2010 Vancouver Olympic & Paralympic Super-Thread

[Yume-sama]

They serve Molson Canadian inside Irish House? How authentic...

[touraccuracy]

^is that tent in the parking lot next to doolin's on nelson?

anything going on inside doolin's also?

[SpongeG]

thats inside the tent - it looks like that projector is just sitting on a table doesn't look so smart there

[raggedy13]

EDIT: Link to latest photo thread - http://forum.skyscraperpage.com/showthread.php?p=4690881#post4690881

Some pics I took yesterday. Expect a full thread (probably 2 full threads) in the photo subforum later today.

Guy who created this car being interviewed by media:


Info booth busy:


More filming:


Fake podium for photo-ops at Robson Square:


Structure at VAG and new plastic material covering the dirt/mud of the lawn:


Omega bobsled for people to take photos in:


More media:




And some more:


Pin trading and Team Latvia on Granville:

[raggedy13]

Team Moldova


Message board outside H-Mart (look for my upcoming photo thread to see close up of messages):


Lots of camera people around. I tried to get a photo of everyone I could see:




Four Host First Nations Pavilion


Alberta pavilion


There was a lot of loud music blaring from the village at the time:




Ontario pavilion


Backside of Quebec pavilion

[raggedy13]

Entrance to Molson Hockey House


Statue outside Molson Hockey House


Crowds filing into security zone for the opening ceremony rehearsal last night:


Team France and the Saskatchewan dome


A lot of Russians around Science World / Russky Dom


And this bizarre mouse character accompanying some Russian team members / media


And one last camera guy


Many more pics where those came from, but again look for my upcoming photo thread if interested.

EDIT: Link to latest photo thread - http://forum.skyscraperpage.com/showthread.php?p=4690881#post4690881

[Yume-sama]

Nice pics! The blue fuzzy Russian thing is Russia's Mickey Mouse

Cheburashka!
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cheburashka

He has been attending Olympics with different color of fur each time.

[djh]

Originally Posted by raggedy13

Entrance to Molson Hockey House


Crowds filing into security zone for the opening ceremony rehearsal last night:



Many more pics where those came from, but again look for my upcoming photo thread if interested.

I saw this over the weekend.
I have a feeling this is going to have something to do with the Olympic Flame...

To clarify: It's in the undeveloped triangular parking lot outside of BC Place, is a highly-visible location where Pacific Boulevard's two directions split, the parking lot has been cleared and this is the only thing there, surrounded by condos. And isn't there a requirement that the Olympic Flame has to be publicly visible throughout the Games? As I remember, the idea of the ring of fire around BC Place's roof was nixed earlier due to fears of problems with the roof fabric, so no flame can go up there. So where else would make sense?

[officedweller]

I think that's just a wrap around a scaffold though.

The public flame is at the VCCEP, isn't it?

[raggedy13]

FYI, for those interested in seeing more Olympic updates, I just made a full photo thread here: http://forum.skyscraperpage.com/showthread.php?p=4690881#post4690881

However, since I have so many photos there will be a second thread made shortly.

[mr.x]

^ awesome pics!




Rogge: Vancouver village is among Olympic best
The Canadian Press

Posted Tuesday, February 9, 2010 4:48 PM ET



VANCOUVER - Some athletes stopped and stared, others went on playing video games as the president of the International Olympic Committee and Canada's Governor General toured the Vancouver Olympic athletes village on Tuesday.

Jacques Rogge said he's been told the Vancouver and Whistler villages are the best people have ever seen.

He declared the Vancouver site was "wonderful.''

"Everything that I have seen is really outstanding,'' he said, before heading off to his own room at the village.

"It's a prime location, a good-quality building, a lot of comfort for the athletes.''

Rogge toured the site with other IOC executive members, stopping by an entertainment centre complete with pool tables, video games and leather-backed lounge chairs.

He chatted briefly with athletes there before moving through to one of the townhouses on the site.

As is his custom, Rogge will spend part of his time staying at site, dividing his nights there with those at the Olympic family hotel.

He said he's already heard that the rooms are quiet - an important feature for athletes.

"Sometimes after a victory an athlete can make some noise,'' he said.

"So you must be sure the other athletes are not woken up.''

Before heading off to his own room, Rogge stopped and had lunch at the dining hall, choosing some cheddar cheese, B.C. salmon, pasta, a diet Coke and a chocolate bar from among the various food stations available.

The Vancouver village is home to about 2,700 athletes and officials during the Games.

Gov. Gen. Michaelle Jean made a beeline for Canadian athletes in the dining hall as she toured the village on Tuesday.

"I tried to bring as much snow as I could with me,'' Jean told women's hockey team captain Hayley Wickenheiser.

She posed for photographs with members of Canada's curling team as well.

The 1,100 units in the billion dollar project are being sold off to the public after the Olympics and Paralympics are over.

While the Vancouver organizing committee contributed $30 million to the village, the cost and construction of the village was the responsibility of the City of Vancouver.

They were forced to take over the financing after the project's initial lenders stopped payment to the developers at the height of the global financial crisis in 2008.

Vancouver city manager Penny Ballem said she's given the village a "white-glove test'' and thinks athletes are in for the time of their lives.

"We should be so proud of this,'' she said in an interview in the village square.

[Locked In]

Awesome photos raggedy13! Everything seems to be coming together just in time.

Igloo at night, with the entrance completed. I went in to get a coffee this morning, and it's more-or-less translucent from inside. My photo, Feb 9:

[mr.x]

Olympians a-Twitter about ‘awesome’ Athlete’s Village


By LORI CULBERT, Vancouver Sun
February 9, 2010 6:02 PM

VANCOUVER -- With the possible exception of any Aussies still upset over the flag flap, it seems most Olympians are giving top marks to Vancouver's new athletes' village.

Many of the competitors now arriving in Vancouver are abuzz on Twitter about their temporary home on south False Creek.

Canadian women's hockey team member Meaghan Mikkelson tweeted at 11:15 a.m. Monday: "Checked in at the AMAZING Olympic Village! Loving every minute of it."

Her teammate Hayley Wickenheiser agreed, posting earlier Monday: "Arrived in the Village and everything looks great!"

U.S. curler Nicole Joraanstad gushed on her Twitter page Sunday: "I am still in awe of the Olympic Village. Someone pinch me!"

Joraanstad posted a photo of an attractive, although sparsely furnished, room with floor-to-ceiling windows and endless views of boats docked in False Creek and downtown skyscrapers.

It's likely good karma for city hall that the athletes like the eco-friendly building, since the $1-billion project went approximately $130 million over budget.

The only public protest within the village so far was from Australians who were ordered last week to remove their beloved boxing kangaroo flag from the outside of the building, because the International Olympic Commission had corporate marketing concerns about it. The IOC eventually relented, and the kangaroo is still flying.

Apolo Ohno, the popular U.S. short track speed skater, tweeted on Sunday that he and other athletes were having fun hanging out at the village. "Have some downtime and we are marinating in the village while watching the Superbowl."

In an earlier post on Saturday, Ohno gushed: "The Olympic Village here in CA is beautiful. Awesome facilities and the hospitality is amazing. Vancity is an incredible place."

Another U.S. speed skater, Chad Hedrick, told his Twitter followers: "The athlete village here in Vancouver is incredible! I have a two-bedroom condo overlooking the city and water. Good times!"

A later post by Hedrick is perhaps the highest praise Vancouver could hope for: "I keep telling everyone this years Olympics is going to be tough to beat in the future. Congrats Vancouver for making this one to remember."

But perhaps Lauren Cholewinski, a U.S. long track speed skater, said it the best in a post on Thursday: "moved into the olympic village today!! i think i have fallin in love with the olympics."

[email protected]
© Copyright (c) The Vancouver Sun

[CLC]

Huge crowds paralyzed traffic in Central Richmond earlier tonight. I figured more than 20000 people, OZone was overflowed. Too little police presence I think

According to news, a record 30000 people turnout for torch-relaying event and celebration:
http://www.bclocalnews.com/breaking_news/83989047.html

[Yume-sama]

Wow. Way to go Richmond!

I was watching the news with my Father who was over tonight and they showed this, he seems perplexed that so many people want to come out to "Look at a damn Flame!"

Then I mentioned the Flame would be running past my apartment at about 9AM and he said "Oh! I'd be out there at 7 to get a good spot"

[SpongeG]

haha it was kinda thrilling to see it the other night

[NetMapel]

Thousands line White Rock streets for passing of the torch

he Olympic spirit was alive and well on the Semiahmoo Peninsula Tuesday, as thousands braved the early morning chill to catch the excitement of the Olympic torch relay.

With three days to go before the 2010 Games begin, a sea of red-dressed souls, young and old, lined the streets from South Point Exchange to Marine Drive and over to Peace Arch Park to cheer on the flame.

“It was cold, but really cool,” said Samara Bouchey, who sang with the White Rock Children’s Choir at the Peace Arch.

“You’re kind of a part of the Games.”

The early-hour arrival – the torch left South Point at 6:12 a.m. – did little to quell anticipation, as parents hoisted youngsters for a better view, huge Canadian flags were waved and crowds broke into bursts of O Canada.

On Marine Drive, spectators jostled for the best view. The excitement crescendoed at the torch’s final local stop, Peace Arch Park, where B.C., Washington and First Nations dignitaries gathered to celebrate the torch’s only cross-border venture.

Semiahmoo First Nation torchbearer Rayne Williams passed the flame to U.S. torchbearer and former Olympian Phil Mahre, who brought the flame through the Peace Arch from the U.S. side to light the cauldron in Canada.

Williams, 14, described the opportunity to carry the torch as “a great honour.”

“It was amazing,” she said, between posing for photos with fellow Olympic enthusiasts.

Premier Gordon Campbell described the relay as “a golden thread that has united our country” and strengthened bonds beyond the border.

Washington Gov. Christine Gregoire agreed. She described the Peace Arch site as “a beautiful place to celebrate the spirit of the Olympics,” and made a tongue-in-cheek promise to cheer on her neighbour’s athletes.

“I want you to know, premier – right behind the U.S.A., we’re cheering for Canada,” Gregoire said.

Little White Rock shows big heart Proud of my home city ! I couldn't go because I was on my way on the bus to volunteer at that time

[Prometheus]

Germany House has an interesting location: http://www.flickr.com/photos/luciansavluc/4343878845/sizes/l/

[Yume-sama]

Don't they have like... 3 houses? One is VIP (I think that one), one is public (the one by Steamworks) and then of course German Saxony House.

The Germans have invaded!

[zivan56]

FYI Google has the Olympic Village on Streetview...same with Whistler and an INSANE amount of ski trails up there!