Vancouver Winter Olympics
Jan 12th 2010 | 1:03 pm
#62
Just Joined
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 21
Re: Vancouver Winter Olympics
Some of the posts in this forum have really made me smile.
I like the Olympian-Homeless Buddy idea very much. Perhaps, if the idea of buddying athletes with homeless people from the DTES is too challenging/scary for VANOC, they could team some of the athletes up with the 200 or so homeless people that were evicted from Whistler to Squamish last week for the duration of the games 'for security reasons'?
I do not mean to be a killjoy but for us the Olympics has been a bit of a pain so far. We've had less access to sport facilities we use this year due to Olympic personnel training. Now that the event is almost here, it looks like it will simply mean a whole bunch of parking/stopping restrictions. From the information being given out, we think that we should avoid downtown because it will be mobbed by visitors. My husband works on the edge of a security zone and he has a boat moored inside another security zone. He is worried about his commute and worried that he might not be allowed down to work on the boat during February/March.
So far, I am not sure I have seen much evidence that there is much in this event for local residents. In fact, many of the people that I know have decided to give Vancouver a very wide berth during the games (staying/working from home or have booked holidays elsewhere). A tutor that I know has told me that their work has been cancelled during the Games because their main place of employment is inside a security zone. Others are being told to adjust their work hours to accommodate the Games.
I just get the impression that people are steeling themselves for the arrival of the Games, rather than looking forwards to it?
I like the Olympian-Homeless Buddy idea very much. Perhaps, if the idea of buddying athletes with homeless people from the DTES is too challenging/scary for VANOC, they could team some of the athletes up with the 200 or so homeless people that were evicted from Whistler to Squamish last week for the duration of the games 'for security reasons'?
I do not mean to be a killjoy but for us the Olympics has been a bit of a pain so far. We've had less access to sport facilities we use this year due to Olympic personnel training. Now that the event is almost here, it looks like it will simply mean a whole bunch of parking/stopping restrictions. From the information being given out, we think that we should avoid downtown because it will be mobbed by visitors. My husband works on the edge of a security zone and he has a boat moored inside another security zone. He is worried about his commute and worried that he might not be allowed down to work on the boat during February/March.
So far, I am not sure I have seen much evidence that there is much in this event for local residents. In fact, many of the people that I know have decided to give Vancouver a very wide berth during the games (staying/working from home or have booked holidays elsewhere). A tutor that I know has told me that their work has been cancelled during the Games because their main place of employment is inside a security zone. Others are being told to adjust their work hours to accommodate the Games.
I just get the impression that people are steeling themselves for the arrival of the Games, rather than looking forwards to it?
Jan 12th 2010 | 2:19 pm
#63
slanderer of the innocent
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 6,695
From: Vancouver, BC
Re: Vancouver Winter Olympics
Some of the posts in this forum have really made me smile.
I like the Olympian-Homeless Buddy idea very much. Perhaps, if the idea of buddying athletes with homeless people from the DTES is too challenging/scary for VANOC, they could team some of the athletes up with the 200 or so homeless people that were evicted from Whistler to Squamish last week for the duration of the games 'for security reasons'?
I just get the impression that people are steeling themselves for the arrival of the Games, rather than looking forwards to it?
I like the Olympian-Homeless Buddy idea very much. Perhaps, if the idea of buddying athletes with homeless people from the DTES is too challenging/scary for VANOC, they could team some of the athletes up with the 200 or so homeless people that were evicted from Whistler to Squamish last week for the duration of the games 'for security reasons'?
I just get the impression that people are steeling themselves for the arrival of the Games, rather than looking forwards to it?
Jan 12th 2010 | 3:16 pm
#64
Binned by Muderators
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 11,708
From: White Rock BC
Re: Vancouver Winter Olympics
My tickets arrived today.
Woo! Yeah!
Woo! Yeah!
Jan 12th 2010 | 5:15 pm
#66
half a century
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 10,222
From: Sarf Lundun to East Van :)
Jan 12th 2010 | 7:59 pm
#67
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 1,222
From: Vancouver, BC (originally from Huddersfield, W. Yorkshire)
Jan 13th 2010 | 3:06 am
#68
Forum Regular
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 269
Re: Vancouver Winter Olympics
Keep summer Olympics in Greece where they started, find somewhere to put the winter Olympics permanently. Everyone who wants to take part pays a maintenance fee etc. Anyone who wants to attend can plan accordingly and the rest of us can get on with our lives without all the hassles imposed wherever the Olympics is held. Would be cheaper for everyone, security would be easier to maintain and no one would be moved about each time since it would be a permanent solution.
Kristina
Kristina
Jan 13th 2010 | 8:49 am
#70
Pea Brain
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 6,005
From: TBD
Re: Vancouver Winter Olympics
Keep summer Olympics in Greece where they started, find somewhere to put the winter Olympics permanently. Everyone who wants to take part pays a maintenance fee etc. Anyone who wants to attend can plan accordingly and the rest of us can get on with our lives without all the hassles imposed wherever the Olympics is held. Would be cheaper for everyone, security would be easier to maintain and no one would be moved about each time since it would be a permanent solution.
Prior to BC having new winter games facilities, most athletes had to base themselves at the old Olympic national training centre in Calgary. That's not always realistic when you've got family or career commitments elsewhere.
A centralised host for games would just ensure that infrastructure stagnates everywhere else. The knock on effect of new facilities is that the whole local community (or population, in smaller countries than Canada) benefit from improvements in sport and recreation opportunities. A healthy, participatory population is surely a worthwhile net benefit?
Jan 13th 2010 | 8:54 am
#71
Pea Brain
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 6,005
From: TBD
Re: Vancouver Winter Olympics
Logistically, it's a once in a lifetime (minor) inconvenience. I don't understand why it's not being embraced for the opportunities it offers, rather than seen as a PITA.
It's a privilege to host an Olympic games, so why not make the most of the investment made and the spectacle it'll be?
It's a privilege to host an Olympic games, so why not make the most of the investment made and the spectacle it'll be?
Jan 13th 2010 | 1:31 pm
#72
slanderer of the innocent
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 6,695
From: Vancouver, BC
Re: Vancouver Winter Olympics
Logistically, it's a once in a lifetime (minor) inconvenience. I don't understand why it's not being embraced for the opportunities it offers, rather than seen as a PITA.
It's a privilege to host an Olympic games, so why not make the most of the investment made and the spectacle it'll be?
It's a privilege to host an Olympic games, so why not make the most of the investment made and the spectacle it'll be?
Easy to say when you live in Kamloops
As to your second question, because most of us are working and having to deal with the PITA while trying to get to work, not swanning around Whistler.
Jan 13th 2010 | 1:57 pm
#73
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 3,054
Re: Vancouver Winter Olympics
Some of the posts in this forum have really made me smile.
I like the Olympian-Homeless Buddy idea very much. Perhaps, if the idea of buddying athletes with homeless people from the DTES is too challenging/scary for VANOC, they could team some of the athletes up with the 200 or so homeless people that were evicted from Whistler to Squamish last week for the duration of the games 'for security reasons'?
I do not mean to be a killjoy but for us the Olympics has been a bit of a pain so far. We've had less access to sport facilities we use this year due to Olympic personnel training. Now that the event is almost here, it looks like it will simply mean a whole bunch of parking/stopping restrictions. From the information being given out, we think that we should avoid downtown because it will be mobbed by visitors. My husband works on the edge of a security zone and he has a boat moored inside another security zone. He is worried about his commute and worried that he might not be allowed down to work on the boat during February/March.
So far, I am not sure I have seen much evidence that there is much in this event for local residents. In fact, many of the people that I know have decided to give Vancouver a very wide berth during the games (staying/working from home or have booked holidays elsewhere). A tutor that I know has told me that their work has been cancelled during the Games because their main place of employment is inside a security zone. Others are being told to adjust their work hours to accommodate the Games.
I just get the impression that people are steeling themselves for the arrival of the Games, rather than looking forwards to it?
I like the Olympian-Homeless Buddy idea very much. Perhaps, if the idea of buddying athletes with homeless people from the DTES is too challenging/scary for VANOC, they could team some of the athletes up with the 200 or so homeless people that were evicted from Whistler to Squamish last week for the duration of the games 'for security reasons'?
I do not mean to be a killjoy but for us the Olympics has been a bit of a pain so far. We've had less access to sport facilities we use this year due to Olympic personnel training. Now that the event is almost here, it looks like it will simply mean a whole bunch of parking/stopping restrictions. From the information being given out, we think that we should avoid downtown because it will be mobbed by visitors. My husband works on the edge of a security zone and he has a boat moored inside another security zone. He is worried about his commute and worried that he might not be allowed down to work on the boat during February/March.
So far, I am not sure I have seen much evidence that there is much in this event for local residents. In fact, many of the people that I know have decided to give Vancouver a very wide berth during the games (staying/working from home or have booked holidays elsewhere). A tutor that I know has told me that their work has been cancelled during the Games because their main place of employment is inside a security zone. Others are being told to adjust their work hours to accommodate the Games.
I just get the impression that people are steeling themselves for the arrival of the Games, rather than looking forwards to it?
Jan 13th 2010 | 2:00 pm
#74
Thread Starter
.
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 20,188
Re: Vancouver Winter Olympics
Does anyone know whether drinking will be allowed where the big screens are going to be. I only ask to see if its worth bothering to bring a small hip flask for the cold evening events?
Jan 13th 2010 | 2:35 pm
#75
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 14,227
Re: Vancouver Winter Olympics
It doesn't help that it's not exactly a winter wonderland out there. Even if they have enough snow stock-piled, unless they get more it's not going to be good PR for Vancouver. Cypress will just look like a mound of mud with a thin white stripe on it - hardly the best of images for a winter sports location.
