2010 Vancouver Olympic & Paralympic Super-Thread - Page 53

VanHowe · #**1041** Posted **Jan 30, 2010, 8:14 PM**

I hope that if that is true that Betty at least hands the torch to Wayne with some sort of acknowledgment of Terry Fox.
We have seen those CTV Do you believe ads for awhile now. Apparently this is the song that defines the campaign. Could this be the Olympic anthem so to speak for Vancouver?
I believe in the power that comes
From a world brought together as one
I believe together we'll fly
I believe in the power of you and I

This is the moment
We have dreamed of all our lives
We'll be the change we wish from others
Will stand tall for what is right

And in my heart there'll be no doubt
The arms of the world will come reaching out
And embrace me to be all I can be
No, nothing can stop me
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WIyUBdukE0M&feature=related

hollywoodnorth · #**1042** Posted **Jan 30, 2010, 8:20 PM**

Betty Fox would be a joke........people would enter the Stadium walking past the PIECE OF SHIT Terry Fox memorial on Robson and Beatty........that thing is a JOKE.

here we are wanting to show respect to Terry Fox by having his mom light the thing...sure I hear ya and even agree........BUT IF WE TRULY RESPECT TERRY WHAT THE F**K ABOUT THE MEMORIAL? that thing is such a POS it makes me cringe......it's an embarrassment.....

vanman · #**1043** Posted **Jan 30, 2010, 8:51 PM**

^Completely agree. They should bulldoze it and build something that is worthy of a Terry Fox memorial, not an 80s pomo clusterfuck.

Yume-sama · #**1044** Posted **Jan 30, 2010, 8:58 PM**

I don't like the choice of Wayne Gretzky. What, exactly has he accomplished on an International stage, aside from losing in 1998? But it's better than the alternative of Fox.

Just don't see what at all Terry Fox has to do with the Winter Olympics. He's not really relevant (and his mother is REALLY not relevant), and I've been getting Terry Fox saturation every single year since I was in grade school.

Did I just commit some cardinal sin of Canadian "culture"

?

nova9 · #**1045** Posted **Jan 30, 2010, 9:10 PM**

yes you did. haha.

the nature of our nation does not allow for an easy choice. every candidate will have their naysayers. makes things very difficult.

would you rather see someone that best represents BC or best represents Canada?

Yume-sama · #**1046** Posted **Jan 30, 2010, 9:12 PM**

It should probably be someone who best represents Canadian (winter) sport. So, an argument could be made for Wayne Gretzky as he is the best representative of *the* Canadian sport.

He's a big name, I guess. When it comes down to it, who will people in every other Country have at least heard of before? Even an American can equate him with Michael Jordan

But, I don't like him personally lol

GeeCee · #**1047** Posted **Jan 30, 2010, 9:12 PM**

He's pretty well-known around the world for his accomplishments in playing hockey. Most americans, at least, if they don't know anything about hockey whatsoever will be able to name Wayne Gretzky..

VanHowe · #**1048** Posted **Jan 30, 2010, 9:33 PM**

The reason why the Fox family is "relevant" to the Olympics is stated in your last post. Every school in Canada I am sure does Terry Fox Runs in Canada and they happen in many other countries as well. His dream is still alive and he will continue to inspire others. He is a household name for most Canadians who have grown up learning about his story. At least a reference to him will give a platform for the world to learn about his story which raises so much money for cancer research. We are breaking all the rules anyway by being the first indoor Olympic opening ceremony. Why not piggyback on Beijing and have an effigy of Terry run around the circumference of the roof.

Yume-sama · #**1049** Posted **Jan 30, 2010, 9:45 PM**

That doesn't make him relevant to the Winter Olympics.

Pan-Am games in Toronto, sure, why not

SpongeG · #**1050** Posted **Jan 30, 2010, 9:48 PM**

maybe they should use anne of green gables

Yume-sama · #**1051** Posted **Jan 30, 2010, 9:52 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by SpongeG

maybe they should use anne of green gables

Or Winnie the Pooh. Yes, the author was British, but Canada often claims Winnie the Pooh based on the fact the bear was from Canada. And named after Winnipeg.

Spork · #**1052** Posted **Jan 30, 2010, 9:54 PM**

My vote is for a well trained performance polar bear. Sure it would only be able to stumble on its hind legs with a flame strapped to its paw for about 10 feet, but imagine the sight! They could hand out donation forms for WWF during the ceremonies! Genius!

SpongeG · #**1053** Posted **Jan 30, 2010, 9:58 PM**

how about norm grohman

mr.x · #**1054** Posted **Jan 30, 2010, 10:24 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by VanHowe

The reason why the Fox family is "relevant" to the Olympics is stated in your last post. Every school in Canada I am sure does Terry Fox Runs in Canada and they happen in many other countries as well. His dream is still alive and he will continue to inspire others. He is a household name for most Canadians who have grown up learning about his story. At least a reference to him will give a platform for the world to learn about his story which raises so much money for cancer research. We are breaking all the rules anyway by being the first indoor Olympic opening ceremony. Why not piggyback on Beijing and have an effigy of Terry run around the circumference of the roof.

If Terry were still alive, sure he would be a great choice as the final torch bearer.

But he has been DEAD for 30 YEARS...and you want his MOTHER to light it?

I have great respect for Terry, but am I the only one to not see the insanity of that Facebook group?

Yume-sama · #**1055** Posted **Jan 30, 2010, 10:30 PM**

All I know is more people watch the Opening Ceremony than will end up watching the entire rest of the Olympics, expecting big things. We better not screw that up

It's a 2 hour commercial for Vancouver. We best use it wisely, and not be typically Canadian mediocre, that nobody other than us will understand.

I can't even bring myself to watch a Canadian award show like the Juno's where we have to pay people to stand by the red carpet and act like they are fans!

mr.x · #**1056** Posted **Jan 30, 2010, 10:52 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Yume-sama

All I know is more people watch the Opening Ceremony than will end up watching the entire rest of the Olympics, expecting big things. We better not screw that up

It's a 2 hour commercial for Vancouver. We best use it wisely, and not be typically Canadian mediocre, that nobody other than us will understand.

I can't even bring myself to watch a Canadian award show like the Juno's where we have to pay people to stand by the red carpet and act like they are fans!

I don't think David Atkins would associate himself with mediocrity after his stunning shows at Sydney and Doha. I'm sure BC Place is spectacular inside right now, the only thing worrying might be the content: too much focus on the aboriginals/"First Four First Host Hations"...that gets repeated a lot, even during yesterday's announcement for the flag bearer at the opening.

BTW, interesting insight on the Ceremonies from someone at GB:

Some small speculation about the structure of the ceremonies considering David Atkins last two ceremonies works:

1) Sydney 2000 had probably the best national anthem performance ever on an OC. Qatar anthem was pretty good as well on the 2006 Asiad. Probably they'll make a great rendition of the Canadian anthem.
2) Both ceremonies had a huge stage at one of the tribunes of the stadia (NOTE: After seeing how the seats are distributed i'm not sure if this will happen again on Vancouver) MR.X EDIT: yes, there will be a large stage at one end of the stadium...it looks a lot like Sydney's
2) Both Doha and Sydney had young kids as the main characters of the ceremonies storyline, which was an element that connected the performances each other. I'm looking for something different this time.
3) Doha and Sydney had like three or four song performances on the OC (while Beijing and Athens only had like one or two). They would probably use a couple of song to open and/or conclude the parade of nations, and a song for the last leg of the torch relay before reaching the cauldron.
4) They used lots of horses (and elephants in Doha) on both of these ceremonies. And since Canada has the RCMP...

SpongeG · #**1057** Posted **Jan 30, 2010, 11:01 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by mr.x

If Terry were still alive, sure he would be a great choice as the final torch bearer.

But he has been DEAD for 30 YEARS...and you want his MOTHER to light it?

I have great respect for Terry, but am I the only one to not see the insanity of that Facebook group?

no stupidest idea ever and I will say it

Yume-sama · #**1058** Posted **Jan 30, 2010, 11:06 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by SpongeG

no stupidest idea ever and I will say it

Well, stupider would be Gordon Campbell handing off the torch to Stephen Harper, but this is close enough.

jlousa · #**1059** Posted **Jan 30, 2010, 11:12 PM**

I'd like to see Gordy Howe light the flame, he's Mr. Hockey and who better to represent Canada. He has ties to Vancouver with his involvement in the Giants as well. He should light it to Stompin Tom's Good ole hockey game playing over the speakers. Who care if the rest of the world is looking at us dumbstruck, we'd all be smiling.

SpongeG · #**1060** Posted **Jan 30, 2010, 11:48 PM**

is this the post office one?

espn olympics photo wire
Construction workers walk on the top of a temporary stage being constructed for Winter Olympics festivities as one-half of an oversized Canadian flag covers the side of a building in Vancouver, British Columbia, on Saturday, Jan. 30, 2010. Over the past few weeks the city has been transformed with businesses being decorated and Olympic banners and advertising going up. The games open February 12. (AP Photo/The Canadian Press, Darryl Dyck)