Posted Feb 16, 2009, 2:50 AM
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Join Date: Dec 2003
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"Olympic benefits are about so much more than just economics" - Gordon Campbell
Quote:
Olympic benefits are about so much more than just economics
Gordon Campbell, Special to the Sun
Published: Thursday, February 12, 2009
One year from today, British Columbia's place in history will forever change when the Olympic torch is lit and the eyes of the world turn to our province.
Most of us know the direct benefits of hosting the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games -- the 244,000 jobs the Games create; the marketing opportunity to showcase our province to the world through 15,000 international media who will come to cover the Games; and the legacies the Games will leave behind for our children to enjoy.
But the thing that will have the greatest impact is how the Games will inspire our kids, and our whole province.
Like Expo 86, the Games will show that British Columbians can do anything we set our minds to. We can host the world, we can unite our province and our country, and we can leave B.C. a better place for future generations.
For my generation, many of us think about skier Nancy Greene when we think of Olympic pride. Do you remember the sense of pride we all felt when Rossland's most famous athlete won gold in Grenoble? A generation of British Columbians was inspired by the knowledge that they, too, could pursue their dreams, and achieve excellence in sport on the world stage.
One of those British Columbians who followed the legacy left by Nancy Greene is Paralympian skier Lauren Woolstencroft. Her medal-winning performances in Salt Lake City and Torino are inspiring a whole new generation of athletes.
Young athletes look up to their heroes on the podium. Olympic and Paralympic athletes represent the pinnacle of sporting achievement, and help to motivate others to stay focused on their dreams, and to continue to work hard to realize them.
And despite all the differences that exist in our country, we come together as one nation to cheer on Canadian athletes as they take on the world.
The Olympic and Paralympic games represent one of the great opportunities for individuals, families, communities, and a country to come together in a spirit competition and national pride.
Hosting the Olympic and Paralympic Games in 2010 is a huge honour for B.C. and Canada. It's the biggest promotional opportunity possible, and B.C. will take full advantage of the exposure.
The infrastructure investments we're making are also keeping people working in challenging economic times. The legacies in sporting and community facilities will benefit British Columbians for decades.
But I'm most looking forward to seeing the pride on the faces of B.C.'s youth when they see our athletes step up to the podium to accept their medals.
Gordon Campbell is premier of British Columbia.
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http://www2.canada.com/vancouversun/news...?id=b39dab52-7825-4b88-a844-fbc5f9a4e500
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