Sorry, Bruce DeVenne, but your comment is not borne out by the stats.
Before the Calgary Winter Olympics in 1988, Alberta had an average growth of annual international visitors of 0.25 percent (1972 - 1985). In pre-Olympic years the number of visitors grew by 5 percent in 1985 and 8 percent in 1986. In the Olympic year, growth surged to 12 percent and then retained all of its post Olympic gains, with an average annual growth of 3.25 percent for the first five post-Olympic years. This compared with an average annual loss of 2.5 percent for the rest of Canada, excluding British Columbia. Vancouver and Whistler in particular and British Columbia in general will have their profiles raised throughout the world, strengthening tourism. From:
http://vancouver.ca/ctyclerk/cclerk/020326/csb2appc.pdf

In actual fact studies in Europe have shown that big events like the Olympics has just the opposite effect on the tourist that travels regularly. They avoid the host city for a few years before because of disruption due to construction and during because of price gouging and disruption of the games in some cases it stays flat for up to 3 years afterwards
Bruce
< replied-to message removed by QT >

i am getting so fed up of hearing all this crap about how the Olympic Games are going to attract tourists. It is a very bad Business Manager who spends $6 Billion on Tourism. Really, give me a break!

Edited by author 10-19-2009 05:47 PM
 Not a big fan of the protesters and there threatening to disrupt the torch. Fools the Olympic games means much more to the world as a whole then one city's debt from hosting it. So what if were spending tons of cash on much needed road upgrades and infrastructure thats needed funding for decades. The upgrades to the sporting facility's around town are going to be great if you have kids that are into sports. Taxpayers as a whole do plenty for the social programs and low income housing, at least with the Olympic's i'll be able to see some results and progress. So quit oppressing the honest tax payers that want the Olympics. There's plenty of dough for all of us.

P.s - How awesome would Olympic Hockey gold on home ice be? Once and a lifetime chance to see the games up close i'll enjoy every minute of it.
Maybe it will inspire the next generation, or blow up in all our faces. Who knows ill take my one chance to see em here.

DO NOT FRET OR BE ANXIOUS ALL COMMUNICATIONS ON THIS FEED ARE MONITERED AND IP'S SUPPLIED TO THE AUTHORITIES BY YOUR FRIENDLY SERVICE PROVIDER.

PLEASE HEED THIS ADVICE: IF YOU ARE WILLING TO BE DETAINED AND VERBALY, ELECTRONICALLY OR PHYSICALLY MISTREATED DO NOT PROTEST IN ANY FORM OUTSIDE THE DESIGNATED AREAS. THE LOCAL POLICE FORCES AND THE RCMP ARE IN EFFECT MILITARY THROUGHOUT THIS TIME PREIOD AND THEN AFTER.

THE OLYMPIC SECURITY SCAM AND NATIONAL SECURITY PROPAGANDA IS MUCH MORE THAN FOR A SPORTS EVENT AND I AM SURE THAT MOST OF YOU ARE AWARE OF THE EVENTS UPON US. THE FORCAST CALLS FOR PAIN---BY DESIGN OF COURSE

2010 Olympic Prevarications!


Vexing over Olympic cost overruns and political lies, deception and manipulation by the B.C. Government plus cover-ups in the political system to push the elite interests of corporations and Olympic economic of interests.

To be perfectly ‘’honest’’ wait until party is over. Its will leave a legacy of debt loads, human misery by lack of funding for much needed social programs, health care and education not to mention a major erosion of environmental policies.

Curtailing free of speech and interference with peaceful protest. These security measures including security zones are violations of the ‘’People’s Charter of Rights’’.A police state is definitely happening in Vancouver, B.C. The civil liberties of Canadians are being eroded.

Just a friendly reminder of last spring 2009 election that the B.C. Government and official oppositions agreed before campaigning that they would not debate any related 2010 Olympic issues. This is not how a democracy works.

Vancouver and Whistler area could possibly be dealing with ‘’Flu- Pandemic’’ visitors from around the world would be spread man-made human infections.

Power of the mind your thoughts or prayer-whatever works for you? Yes ‘’Mass Consciousness’’ of the mind could change weather patterns to mildly warm conditions in southern B.C. rain, fog and windstorms could occur. Instead of complaining about 2010 Olympic Games we should direct our anger and frustration by focusing our intent on ‘’Mass Consciousness’’ for unfavorable weather conditions.

2010 Winter Olympic Games Legacy of debt occurring burden to working tax payers!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y5NOSaZDPDo&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SjxD9cVMUoU
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RqpOlbPuV0k

There have been a few postings recently about special laws that will be in effect during the Olympics to prevent protesting.

For example, the olympic thought police will be able to enter your house to take down any signs you might display in your window, without obtaining a court order. I guess they're claiming they can just kick your door down and take your sign away.

WELL BULL SHIT THEY CAN.

I think what they're doing is just SAYING that they will do these things, knowing full well that they actually wouldn't dare because they'd be breaking the law. By saying they've changed the law, they're hoping that most sheeple will be too afraid to try anything.

I suggest that people familiarize themselves with the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms. http://www.efc.ca/pages/law/charter/charter.text.html

These are your rights. A sporting event is not a reason to suspend your charter rights.

"get a life" is that like "get a job" ?

Kerries Dale - there is no point to a protest that does not have some element of disruption to it.

Chris Shaw and Garth Mullins do not and have never pretended to speak on behalf of the majority of citizen - that's why we elected Gregor Robertson.

Messrs Shaw and Mullin's do however speak for a lot of people in Vancouver - an ever growing number in fact

Good grief, people (and especially Chris Shaw)get a life. The Olympics will
be a good thing, and if you don't like them being here, move out for a few weeks. The protestors need to get a life. You can protest,but be polite about it, and do not disrupt the games as those yahoos did with the Countdown Clock event. Why do you think the security is going around asking questions? If you behave and protest with respect to others, you would not be questioned.

Another thing, about that picture of that guy yelling at Eagle Ridge. He was told like others to move out since there was a court order. He refused
and didn't let go while being cuffed.

and since when does Chris Shaw and the other protestors such as Garth Mullins represent the majority of citizens in Vancouver? They don't.

Things will get back to normal Vancouver when it's over. Security expected at an International level/standard is a temporary pill to swallow to ensure that Vancouver's done everything it can to ensure the safety and security of its international guests as is expected. London will be bound to do the same. The influx of visitor dollars into Vancouver and area during and for years to come post games is yet to be determined; but as Calgary discovered, Vancouver will become a destination for decades to come, so the debt will be difficult to put a finger on, plus-minus, long term. The legacy of your facilities for your citizens, both young and old, will be substantial. Please read this before you decide on the half-empty rather than half-full position.
http://www.vancouver2010.com/en/about-vano...8/qy26fo/index.html

When the afterglow is replaced by the debt and you realize what the city gave up on it's people in the line of freedoms you will feel the negativivity
BD
< replied-to message removed by QT >

The Vancouver Games will be great. Vancouver's done an amazing job getting ready for it all, and they've just unveiled the clothing, (pox on the naysayers) and it's amazing too. The Calgary games lifted the city in a way that I've never seen before, and the legacy still lives here; so sorry I have no negativity to lend to the general tone of this board; but I suggest you do try to enjoy this once in a lifetime gathering instead, because it is absolutely incredible while it happens.

rELIGIOUS ORGANIZATIONS are 'sanctioned' by VANOC to be volunteers at 2010 games.
ran into guy on airplane from some Christian group call 'something...GOLD'
GIVING OUT WATER AND HANDING OUT 'PAMPHLETS'..SAYS TO ME vanoc REQUESTED THEM.
yOUR TAX DOLLARS ARE FUNDING rELIGIOUS propogandizing..it's true
rl09@mail.com

2010 Olympic Prevarications!


Vexing over Olympic cost overruns and political lies, deception and manipulation by the B.C. Government plus cover-ups in the political system to push the elite interests of corporations and Olympic economic of interests.

To be perfectly ‘’honest’’ wait until party is over. Its will leave a legacy of debt loads, human misery by lack of funding for much needed social programs, health care and education not to mention a major erosion of environmental policies.

Curtailing free of speech and interference with peaceful protest. These security measures including security zones are violations of the ‘’People’s Charter of Rights’’.A police state is definitely happening in Vancouver, B.C. The civil liberties of Canadians are being eroded.

Just a friendly reminder of last spring 2009 election that the B.C. Government and official oppositions agreed before campaigning that they would not debate any related 2010 Olympic issues. This is not how a democracy works.

Vancouver and Whistler area could possibly be dealing with ‘’Flu- Pandemic’’ visitors from around the world would be spread man-made human infections.

Power of the mind your thoughts or prayer-whatever works for you? Yes ‘’Mass Consciousness’’ of the mind could change weather patterns to mildly warm conditions in southern B.C. rain, fog and windstorms could occur. Instead of complaining about 2010 Olympic Games we should direct our anger and frustration by focusing our intent on ‘’Mass Consciousness’’ for unfavorable weather conditions.

2010 Winter Olympic Games Legacy of debt occurring burden to working tax payers!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y5NOSaZDPDo&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SjxD9cVMUoU
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RqpOlbPuV0k

The only way they will show a profit is if they keep a "funny" set of books like Calgary did.
Bruce D
< replied-to message removed by QT >

IOC grip on cities grows tighter every time
 From no-fly zones to free-speech areas, Olympic officials want to control what the world can see


 By Daphne Bramham, Vancouver SunAugust 15, 2009
  When Juan Antonio Samaranch was president of the International Olympic Committee, he demanded that those in the "movement" refer to him as Your Excellency.

Yet pretensions of grandeur aside, even under his watch the IOC never described itself as the "supreme authority" on all things Olympic, as it did under Jacques Rogge in Vancouver's host city agreement.

And while Rogge rejected the "His Excellency" honorific, he also spelled out in the host-city contract what creature comforts he requires come Games time.

To be precise, Rogge gets three multiple-screen video walls all hooked up to the international television signals of the Games. One will be in his room at the Westin Bayshore Hotel and two others in the IOC offices at the hotel, which has been totally booked for the Olympic Family.

It's only a small example of the growing demands the IOC puts on host cities. One is for more money. For the 2002 Winter Games in Salt Lake City, the IOC took 40 per cent of the broadcast revenue. This time, it's more than half.

If Vanoc pulls off a miracle and has a surplus, the IOC will take 20 per cent, twice the cut it demanded from Salt Lake City, which had a $50-million surplus. The IOC's share of marketing royalties from mascots and logo-wear has also risen, to 7.5 per cent from five.

At the same time, it has off-loaded costs.

One big-ticket item is the tab for all medical costs and anti-doping measures. For 2010, that's an estimated $13 million, a number that the B.C. auditor-general has repeatedly challenged as being too low. The auditor also challenged the $185 million security budget. It's now set at $1 billion. Unlike in 2002, host cities and organizing committees now pay all taxes, duties or indirect taxes "whether present or future" assessed to either the IOC or any third party owned or controlled by the IOC on revenue generated by the Games or to competitors as a reward for their performances.

(Perhaps it's because the province is on the hook for any Olympic cost overruns that Premier Gordon Campbell's unpopular harmonized sales tax won't be put in place until after the Games.) But the biggest burden the IOC puts on cities is ever-increasing demands to protect sponsorship and marketing rights, demands that bump up against citizens' rights and freedoms.

Like Vancouver, Salt Lake City agreed that there would be no advertising or propaganda outside the venues within view of television cameras or spectators watching the events. But that was the end of it. No other Utahans and Americans faced widespread restrictions on protest signs, pamphlets, leaflets and posters.

Eight years later, Vancouver's contract widened the "clean zone" beyond venues to "major access points leading to Olympic venues" and the torch relay route. Those are the so-called halo areas in Vancouver's omnibus bylaw, a bylaw that the contract also required. That's another addition and so is the required no-fly zone.

The Vancouver contract says that "no propaganda or advertising is allowed in the airspace over the city and other cities and venues hosting Olympic events during the period of the Games."

(There was a no-fly zone over the Utah capital in 2002, but only because five months earlier, New York's twin towers had been toppled by a terrorist attack. It's also noteworthy that Salt Lake City's total security budget was $310 million US. That's nearly double Vancouver's original security estimate, but only a third of the current budget.)

With the new, larger area for top-tier sponsors' exclusive advertising use, the IOC passed on all costs associated with preventing, policing and prosecuting ambush advertisers, propagandists and marketers infringing on Olympic trademarks, including mascots.

As detailed as the host city contracts are in some areas, there's no mention of "free-speech zones," "demonstration zones" or "protest zones," as they were called in Beijing.

Yet, the fenced enclosures for permit-paid protesters are Olympic hallmarks and remarkably similar from one city to the next.

Full details of Vancouver's have yet to be released, but the zones are promised to be in high-profile locations. They were in Salt Lake City as well, albeit with a total capacity of 170 people. Unlike in Beijing, plenty of demonstrators used the Salt Lake City enclosures. Only a few were arrested including an anti-abortion activist who broke the protest-zone rules and carried a placard that said "God Bless America."

Not that it headed off the feared riot. However, it wasn't incited by wild-eyed anti-anythings, but rather by a bunch of drunks after a beer garden closed early.

So what's in London's contract for 2012? It's impossible to know because London's freedom of information act doesn't require its release. Excellent.

dbramham@vancouversun.com

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