Hudson Bay Olympics
As the torch slowly winds its way across the country, here in Vancouver, it’s increasingly tough to get away from the reality that the Olympics are coming and coming soon.
Indeed, you’d have to be on the moon here in Vancouver to not notice that the city is starting to feel awash in Olympic-boosterism.
Almost everyday there’s a new story coming out of one of the major new media outlets about the Olympics. A trip to the Bay reveals a store jammed with an entire new section of Olympic themed swag. Outside, in the downtown core, huge banners of athletes hang proudly as city work crews frantically finish the last bits of construction in advance of the coming tourist hoards.
But for many of us who won’t be enjoying the party but will be feeling the hangover the next day, their are mixed feelings about the whole thing.
Torch to torch across Canada
On the one hand, it’s an exciting time. Thousands of international guests, dignitaries, and visitors will be visiting our city from around the world. The business opportunities could well be stellar. Plus, even without tickets, it’s likely that most people will be able to find their way to at least one Olympic related party (there will certainly be enough of them going on). Worse case scenario – there’s always the big screen TVs in community centres. Plus the opportunity to watch or participate in the biggest winter sporting event in the world is pretty nifty – especially if Canada manages to win big.
On the other hand are the list of potential headaches. There’s the traffic congestion, the security hassle, and the general feeling that most tickets are going to companies rather than fans. Add to this that our own government recently dropped over $1 million for 2010 tickets which will be turned over to “foreign dignitaries, international investors, and BC’s biggest customers and future customers,” and it becomes apparent why many Vancouverites are feeling a bit left out in the cold (no pun intended) over the whole two week long event they will be hosting.
Where's the torch heading next?
I won’t lie – the whole thing had left me a bit ambivalent.
Yet as the Games get closer, the Olympic Fever is becoming increasingly contagious.
The other day, cloistered in a small pub in Gastown, I had a chance to chat with several torch bearers about their whole experience. Both felt incredibly proud about the opportunity to participate in the ceremony and they both spoke glowingly of the feeling of unity they felt as part of the relay. Their enthusiasm for the whole thing was infectious. And it wasn’t enthusiasm culled from any type of Quachi-inspired boosterism. It seemed like it was coming from some place much deeper. An opportunity to participate in something enormous. To be a small cog in a big machine that slowly winding its way through Canadian communities far and wide.
In the end, the 106-day Olympic torch relay will span 45,000 kilometers and visit more than 1,000 communities with the help of 12,000 torch bearers. Just the thought of the geographic breath of the whole thing is startling.
And, truth be told, it’s kind of exciting.
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Great post, Kurt. I too stuggle to get on board with the Olympics for a couple of reasons. First, the amount of funding for mental health services that has been cut in BC (sure, there is no direct correlation between the millions of dollars cut to the millions of dollars added to the 2010 Olympics budget, but we can certainly draw conclusions). Second, the recent legislation passed that will allow police to escort homeless folks (many of whom are mentally ill) into shelters this winter; I know the Olympics are happening in 2010, not 1984, but there is an unfortunate connection to be made here, too.
All this being said, when Canada makes it to that Gold Medal Hockey Game, well, I’m pretty sure that the Olympic fervor of which you wrote will totally consume me. Undoubtedly, I’ll be at the head of the stampede through Commercial Drive, celebrating the success of our team. Hopefully such a party will be worth the hangover!
Well done, good sir.
It will indeed John. Just make sure you don’t cross the security check points on the Drive in your revelry!
I remember many of the same worries and concerns leading up to Expo 86. Once the party is here I think the enthusiasm will carry the day. It’s international attention that money just can’t buy, and we’ll end up with infrastructure (Canada Line, new Sea to Sky Hwy) that was sorely needed.
There’s always something better to spend money on, but there is real value in being a part of large events that the more cynical side of us doesn’t want to acknowledge.
Jon – for me the infrastructure thing is the biggie and you are right – the projects completed were sorely needed. I think you’re also correct on the idea of being part of something that’s bigger. It’s just hard to see what that “something” is right now several months out…
History has shown the true and allencompassing value of the Olympics. They create huge revenue, infrastructure like John said, and long term tourism off-sets. This is a no-brainer for Canada, especially experts are picking us to win the Olympics outright and the USA to win the most golds.
Police should get homeless off the street and out of the way if it distracts from the event.
- Pete