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Archive for the ‘2010 Vancouver Olympics’ Category
Vancouver 2010 Olympics – Now Checked Off The ToDo List
Author: Robert Sanzalone1 Mar
Lots has been said and will be said about the 21st Winter Olympics in Vancouver, Canada. As a Vancouver native, I’m pleased.
Returning to Canada only a few short months ago, I didn’t really prepare much to “participate” in the festivities. After chatting with friends and relatives who live the city, neither did they. Most non participating Vancouverites simply shrugged off the games as “a party for the rich” due to the perceived exorbitant event prices and complained how the city would be “a mad house” during the games. Many LEFT the city to NOT participate.
Was it such “a mess”? I have to say, it really wasn’t. Public transportation was at high capacity but seemed to easily transport people to the venues and events… as well as get regular commuters to their jobs and homes. Most of the conversations I heard around me included “Where are you from?” and “YOUR team did really well yesterday in that event!”. Hardly a belligerent mess.
Downtown was a congested “theme park”, but not unexpectedly. Criticisms about the Olympic cauldron being “behind the wired fence” were true but were offset if you wanted to wait an hour in line to the unobstructed ledge right next to it. Hardly oppressive.
While VANOC (the Vancouver Olympic Committee) made it very clear ANYONE unauthorized displaying the Olympic sign on their business or home in a flattering or unflattering way during the games would somehow be storm troopered to jail in the middle of the night, no major incidents occurred as far as I’m aware. In fact, I admit to seeing more than a few amateur and semi-professional “Olympic” decorations and “statements” throughout the city since Christmas which seemed to be left untouched throughout the games. Thank goodness.
Finally, I also have to admit thoughts of Black September and the Atlanta Centennial Olympic Park bombing did scare me a bit – especially in view of Vancouver’s “laid back” reputation. Fortunately security was a foremost part of the Olympic budget and other than some minor odd incidents, nothing horrendous happened.
Vancouver put high expectations on itself with the Olympics and I think it essentially achieved what it intended – regardless of being a “rich people’s party”. Let’s hope it continues responsibly into the future and not become too obnoxious and complacent – something it is VERY susceptible to being.
If it does, I’ll be pleased.
Almost Great Evening at Richmond Olympic Torch Celebrations
Author: Robert Sanzalone11 Feb
Even though I’m in the eye of the storm for the Olympics, last night was the first time I truly participated in ANYTHING to do with these events. I chose to participate in the 2010 Olympic Torch Community Celebration in Richmond, Canada.
These festivities, and the remainder to be held during the games, are in Minoru Park, the centre of the municipality. The area has been designated the O Zone, complete with venue facilities and a grand main stage.
Entry into the park was relatively easy and orderly. Admission was free and security felt much more like entering a night club or concert than it did looking for nasties wanting to do something heavier than sneaking a can of beer into the grounds.
Once in, you were immediately hit with the objective of the grounds… one big red maple leaf self-hug. Though the demographics of Richmond are mostly Asian, the majority of the participants were not. It truly was a mixed crowd of both locals and international well wishers wanting to take part in the party to bring in the torch.
Other than a faux pas of calling the venue “Surrey” by the host at one point (to boos in the crowd) and an instrument malfunction for the Delhi 2 Dublin band (which cost 10 minutes of uncomfortable stage silence for the 15,000+ crowd), the evening was fun, fast paced and lively. I truly enjoyed myself, even after getting “bonked” on the head by a rogue Coca-cola crowd beach ball.
The climax of the evening was suppose to be Rick Hansen ride up the stage and lighting the Olympic cauldron. Though it was a wonderful moment, the real fun came in the exit to follow – an absolute disaster. Imagine 15,000 people with children or elderly parents elbowing each other to squeeze through 4 double door exits at the same time. I never felt ANYTHING so chaotic and uncomfortable, even on a Tokyo train in a morning rush hour (which I have experienced many times). Where was the crowd control? Where were the police? The RCMP? I was amazed to see far, far fewer of them than I did when the event started. One middle-aged woman was in tears and obvious discomfort as she sat on the curb outside the door immediately after the squeeze out – her partner comforting her as best he could.
If the exits continue through the Olympics as they did last night, I would suggest to stay away from the O zone if you have smaller children or elderly members of the family. Or at least come and go at the non-peak time to avoid any issues.
To the O zone Richmond organizers – thanks very much for the free party. You did do a great job and I did enjoy myself up to the end. Just clean up that last bit of organizing to avoid any further more serious problems. Please.
Other shots in the area:
Pre Olympic Vancouver
Author: Robert Sanzalone8 Feb
As a resident and native of Vancouver Canada, I have a handful of memories which are distinctive to my connection to the city. The Vancouver Whitecaps winning the 1979 NASL Soccer Bowl Championship, Expo 86 and now the 2010 Winter Olympics. Having been out of the country for the past three years, I haven’t had much of a connection with the games any more than any other non-sporting resident of Japan. Yet, as I walked through downtown today, I too felt the excitement and pride felt by the hundreds of volunteers and employees who have worked hard to put together the safest and most enjoyable event worthy of global attendance and attention.
Here are a few of my photographs today as I casually walked through the streets.
The motto for these games is “You Gotta Be Here.” Today I certainly was grateful I was.
Lifestream
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Taking it easy tonight watching blockbuster feature movies... on my iPhone. [pacificIT]
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Checked in at London Drugs
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I'm at New Westminster Public Library (716 6th Avenue, New Westminster). http://4sq.com/c3Uu7S [pacificIT]
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Checked in at New Westminster Public Library
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Checked in at SUCCESS
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I'm at Royal City Centre (610 Sixth Street, at 6 Avenue, New Westminster). http://4sq.com/cooapW [pacificIT]
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Checked in at Royal City Centre
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Good morning from New Westminster, Canada. Cloudy with the possibility of some rain. ☂ 10/7℃. [pacificIT]
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[Link] Whrrl - Are You In? Check In to Join Societies. http://whrrl.com/ [pacificIT]
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Checked in at Champlain Vision Care Optometry Clinic
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.llew gnileef ton llitS [pacificIT]
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I'm at New Westminster Public Library (716 6th Avenue, New Westminster). http://4sq.com/c3Uu7S [pacificIT]
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Checked in at New Westminster Public Library
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Checked in at SUCCESS
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Checked in at Blenz Coffee
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Checked in at Royal City Centre
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Good morning from New Westminster, Canada. Rain. ☂ 9/6℃. [pacificIT]
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Shared Cloudcamp Vancouver (Matte).
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[New Post] Should You LIVESHOUT Events Using Foursquare? http://bit.ly/cOm3iP [pacificIT]
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Phonebooth.com free looked promising but has a lot of issues. Can call it from my cell but not VoIP line. I'll hold on to my K7.net line. [pacificIT]
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Thanks @Joanmarie. Yes, absolutely part of the treatment! [pacificIT]
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Big bowl of noodles did fix the throat... need to work on the headache now. [pacificIT]
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Happy White Day Sweetie! Wikipedia: http://bit.ly/ajWObx [pacificIT]
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Good afternoon from Vancouver, Canada. Cloudy. ☂ 10/7℃. [pacificIT]
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What's special today? Clocks have "sprung forward", it's "White Day" and I've got a a sore throat and head cold :( [pacificIT]
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Thoughts about cloud computing URL: http://bit.ly/cgnFiC ___ Sent via VR+ [pacificIT]
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Shopping and waiting for Sweetie. (@ Walmart) http://4sq.com/4J1NeK [pacificIT]
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Checked in at Walmart
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Shopping. (@ XS Cargo-'(Grandview Highway)) http://4sq.com/9U13Nd [pacificIT]
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Checked in at XS Cargo-'(Grandview Highway)
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My next complaint: Can't see what the sessions are because we can't access the room with the main list. #Cloudcamp #Vancouver [pacificIT]
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Wondering: Should Foursquare be used to "Live Shout" a conference? [pacificIT]
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Robert SanzaloneInternational educator, writer, broadcaster, marketer and business owner.
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