails, tour (but, alas, not go off) the ski jumps and even take a crack (shot) at the odd-couple, cardio-marksmanship sport of biathlon. Click for related content The competition: This season, upcoming events include the IPC Biathlon and Cross-Country World Cup, a precursor to next year’s Paralympics, March 4–7, and the IBU World Cup Biathlon March 11–15. Admission is free. The nitty-gritty: Adult trail passes are $20 for cross-country skiing, $8 for snowshoeing. Tours, lessons and rentals are available on site. Click for related content Vancouver counts down to 2010 Games If you go to Vancouver ... Downhill skiing The venue: Originally conceived in a bid for the 1968 Olympics, Whistler grabbed the brass ring six years ago when Vancouver was named host city for 2010. Now, the Olympic rings themselves are flying as the resort prepares to host the Games’ alpine skiing events. The resort will also host the Games’ sliding events (bobsleigh, luge and skeleton), but the best place to test your personal mettle is on the Dave Murray Downhill course. Dropping 3,200 vertical feet in approximately two miles, it’s considered one of the toughest courses on the World Cup circuit, although at mortal speeds, a strong intermediate can handle it. The competition: Many of the athletes who will participate in the 2010 Paralympic Games (March 12-21, 2010) will be competing in the IPC Alpine Skiing World Cup March 9–14. The nitty-gritty: Single-day adult lift tickets are $89, with discounts available by ordering online or as part of a lift/lodging package. Click here for details. Speed skating The venue: While many Olympic events in Vancouver will utilize existing venues, the Richmond Olympic Oval, south of downtown, was built from scratch. Overlooking a channel of the Fraser River — and designed to echo the river’s flowing curves — it opened in December and will host the (long track) speed skating events in 2010. In the meantime, the facility is open for public skating during select hours, which means you can lace up the skates and hit the 400-meter track yourself. And if you really feel the need for speed, public speed skating sessions are offered several days a week. Rental skates and helmets (highly recommended) are available. The competition: The Oval will host some of the world’s fastest skaters during the Essent ISU World Single Distances Speed Skating Championships March 12–15. Among the highlights will be the Team Pursuit races, which joined the official Olympic roster in 2006. The nitty-gritty: Daily admission to the Oval is $12.50 (ages 22–65) and $8 (ages 13–21). Tickets for the Championships are $32 per day or $100 for a four-day package. Rob Lovitt is a frequent contributor to msnbc.com. If you'd like to respond to one of his columns or suggest a story idea, drop him an e-mail http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/29104212/ |
366 Days!
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365!!! :cheers:
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Still don't know who the final torch bearer will be...
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364 and 23 hrs now
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^Love that proper sourcing. :slob: ;) Thanks, Locked In.
Is it just me or does it seem a little ridiculous that they're counting such things as tree planting into Olympic costs? |
^ The auditing is a bit screwy, and to include things like the Canada Line? Really???
Anyhow, I was watching a news clip about the Richmond oval's private one-year countdown celebration.....and they had performers singing High School Musical....nuff said. And it was a $500,000 production (that we, the public, did not get to see thanks to APC antics). http://churchcrunch.com/wp-content/u...alm_picard.jpg |
they also had those things car dealers use to attract attention to their lots
spandex and ribbon dancers thats what I see for the opening lol |
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Highlights:
- B.C. will pay substantially less than half of the total 2010 security budget, expected to be released within a week. - B.C. has advanced the federal government part of its share in the security budget. It had originally planned to pay Ottawa next year the remaining $64 million of its original $87.5-million budget. However, in its third-quarter forecast for 2008-2009 the government said that moving the $64 million balance up by one year completes B.C.'s original cost-sharing agreement. - The budget shows B.C. expects next year to spend all but $10 million of the $79-million contingency fund remaining in its original $600 million all-inclusive Olympic budget. There is no indication what the contingency fund will cover, but provincial staff say it will be for a variety of items. - the government said it will begin funneling significant amounts of a renovation fund to Pavco, the Crown corporation that owns and is rebuilding BC Place Stadium. Last year, Pavco announced plans to spend up to $365 million on renovations and the conversion of the iconic air-supported domed roof to a retractable fabric one. However, most of those changes won't take place until after the Olympics. The budget shows B.C. advanced $38 million to Pavco last year, and will spend $327 million over the next three years, including $125 million this year on pre-Olympic upgrades. - The $883-million convention centre project is expected to be substantially finished next month. Pavco expects to spend $88 million over the next two years, with much of that going towards upgrades on the existing convention centre at Canada Place. Quote:
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I was looking on kijiji - a friend of mine is needing a shoit term 3 month rental... - and I saw a condo for rent for February 2010 - they are asking $20,000 for the full month - 2 bedroom condo
lots of other places are listing with prices but not showing the price for feb 2010 - they say to contact them about the rates during feb 2010 sounds like some people might think they can cash in |
I'd rather stay home and watch the Olympics on tv than attend an event in person. I want to see how Vancouver is viewed by the American and foreign media.
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^I'm also quite interested in seeing the coverage from international media - though there's no way I'm going to pass up the chance to attend an actual event. :yes: I doubt I'll have a chance to attend any other Olympic games in my lifetime, unless Vancouver hosts the summer games in the future. :cool:
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I have quite a bit of respect for Furlong, and I always will. Great article.
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That is an excellent article. He does sound like a very talented and genuine man. He says some very valid things without sounding overly defensive or angry. One of the reasons I tend to have a sympathetic (though I can still be critical) view on major undertakings is because of my own stint as a project manager some years ago on large but relatively minor efforts compared to some of the monumental efforts discussed here.
It is so easy for someone on the outside to quote selective figures or reference old project plans (for long-revised project scopes) or just flat-out ignore valid and reasonable risk assumptions from original bids to paint whatever picture they want of how things are proceeding - even if in fact all is going relatively well. When the effort is completed successfully, all that tends to be forgotten though sometimes the critic has successfully "tainted" the image of the project in a negative light even if it really isn't valid. I fear that is what will happen with some of these Olympic efforts. I am not saying that projects are always run well. Some frankly our horribly mismanaged and deserve boatloads of criticism. But I'm always a bit wary of the critics who jump all over every bit of bad news, particularly if it is abundantly clear they NEVER supported the project in the first place. I think in the long-run Vancouver is fortunate to have such a major undertaking underway right at the time of this economic situation. I think it will do a lot to carry the city through a turbulent time around the globe. |
From the Vancouver Sun Feb 28th - anyone know where this is located exactly?
http://a123.g.akamai.net/f/123/12465...n?size=620x400 Workers lift the first of five giant Olympic rings into place at Vancouver International Airport on Friday. Photograph by: Ian Lindsay, Vancouver Sun, Vancouver Sun |
^^ Right where the "Welcome to BC" sign is when leaving YVR.
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Thanks.
Expo legacy and Olympic legacy(?) next to each other. |
Wow that is cool!
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^ omg, that is awesome! i wonder if it's coming from YVR's budget or VANOC's look of the games budget.
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They look to be done now :)
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3591/...5bfd8239_b.jpg http://www.flickr.com/photos/41645839@N00/3320021443/ < EuroNorb I wonder if they light up at night in the real colors! |
^Awesome, thanks Yume-sama. I'm sure they'll light up and look great at night. I'd love to see a few more of those around the city, especially somewhere visible from downtown. It would be great to have a little extra night lighting to look at for the next year at least.
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If you look carefully at the picture, the Olympic rings at the airport are edged with what appears to be lights....so they definitely do light up at night. It also appears that the rings are held up together by tension cables.....I could so see some crazy protester going near it with clippers. |
^In that case I'd hope it becomes unstable and falls on them. :rolleyes:
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Looks wonderful. I'm sure there will be other Olympic related landmarks scattered across the city.
On a side note, how was your training/orientation X2? I'm not sure if I saw you or not (I was checking people in...). |
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Do you recall if you were coming in for the 1pm session? |
Yea, I signed up for the 1pm session.
Left home at around 12.30ish, got hit from the behind a few blocks away, had to deal with the whole insurance/photo evidence/argument crap for 30 minutes, drove back home, felt crappy, and decided not to go....and transit would also have taken more than an hour from UBC, by the time I get there more than half of it would be over. I'm planning on calling them tmrw to hopefully sign up for another session. argh. |
The Volunteer Center is 1-866-925-8657
It's on my cell phone... I pestered them |
When will they outlaw using a mobile and driving at the same time? Even if 50% of people obeyed it, you'd see a reduction in accidents.
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argh....got home late, office is closed.
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here's a pic showing the completed olympic rings at the airport (with lighting)
http://www.flickr.com/photos/thephotowalla/3327075015/ |
^ in another forum, there's this member that keeps insisting these rings are the same ones from Torino.:rolleyes:
http://www.iciclevillage.com/media/t...ngs_torino.jpg |
Can I guess who the member is? :haha:
They do look similar :P |
Behold: The First of Five Giant Olympic Rings to be Erected in Vancouver
Posted by Vancity Buzz | Tuesday, March 03, 2009 | Olympics, Vancouver http://vancitybuzz.blogspot.com/2009/03/5-...-vancouver.html A buddy of mine was flying in from Toronto the other day to job hunt here on the west coast when he noticed a giant Olympic ring being erected near the "Welcome to BC" sign. This is the first of five Olympic rings to be installed in time for the Olympics. The Lions Gate and Burrard Bridge are other two candidates. I don't know the other two locations just yet, but I heard that the North Shore mountains might get them, something similar to the Hollywood sign. As you can see the rings have bulbs around them and will light up at night. This is the beginning of the Olympic public art initiative. I can't wait to see the rest, I'm sure the rest of the buzzers feel the same. I wonder how long it will be before the APC come and vandalize the rings? You know chew up more tax dollars in cleaning/replacing them. A drain on society they are indeed... Interestingly enough, one of the blog replies were: "Yeah fucking rights we are going to rip the cables right off those abhorrent things you call "art"!" Burrard Street Bridge before http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3479/...6965f7a568.jpg http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1376/...8424ff519b.jpg Burrard Street Bridge after http://img12.imageshack.us/img12/9682/oly1uu0.jpg Lions Gate Bridge before http://img15.imageshack.us/img15/7992/oly5np5.jpg http://img22.imageshack.us/img22/6400/oly6wh9.jpg Lions Gate Bridge after http://img11.imageshack.us/img11/3852/oly2vu6.jpg Side of Whistler Mountain after http://img10.imageshack.us/img10/6216/oly3io6.jpg Canada Place/Vancouver Convention & Exhibition Centre/Main Media Centre http://img9.imageshack.us/img9/4024/oly4ar1.jpg http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3648/...ed25052d_b.jpg Grouse Mountain (the middle mountain) will have massive Olympic rings atop its peak http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3193/...07591a2675.jpg |
Whoa I totally missed that article on VCB. I guess I was to busy on "reading" the Vancouver Model Profiles these guys do ;)
http://vancitybuzz.blogspot.com/2009...-carolina.html :tup: |
I haven't read that blog in a while seems like they have some decent Olympics stuff on it. Much better than the left wing bloggers who like to pan the Olympics any chance they get.
Here is another link if you fancy a gander: http://vancitybuzz.blogspot.com/2009...vancouver.html its about the real cost of the Olympics. |
i came across this article today..
full article here; http://travelvideo.tv/news/more.php?id=16915_0_1_0_M Wondering where the party spots will be during the Vancouver 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games? Below is a preliminary run-down of where the fun zones will be in Vancouver during February and March 2010. Robson Square – GE Ice Plaza (Robson Street, between Hornby and Howe streets) Robson Square’s outdoor ice rink is being reopened for the 2010 Winter Games thanks to sponsorship from the Province of British Columbia and General Electric. The GE Ice Plaza (opening in November) is expected to be one of the major gathering points during the Games and will feature athlete demonstrations, family events and BC-focused programming. In addition, Robson Square will be the location of CTV Canada AM’s daily broadcast and home of the BC International Media Centre (for journalists not accredited by the IOC). --- not for anything but couldn't Canada's "olympic network" find a better place to broadcast from like coal harbour or in the convention centre? the views in robson square would show....?? lame. |
^ well, it's only Canada AM.
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^ Great pics and info. Thanks!
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Lets be honest the only people that watch Canada AM are well, Canadian. They don't need to advertise Vancouver to the rest of Canada. Let's let the international media get the good locations.
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agreed. i didn't clue in it was canada AM. i thought it was CTV's main olympic desk so yeah, robson square makes sense.
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