OK readers, I rant about once a year. Generally not one to get involved in political commentary I suppose now is as good time as any. Is writing about our 2010 Olympics political? If so, permit me this moment of weakness. Yes, I'm one of those, the ones who get annoyed by the event, expensive and over-orchestrated. Examples:
1. Tickets. I have a wide network of local people and only one was able to secure tickets to any event. People I know from out-of-town, booking pricey packages, were luckier. The rationale I've heard is that they were more likely to get tickets because tourists bring in money for accommodation, food and souvenirs. BTW, tickets to the opening ceremonies were originally listed at $175, $550, $750 and $1100 and most went to people of political influence or those booking high priced packages. Remaining tickets are available on the official website by auction only. Read: higher than the listed prices. Same with pairs figure skating: $150, $275 and $450. These are not events for your average citizen.
2. Parking/road closures. I know of someone, who lives at the base of Cypress Mountain, home to the snowboarding event. She found a ticket. Trouble is, she can't drive to the event due to road closures. In this case, she needs to book a Vanoc bus. Closest bus stop, about a mile and a half from her house – full. Next closest, four miles, full. She has to drive nine miles to park her car, catch the bus, ride past her house up the mountain, and walk a mile to see the event. And she has mobility issues.
3. Formalities: Six hundred City of Vancouver employees have been given a protocol guide so they can learn the basics of Olympic etiquette such as:
It is important to wear clothing that fits properly. Never dress in clothes that are too tight, they may make a slim person look gaunt and a large person look heavier. Make sure all attire is clean and pressed. Dress shirts may stain easily. Some protocol personnel carry extra shirts with them. Avoid wearing short socks. If they are too short, they may show bare leg when you sit down. Wear knee-high socks or stockings that reach above the calf. Socks should match pant colour. Accessories such as jewelry should be conservative. Hair should be kept tidy yet stylish.
4. What's in a name? Vancouver was home to a number of businesses with the word Olympic in their name and the familiar rings on their signage. Was is the key word here. Vanoc claimed ownership of the word and the rings. One little long time family owned pizzeria, Olympia Pizza, took on the Vanoc goliath and won. They were able to their 20+ year old signage, but any business taking on the Olympic name or trademark after 1998, were legally pressured to give theirs up.
5. The carbon footprint – No snow at Cypress Mountain? Let's use trucks and helicopters to bring some in. What the heck, it's for a good cause. But wait, the snow might be stained from the exhaust fumes.
6. Security – Did I hear this right? I did. It woke me from my half sleep listening to the news tonight. The bill for security is 900 million dollars. That leaves me almost speechless. I'm dreaming. What world problems might be solved with $900 million?
7. One more and I'll give it up. The Torch Relay – 106 Days, 12,000 torch bearers, 45,000 kilometers, $24.5 million, priceless. Oh, was that a Mastercard commercial? At the Olympics you're only allowed to use Visa.
It shouldn't be this difficult. I thought the Olympics were about sports and excellence. And as a community social service worker I have not gotten into the price tag and its effect on people, programs and services.
I want to go back to Palm Springs, where I can be oblivious to politics. Flights are cheaper than Olympic tickets.
Life's a Stitch 
13 responses to “A rant: Over-orchestrated Olympics”
I didn’t care for the Olly before, and now I’m angry!
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Rant on! Hubby and I had dreams of going – they will never be this close to us again. But when it looked as if we’d have to take out a second mortgage on our house, we pretty much scotched the idea. I remember the Olympics from my childhood when they were for amateur athletes only. They’ve become overblown and ridiculous. But will I still be glued to my TV the whole time – probably! :p
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Husband and I are going to Hawaii. I would love to catch the Olympic fever, but all our taxpayer money is going into the pockets of multinationals who are exploiting the young athletes. I left Calgary just before theirs. We tried to get my skating daughter tickets, but no luck. She is drumming at the Whistler Village. I support the cultural Olympics.
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I can only imagine!
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I love watching the Olympics. That being said I think I’d feel just the same if they were anywhere near my home. And the ticket price thing is completely ridiculous. The whole event originated around the concept of every-day people doing extraordinary athletic feats. And then there came a point where every-day people couldn’t afford to watch these feats in person. I think that’s sad. I think it says somethings about the value of money placed higher than the value of accomplishments in this country. Oh, and item #3. That is just ridiculous.
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It is sad that commercialism ruins what is supposed to be pure and simple.
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Thanks for enlightening me!
I’ll meet you in Palm Springs; just let me know when.
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I’m sorry you’re having such a bad experience. We have tickets to the opening and closing ceremonies as well as several events in Vancouver and Whistler. (And no, we aren’t rich. We decided, as a family, to put our money towards embracing the olympics instead of a family vacation away this year). All our tickets were purchased at cost. We traded and sold amongst our circle of friends and btw, no one we know is ‘connected’ in any way. Yes the driving and parking is inconvenient but that is just what it is… inconvenient. We have all learned to take the bus although I do sympathize with those with mobility problems even with those wonderful wheelchair accessible busses. I’m not sure what solution you would present to the Olympic committee re the lack of snow on the local mountains. Perhaps we should just embarrass ourselves in front of the world. Formalities… the world will be watching – some people need a little guidance. The money required to host the Olympics is a lot! It might pay off for Vancouver as did Expo 86. Only the future will reveal that. In the meantime Vancouver/Whistler will be hosting the Olympics and I hope that in our little way we can contribute to making these games the best they can possibly be. Oh and we’ll be in Edgemont Village cheering on the torch because sometimes I wish we lived in a commercial. I’ll be the one sporting a Canadian flag and with tears in her eyes.
Enjoy Palm Springs.
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Hi Li: I thought for sure you would be one of the folks carrying the torch. I am not even surprised at the cost of security for the Olympic Venue. That is what it takes to prevent a tragedy that could cost countless lives and billions of dollars. I will be watching it on my HD big screen TV. It is easier and cheaper. By the way I saw that on TV that they were trucking in snow to Whistler Mountain because of the warm spell there. If you feel strongly about what your wrote, why don’t you send it in to the Vancouver Newspaper.
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Well, at least Vancouver, being a Canadian city, won’t be subject to the sneers and jeers that Atlanta got. I remember one magazine calling it the “bubba” games. Because, you know, if you’re an American and form the South, you’re a stupid redneck to anyone from Europe of the Northeast.
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I hear what you’re saying. If I remember correctly, studies have shown that cities rarely manage to reap the financial windfall that Olympics-boosters advertise.
Mind you, I’ll be watching the games; however, I feel the same way that I do during the World Series.. the regular fans can’t afford the the prohibitively expensive ticket prices to those games.
And one more thing – when these big deal events come to NYC (Republican National Convention, for example,) I get the heck out of town til they’re over.
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Although I don’t agree with everything that was done with the olympics – I never do agree with everything ; ) But, I had sooo much fun with it. The whole city had it’s party dress on. When we won the hockey, I’d never seen the city so happy. Strangers gave me hugs.
I do agree with the olympics and I don’t agree with the “Not in my back yard” slogan. I am so proud of Vancouver and I’m glad to show the world about it and I’m happy to have been reminded of it.
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