2007 News

COC Impressed during Latest Visit

Olympic officials applaud RMOW’s strategic vision for 2010 Games

Published Date: 2007-02-20


By Clare Ogilvie

When David Bedford was trapped in Whistler by the rockslide recently, then delayed again the next day by a serious traffic accident, his first thought was, what if this was 2010 and the Winter Olympic events were at risk.

So Bedford, executive director, marketing and communications, for the Canadian Olympic Committee, turned to his Vancouver Organizing Committee travelling companions and said what was on his mind.

Turns out, said Bedford, the Vancouver Organizing Committee for the 2010 Games has run a series of scenarios which include road closures and delays.

“Frankly that’s further ahead than I thought they would be,” he said, adding that few other details were available.

Indeed that seems to be the general message the COC got across the board last week when they completed a regularly scheduled site visit to all the venues in Vancouver and Whistler for the 2010 Games.

Even sponsors, said Bedford, are excited about how well planning is going for 2010.

“We are hearing nothing but rave reviews from other countries and in my role in the marketing world, the sponsors, especially the international sponsors,” said Bedford.

“The 12 companies that sponsor the Games in every country around the world are coming and saying, ‘Oh my God, you guys are already, for 2010, ahead of where Beijing is and they are only a year and a half away.’”

Bedford said the COC was pleased with the state of the venues to date. Where changes were suggested it was more about the needs of the athletes as compared to changing the construction parameters.

“The skeleton racers and luge racers will bring their sleds back at night (to the athletes’ village) and work on runners and everything else so you have to create space for them to do that beyond their bedrooms,” said Bedford.

“They are not going to sit on beds doing that. So it is really more about putting the sport perspective needs (into the plan) versus can you move this wall here.”

The village plan also received praise from Caroline Assalian, executive director, Olympic preparation and Games, for the COC.

“The village has a magical setting,” said Assalian, who has attended 10 Olympics for the COC.

“The location is spectacular. It is so important because it is the athletes’ home away from home. That is why everyone is paying particular attention to the villages, because it is where they come and decompress. That is where they spend most of their time.

“What is really impressive is (VANOC’s) willingness to go above and beyond what the norm is.”

The COC was also impressed with the municipality’s 85-page strategic vision for the Games.

Said Assalian: “What is really impressive is (the RMOW’s) vision for the Games and for the residents and community and athletes. That is impressive (along with) how far in advance they have a vision. I think they have a very solid plan and (the) path to achieve that vision, it is remarkable.”

Bedford concurred. “I really think they are creating something that is going to last a long time for this community,” he said.

The power of that legacy cannot be overlooked, said Bedford, recalling Calgary’s experience hosting the 1988 Winter Games.

“Calgary is still without question the most Olympic City in Canada,” he said.

“It had such a huge group of volunteers and it felt such a glow that it still resonates.… When it is done right and that magic is captured that is the lasting legacy. The community just basks in that glow for a long time.”

Having the venues finished well ahead of the 2010 Games is key to Canada’s success said Bedford.

Using a hockey analogy he pointed out that having Canadian teams and athletes practice on the venues is not unfair, as the parameters for venues are the same worldwide, it simply creates familiarity.

“Let’s say it is the Vancouver Canucks and they play at GM Place,” he said. “They practice there so they know how the puck bounces off the boards and off the glass. They know the spots on the ice where it might be a little faster and that’s the advantage of that being (the Canucks’) place.

“These are our venues here. We want our athletes to have the chance to understand the nuance of them by training on them as home athletes and we want the fans screaming their guts out for our athletes so they feel that home field advantage when that happens.”

Bedford said the COC is looking ahead to the 2010 Games with success in mind.

During last week’s venues visit the COC did clarify its position on medal standings at the 2010 Games, saying it was not about the number of medals but about coming first. Previously the COC had targeted 35 medals in 2010.

The number of medals it takes to come first, said Bedford, “is a moving target so whatever it takes to finish first that is our goal.

“We are not backing off what our goal is.”