2010 Olympic Torch Relay Tracker: Torch reroute in Downtown Eastside

[djh]

Originally Posted by Yume-sama

Well, in addition to the thousands of "normal" people, you do need some big names to get publicity.

I would have thought they'd kinda make sure they are Canadian, at least, though.

Besides, Arnold has contributed great things to humanity such as "Jingle All The Way" and "Kindergarten Cop".

I don't get why an American would be running the the Canadian Winter Olympics. I bet when the games are in America, they pick full-on American Citizens to do the run.

A big part of the run should be about national pride, otherwise you just might as well invite anybody in the World who we think has done great things to be involved, if we're looking for media surprises.

Does this set a precedent? Because if VANOC think it's OK to include Arnie, that completely changes the end game for who could be the final carrier. We were all assuming it would be a great Canadian, as that's what we've seen so far. But allowing Arnie means we have to think again...who do we know internationally that LOVES being in front of the camera, needs a popularity boost, and could get in and out of Vancouver within a short time and not be missed in his-er, their home base...

[touraccuracy]

Originally Posted by zivan56

That's just stupid...unless these people have large charities that contribute to helping people, they shouldn't be allowed to carry the torch. What have they done that gives them the right to carry it? I guess they know people who are heads of the major sponsors...

the only one that really stands out by your definition would be arnold... but he's the leader of the largest american state (with more people than our whole country) and an important business/trading partner and ally.

the rest are local celebs / sports heros and charity founders

[Yume-sama]

Originally Posted by djh

I don't get why an American would be running the the Canadian Winter Olympics. I bet when the games are in America, they pick full-on American Citizens to do the run.

A big part of the run should be about national pride, otherwise you just might as well invite anybody in the World who we think has done great things to be involved, if we're looking for media surprises.

Does this set a precedent? Because if VANOC think it's OK to include Arnie, that completely changes the end game for who could be the final carrier. We were all assuming it would be a great Canadian, as that's what we've seen so far. But allowing Arnie means we have to think again...who do we know internationally that LOVES being in front of the camera, needs a popularity boost, and could get in and out of Vancouver within a short time and not be missed in his-er, their home base...

Stephen Harper!!!

[Rusty Gull]

Originally Posted by djh

I don't get why an American would be running the the Canadian Winter Olympics. I bet when the games are in America, they pick full-on American Citizens to do the run.

I wouldn't read too much into it. Campbell owes Arnie big-time for his historic P3 visit a few years ago. We're lucky the big guy is giving Vancouver the time of day - his carrying of the torch ensures major league coverage in the most lucrative media market in the world, that being the state of California.

Besides, there's a rumour that Arnie is going to land a helicopter on top of the Cheerios building.

[mr.x]

Originally Posted by djh

I don't get why an American would be running the the Canadian Winter Olympics. I bet when the games are in America, they pick full-on American Citizens to do the run.

A big part of the run should be about national pride, otherwise you just might as well invite anybody in the World who we think has done great things to be involved, if we're looking for media surprises.

Does this set a precedent? Because if VANOC think it's OK to include Arnie, that completely changes the end game for who could be the final carrier. We were all assuming it would be a great Canadian, as that's what we've seen so far. But allowing Arnie means we have to think again...who do we know internationally that LOVES being in front of the camera, needs a popularity boost, and could get in and out of Vancouver within a short time and not be missed in his-er, their home base...

This is VANOC's version of doing a global torch relay at home, whereas ATHOC and BOCOG brought the 2004 and 2008 torch relays around the world. Face it, the Olympics are an international event...these stars/foreigeners are just one tiny blib in the whole scheme of things, the vast majority of torch bearers have been Canadians.

[officedweller]

At this point its all about the buzz.

The Today Show's Matt Lauer will be running with the torch too.

[Yume-sama]

Originally Posted by officedweller

At this point its all about the buzz.

The Today Show's Matt Lauer will be running with the torch too.

Oohhh! I wish it was Al Roker! It's my goal to meet him some time this month...

[djh]

Originally Posted by Rusty Gull

I wouldn't read too much into it. Campbell owes Arnie big-time for his historic P3 visit a few years ago. We're lucky the big guy is giving Vancouver the time of day - his carrying of the torch ensures major league coverage in the most lucrative media market in the world, that being the state of California.

Besides, there's a rumour that Arnie is going to land a helicopter on top of the Cheerios building.

Playing Devil's advocate here, but:
So what if Campbell owes Arnie, and why are we 'lucky' to have this beamed into America? Yes, the Games are about many things apart from Sport, but ultimately, event the politician's keep saying "This Is Canada's Games" so why do we have to ensure the USA feels involved, and why would be have to try and boost our viewership numbers there? It won't make the games 'better', and it won't even lead to more money for any Canadian companies. It reminds me of people who are desperate for hits on their website, or friends on their facebook page, but not thinking about the ultimate goal.

I would rather see only Canadians run the torch relay, sorry. And yes it's nice to have US-familiar faces, even celebrities, but for goodness sake, couldn't anybody call all of the Canadian celebs based abroad and assemble an all-star list that trumps Arnie, and they could pass the torch relay-style between them?! From Keifer Sutherland to Donald Sutherland to Mike Myers to David Forster to Leslie Nielsen to William Gibson to Celine Dion to Jim Carey to Alanis Morrissette to Shania Twain to James Cameron to Ryan Gosling to Rachel McAdams to Avril Lavigne to Douglas Coupland to Jim Balsille to Nelly Furtado to Keanu Reeves to Neil Young to Joshua Jackson to Coco Rocha to Bryan Adams to Seth Rogan to Michael J Fox to Linda Evangelista to Leonard Cohen to Sarah McLachlan Pamela Anderson to Galen Weston to Frank Stronach to Guy Lalibertie to Roberto Luongo to Julie Payette to Wayne Gretzky to the head of the Canadian troops?

Now the World would rather see THAT than the Terminator.

[/Devil's Advocate] - but you get my point

[SpongeG]

there are so many world leaders, state leaders etc in town

anyway I saw the flame tonight! in surrey! didn't even know - was going to stop at the grocery store before dropping off my friend and there were huge crowds of people lining 104th and it hit me oh right the flame! so we got to the store parked did the shopping came out just in time to see the parade

it was like this - a few police, than an RBC truck blasting music getting the people pumped, than more police and people in cars caught in the "parade" and than some coca-cola truck float things talking to teh crowd and blasting music too and than more police and more police - on motorcycles, bicycles, cars, vans etc and than the RV thing and than the flame and than more RV things and the crowd starts running with the flame - there was also a helicopter overhead for most of it

it was really cool to see and a complete surprise since we just stumbled onto the right spot at the right time

[Stingray2004]

Originally Posted by Rusty Gull

We're lucky the big guy is giving Vancouver the time of day - his carrying of the torch ensures major league coverage in the most lucrative media market in the world, that being the state of California.

Excellent analysis!

[SpongeG]

australian news mention arnie and buble!

[Spork]

I caught the end of the celebration in Surrey tonight. There were was a huge amount of people there - probably about 10,000-15,000 - it was very hard to move around. There were also some fireworks that were set off of the mall's roof, which was pretty cool to see. I realized that I had never seen fireworks set against a building before today.

Central City's top bit was also lit up blue (along with the side). You can see it a bit in the photo below.

[SpongeG]

cool when i was leaving 104th one dude was saying holland park would be busy maybe they should skip it there will probably be a few thousand people there... he underestimated i think

[Rusty Gull]

Originally Posted by djh

Playing Devil's advocate here, but:
So what if Campbell owes Arnie, and why are we 'lucky' to have this beamed into America? Yes, the Games are about many things apart from Sport, but ultimately, event the politician's keep saying "This Is Canada's Games" so why do we have to ensure the USA feels involved, and why would be have to try and boost our viewership numbers there? It won't make the games 'better', and it won't even lead to more money for any Canadian companies.
[/Devil's Advocate] - but you get my point

Yes, I hear you. But really, it's not like the Americans are trying to steal our Games. Their treatment of the Games - at least from what I've seen on NBC (and not counting Stephen Colbert, which is parody anyhow) - has been respectful if not glowing.

These are Canada's Games, true, but do we really want them to be the CanCon games? If Arnie and Matt Lauer want to run with the torch, what the hell. Let them have their moment.

And yes, there is a payoff for this. The state of California is one of the most important places to draw tourists to BC from.

[g35]

News1130 said 20,000 people at Holland Park.

[WarrenC12]

I was at Holland Park last night. I happened to be in the area and saw the torch go down KG and around the corner. Pretty cool stuff. Good to see everybody pumped up and NO negative nancies!

[SpongeG]

yah i think the positive ones will drown any of the negative ones

[Yume-sama]

I'm surprised there have been no problems yet. Only someone getting stabbed in the neck in Surrey.

But, meh, that's what they call Tuesday in Surrey.

[SpongeG]

haha yeah

the torch was briefly in the USA today a US athlete ran with it

[Rusty Gull]

An absolute gong-show at Lonsdale Quay and the Seabus terminal this morning. I've never seen anything like it. It's probably a good preview of what is about to go down tomorrow through the streets of Vancouver.