2010 Vancouver Olympic & Paralympic Super-Thread

[SpongeG]

my friends husband works in the movie industry and has been laid off for 3 months because most of the movie stars cannot get hotels to stay in and thus can't come to town and work so there are no movies to work on - he works on big movies like Tron, Watchmen etc

so they are tightening the budget until its over - they didn't get much notice about it either

[BCPhil]

Originally Posted by SpongeG

thats still too much when most live on a tight budget again its free on TV and you get much better coverage - i grew up in a small town spent more than time in cold arenas no thanks

You get Free TV? I have to pay for mine. More if I want to watch the good games on PPV. My TV itself was expensive too. And my HD cable box, almost as much as the TV.

And if you think it is better on TV, then WHY COMPLAIN ABOUT THE PRICE OF TICKETS. If you do not enjoy going, then the market can decide the price for people who do. And it seems that there are plenty of people who WANT to go to the games who ARE going to go because almost every ticket to every event is sold out.

And so what if the tickets are expensive. That's money COMING BACK TO THE BC TAX PAYER. It helps cover the cost of this party. If you exclude the cost of infrastructure (like trains, buildings and highways that we need anyway, and get to keep after the games are over) and exclude the stupid cost of security (thanks Terrorists) the games themselves, the events and parties, almost break even from the sale of tickets, broadcast rights and sponsorship.

And if expensive tickets are bringing in foreign deep pockets to the city to watch games, then good, that's money that would other wise be spent in Europe, being spent here in our economy.

But I don't think the tickets are too expensive, I'm flat broke, don't own any actual property, but am going to 5 different events (even curling) because I WANT to enjoy this once in a life time opportunity in my home city. Some people chose to pay $300 to see U2, I want to see Olympic events.

[Stingray2004]

I'm still a bit perplexed about business 'shutting down' during the Olympic period. Back in 1986 we also had a movie industry, cruise ship industry, etc., etc.

Remember that attendance was well over 100,000/day on many occasions at the Expo '86 site, which was a phenomenal amount of people. And business still operated downtown as usual.

All hotels were booked downtown as well as Metro Vancouver for the duration of the event.

Numerous make-shift campgrounds were set up along the Hwy 99 corridor toward the U.S. border and they were full all summer long. It was certainly a site to behold. Never seen anything like that either before or since.

And after viewing the 10 pm fireworks from the Expo '86 site every night, traffic was almost akin to rush hour heading southbound toward the George Massey Tunnel every night at that time as well.

Spent a considable amount of my time down at the Expo '86 site and getting around the downtown core was never a problem.

Alot of the brouhaha over traffic disruptions, etc. is only planning for a worst case scenario IMHO.

[SpongeG]

Originally Posted by BCPhil

You get Free TV? I have to pay for mine. More if I want to watch the good games on PPV. My TV itself was expensive too. And my HD cable box, almost as much as the TV.

And if you think it is better on TV, then WHY COMPLAIN ABOUT THE PRICE OF TICKETS. If you do not enjoy going, then the market can decide the price for people who do. And it seems that there are plenty of people who WANT to go to the games who ARE going to go because almost every ticket to every event is sold out.

And so what if the tickets are expensive. That's money COMING BACK TO THE BC TAX PAYER. It helps cover the cost of this party. If you exclude the cost of infrastructure (like trains, buildings and highways that we need anyway, and get to keep after the games are over) and exclude the stupid cost of security (thanks Terrorists) the games themselves, the events and parties, almost break even from the sale of tickets, broadcast rights and sponsorship.

And if expensive tickets are bringing in foreign deep pockets to the city to watch games, then good, that's money that would other wise be spent in Europe, being spent here in our economy.

But I don't think the tickets are too expensive, I'm flat broke, don't own any actual property, but am going to 5 different events (even curling) because I WANT to enjoy this once in a life time opportunity in my home city. Some people chose to pay $300 to see U2, I want to see Olympic events.

the topic is people in BC are less than impressed now and paying $$ for events is pricey and for most families its too much

If I was a millionaire i wouldn't go to an event olympics or not - its not my thing bring an alexander mcqueen show to the city and i'll glady pay to see it

not my cup of tea - yes its a big event but like every other olympics i can watch them on TV ok yes there is a monthly cable charge smart one

i can still got to every friggin second rate Canadian band putting on a show in a tent in a parking lot and get the full experience and aovid watching sports

[SpongeG]

Originally Posted by Stingray2004

I'm still a bit perplexed about business 'shutting down' during the Olympic period. Back in 1986 we also had a movie industry, cruise ship industry, etc., etc.

Remember that attendance was well over 100,000/day on many occasions at the Expo '86 site, which was a phenomenal amount of people. And business still operated downtown as usual.

All hotels were booked downtown as well as Metro Vancouver for the duration of the event.

Numerous make-shift campgrounds were set up along the Hwy 99 corridor toward the U.S. border and they were full all summer long. It was certainly a site to behold. Never seen anything like that either before or since.

And after viewing the 10 pm fireworks from the Expo '86 site every night, traffic was almost akin to rush hour heading southbound toward the George Massey Tunnel every night at that time as well.

Spent a considable amount of my time down at the Expo '86 site and getting around the downtown core was never a problem.

Alot of the brouhaha over traffic disruptions, etc. is only planning for a worst case scenario IMHO.

but in todays economy businesses are not taking risks - they need to plan and count every penny

plus the security risk post 2001 is stepped up in 1986 you could cross the border with ease and not worry about a hate on for the west

[Denscity]

Everyone has had over 6 and a half years to save up for the Olympics. I'm going to be downtown every day and night, not pay a dime for one event, and still have my mind blown the entire time!

[SpongeG]

so am I

I love the "olympics" - i just don't care about the individual sporting events that make up most of them

maybe if they had project runway event and you could watch canada and china compete for best dress made of paper as you watch it happen that might be cool

I will still enjoy the whole thing just do it on the cheap

[BCPhil]

Originally Posted by SpongeG

the topic is people in BC are less than impressed now and paying $$ for events is pricey and for most families its too much

If I was a millionaire i wouldn't go to an event olympics or not - its not my thing bring an alexander mcqueen show to the city and i'll glady pay to see it

not my cup of tea - yes its a big event but like every other olympics i can watch them on TV ok yes there is a monthly cable charge smart one

i can still got to every friggin second rate Canadian band putting on a show in a tent in a parking lot and get the full experience and aovid watching sports

Right, so even if you don't enjoy the actual sports, you can still enjoy the atmosphere and have a good time. I mean, do you go to a bar with your friends JUST to drink beer, or do you go because you enjoy the company of friends and atmosphere?

I did everything I could think of (3 different computers running 3 different browsers each) to make sure I could get tickets. I'm that looking forward to attending events.

But I'm more looking forward to seeing this city busy. The Olympics are going to bring thousands here (and millions more on TV) that might never have heard of Vancouver, or at best think we live in igloos and all have a communal goat. I'm excited for the city of Vancouver, the Province of BC, and Canada to be on TV and the focus of so many people around the world. It's an exciting time and only a 2 or 3 week inconvenience for some out of their entire lives.

Expo 86 at the gate lost money. But that wasn't the point. You don't throw a kegger because you think you can make profit off charging per head, you do it to have a good time and because you're awesome.

(all my metaphors seem to be about drinking. TGIF!).

[NetMapel]

You throw a party not because it'll be profitable but because it'll increase your social status all around. I think this is a good investment for the future because this will surely attract more foreign investments, interests and immigration here.

[SpongeG]

i'm not into atmosphere - or paying for it - experience is experience at home or on the street watching it on a big screen with a few hundred other cheapouts

[SpongeG]

i was downtown wednesday its hard not to get caught up in the whole crapload of stuff going on - just seeing fences is exciting

its gonna be a bummer around here in April same old same old without anything to look forward too

[mooks28]

I don't understand this "I don't like it so no one else should" type attitude.

Whatever happened to community spirit?

[jlousa]

Can't believe people think the games are expensive, Can someone that thinks the tickets are too expensive tell me what they think they should cost and why

Wonder what people think of me considering the amount of tickets I have for the game... am I spoiled/disconnected with society as well?

These games are so much more inclusive then expo ever was, there are so many free events all over the city that you could have a better time hopping around them then acutally going to a single event. The same couldn't be said about Expo.

[Yume-sama]

lol, I wish I could post the pictures from this article (but it's Flash), it looks like a bad joke from Summer Heights High (an Australian show that was on HBO).

Russian skaters' Aborigine theme causes outcry
http://www.cbc.ca/canada/british-columbi...russian-skaters-aboriginal-olympics.html

[Waders]

Originally Posted by Yume-sama

lol, I wish I could post the pictures from this article (but it's Flash), it looks like a bad joke from Summer Heights High (an Australian show that was on HBO).

Russian skaters' Aborigine theme causes outcry
http://www.cbc.ca/canada/british-columbi...russian-skaters-aboriginal-olympics.html

Not sure why they select this theme.

Photo as appeared in ctvbc.ca:

[Yume-sama]

Thanks for finding that. I'm guessing the Aboriginal people of Australia are only upset that they are being made to look like... that.

See, now don't you want to watch figure skating ? And to think the Russians are usually one of the favorites to win.

[Waders]

Originally Posted by Yume-sama

Thanks for finding that. I'm guessing the Aboriginal people of Australia are only upset that they are being made to look like... that.

See, now don't you want to watch figure skating ? And to think the Russians are usually one of the favorites to win.

I have to say it really got my attention when I saw it on TV.
It is just very difficult to present this theme in the properly way.

Now if I were one of the judge, I am not sure how many points I want to award to the artistic work..

[SpongeG]

Originally Posted by jlousa

Can't believe people think the games are expensive, Can someone that thinks the tickets are too expensive tell me what they think they should cost and why

Wonder what people think of me considering the amount of tickets I have for the game... am I spoiled/disconnected with society as well?

These games are so much more inclusive then expo ever was, there are so many free events all over the city that you could have a better time hopping around them then acutally going to a single event. The same couldn't be said about Expo.

there not badly priced but they are overpriced if you don't like anything and i don't

i don't have kids or a family so i wouldn't to pay $100's of dollars for all the family to attend but when you add up 4 or 5 tickets per event you won its adds up though $50 X 4

the opening ceremonies started at $150 or $200 didn't they? i didn't pay attention but they aren't that cheap anymore

[Yume-sama]

Originally Posted by SpongeG

there not badly priced but they are overpriced if you don't like anything and i don't

I don't know what kind of logic that is to broadly denounce it as unaffordable. If you don't like sports, they aren't marketing it to you anyways

Like, re-read what you just said... and tell me it doesn't sound absurd.

[SpongeG]

it does but he asked a question and that was my answer

I wouldn't pay $50 to go to a canucks game or $15 to one either

anyway i saw on the news or somewhere a family paid $800 for 4 tickets to something

who has that much disposable income? I never did