Vancouverites are too negative about the Olympics.

[BrokeBastard]

The 2010 Olympics will go down as the most UNWELCOMED Olympics of all-time. Only Vancouverites can be so DAMNED NEGATIVE and unfriendly! Read this article by a Sports Illustrated columnist.

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2010/writers/dave_zirin/01/25/vancouver/

We are still the best city in the world!

 

[sonoman]

Can you blame us?

This disillusion is developing as the financial burden of the Games becomes public. The original cost estimate was $660 million in public money. It's now at an admitted $6 billion and steadily climbing. In addition, the Olympic Village came in $100 million over budget and had to be bailed out by the city.

[T]he final cost will exceed $1 billion. These budget overruns are coinciding with drastic cuts to city services.

The Bid Committee promised that not a single person would be displaced due to the Games, but there are now 3,000 homeless people sleeping on Vancouver's streets and these people are facing increased police harassment as they try to clean the streets in the lead up to the Games.

 

[Jodie]

Sad.

At this point, the Olympics are coming, and they're coming quickly, whether we like it or not. The fact is that a majority of Vancouverites voted "yes" in the 2003 plebiscite. Yes, there were huge cost overruns and things haven't exactly panned out as originally promised, but one would have to be completely naive and ill-attuned to economic and political realities to expect anything different in the planning and evolution of such a large scale global event. It's time to put on our big-girl and big-boy panties and make the best of the situation, regardless of how we feel. Throwing public temper tantrums is not going to reduce Olympic expenses, and it certainly isn't going to make the two weeks any more bearable. I, for one, plan to get out there and enjoy all the free parties, exhibits and shows. This is a once in a lifetime opportunity for two weeks of 24/7 fun for the otherwise "No Fun City!"

 

[myselftheother]

Sad.

At this point, the Olympics are coming, and they're coming quickly, whether we like it or not. The fact is that a majority of Vancouverites voted "yes" in the 2003 plebiscite. Yes, there were huge cost overruns and things haven't exactly panned out as originally promised, but one would have to be completely naive and ill-attuned to economic and political realities to expect anything different in the planning and evolution of such a large scale global event. It's time to put on our big-girl and big-boy panties and make the best of the situation, regardless of how we feel. Throwing public temper tantrums is not going to reduce Olympic expenses, and it certainly isn't going to make the two weeks any more bearable. I, for one, plan to get out there and enjoy all the free parties, exhibits and shows. This is a once in a lifetime opportunity for two weeks of 24/7 fun for the otherwise "No Fun City!"

Yes, it is fantastic that we have the Olympics, and that it's really here in our city. But the fact is, public services are being cut, on civic and provicial levels, taxes are going up, and we've been told it was going to cost this amount of $$ when it actually costs $$$$$$. Everyone knew that it would run over budget, but by this much is insane. Not worth the cuts to services, not worth tix only going to those with connections, VANOC Bullshit, contracting out to foreign suppliers, etc.

Is it worth it? Really....for just 2 weeks? Us residents of this city are being inconvenienced more than just a few weeks, it's been months/years. And we're footing the bill. Ain't this fun?

 

[Oldfart]

Who will benefit from the Olympics? IOC fat cats and big corporations.

This is not like Expo 86 which was for the people.
We are being forced to host a party for the rich and famous -- at our expense.

 

[oh3421]

Who will benefit from the Olympics? IOC fat cats and big corporations.

This is not like Expo 86 which was for the people.
We are being forced to host a party for the rich and famous -- at our expense.

Ditto here. while the fatcats will enjoy their priviliged road access and 5 star accomodation, the rest of us will stand in line for two hours to get on the bus.

 

[porcelianprincess]

I am not unwelcoming of the olympics but I sure am sick of hearing about the stupid torch relay and listening to the torch relay song on ctv. I will be sooo glad when thats over. I think that all the pre-hype has ruined the "spirit" of the olympics for me

 

[josephl]

I heard someone some it up best the other day with "we have spent a lot of our tax payers money dressing up the town, we know have guests coming and the message to us native Vancouverites is ...get the hell out of town so you are not in the way"

I was originally for the Olympics however, after years of being lied to(RAV line changing to cut and cover), bailing out the Olympic village, having the most screwed up ticketing system ever, having the government have the right to buy tickets before anyone else, having provincial government employees get paid to "volunteer for the Olympics", and now, even though I pay an arm and a leg to live just outside of the downtown core, to have parking, driving and walking restictions in my neighbourhood and have most of the bike paths and sea wall blocked off for "security reasons"

Yup, I'm anti olympics

 

[CaraClementine]

It is what it is. A party fo people with connections.. and for the wealthy.

For those of us who are right inthe middle of it - it is a major inconvenience. Just what downtown Vancouver needs... MORE rude people (visiting)! LOL
If you enjoy crowds, and that sort of ambiance, and are not bothered by the fact that you may not have access to some of your favourite places... then you won't mind the inconvenience. Hell, if you are in the West End, you won't be as affected, as you would being in Coal Harbour, Yale Town, and the downtown core.

Far too much money has been spent on this event. At least some businesses will profit from it. I just hope Feb. passes by quickly!

 

[sonoman]

The fact is that a majority of Vancouverites voted "yes" in the 2003 plebiscite.

Yes, but who comprised that 'majority'?

 

[VIP Alexis]

Ditto here. while the fatcats will enjoy their priviliged road access and 5 star accomodation, the rest of us will stand in line for two hours to get on the bus.

lol well put. I think that its all a great big mess and the city is way behind on doing all that it should have done to make this a more positive experience for all.

 

[anonanon]

I support the Olympics, but not the way VANOC is going about doing it. My daily commute is murder now with the DT Vancouver road closures! Gah!

I'll be happier once it is over!

 

[vince_chase]

Expo 86 and Winter Olympics

Who will benefit from the Olympics? IOC fat cats and big corporations.

This is not like Expo 86 which was for the people.
We are being forced to host a party for the rich and famous -- at our expense.

as a long time vancouverite, i do recall vancouver as a city before EXPO86 and after. EXPO86 did also generate some controverse(remember Jim Pattison getting an egg on the face?), but, for better or for worse, that event has drastically changed this city - from a quiet nice small city to a tier one International destination. Whatever tax money was spent for the event has been paid back in spades in international investment and tourism.

I question this Olympic event from a financial point of view - after all,it is all about money, i do not believe it will bring the type of relative increase in financial reward as the Expo86 did. If Vancouver was like Turin/Italy(? spelling), it may be different. i for one did not know about Turin.but, who in the world doesn't know Vanouver at this point, especially savvy investors or travellers.

I support Olympic in BC- just not in Vancouver. Kelowna/Victoria would be a better choice, they need the exposure a lot more. I am just disappointed that so many people voted YES before without giving it more thought.

Personally, i enjoy watching Canucks playoff games or my son's hockey game a lot more then watching athletes that I have never heard of - i know some events maybe different, i am talking in general.

Anyways, my 2 cents.

 

[uncleg]

Sad.

At this point, the Olympics are coming, and they're coming quickly, whether we like it or not. The fact is that a majority of Vancouverites voted "yes" in the 2003 plebiscite. Yes, there were huge cost overruns and things haven't exactly panned out as originally promised, but one would have to be completely naive and ill-attuned to economic and political realities to expect anything different in the planning and evolution of such a large scale global event. It's time to put on our big-girl and big-boy panties and make the best of the situation, regardless of how we feel. Throwing public temper tantrums is not going to reduce Olympic expenses, and it certainly isn't going to make the two weeks any more bearable. I, for one, plan to get out there and enjoy all the free parties, exhibits and shows. This is a once in a lifetime opportunity for two weeks of 24/7 fun for the otherwise "No Fun City!"

The majority of Vancouverites may have voted yes. but what about the rest of the Province. I live in Burnaby, no vote there on the Games, but it will affect me big time, both doing business and day to day life, never mind the Bill to come. Don't get me wrong I'll make money on the Games, but it'll still be a big pain in the ass.( No, Hubba I'm not going to be a male hooker. ) As to the "free" events, really, somebody is paying to put them on, and since most are being put on by the City or The Province, that "free" event is coming out of your pocket.

 

[sonoman]

I support Olympic in BC- just not in Vancouver. Kelowna/Victoria would be a better choice, they need the exposure a lot more.

Good viewpoint.

 

[Stunes]

I loved Expo, it was a big party for 5 months, i really thing that was a benefit to the city/province. But i really have to say that with the olympics, we spend craploads for a 2 week showcase (okay, 4 weeks over 2 months if you include the paraolympics), but really, it really isnt' worth it. for a fraction of the price tag, say $2billion, use that to build say.....5000 suites across all the major cities across canada and use it as real low income housing, or maybe use another $1B to fund the operations of this. having said that, i have to support the olympics since it's here, but we should vote as a country to give up any chance of any olympic hosting until we get the 5000 beds across the country.

 

[Bootsy]

My sister lives in Vancouver, and works downtown, apparently all the roads will be shut down or something, so her office is shutting down for the 2 weeks. She's using that two weeks to get the hell out of Vancouver.

 

[lars_from_mars]

Not to sound fickle or negative, but here's my thoughts on everybody who's involved:

The athletes - Love these guys/gals and 100% support what they're doing.
IOC/VANOC/gub'ment - Hate those lying corrput shitbag bureaucrats.
Anti-olympic athletes - I understand and agree with some of the reasons why they oppose the olympics, but continued protests are petty, pointless, and makes Vancouver look dumb. I especially dislike how many of the anti-olympic ranks are filled with the same angsty, unemployed, antiestablishmentarians that keep turning up everywhere.
Vancouverites - I feel sorry for all us poor bastard taxpayers at the bottom of the food chain. Gotta pay for all this and put up with everybody else's crap. I just wanna watch a bit of hockey and not get stuck in epic clusterfuck olympic traffic jams.

 

[testudo]

My sister lives in Vancouver, and works downtown, apparently all the roads will be shut down or something, so her office is shutting down for the 2 weeks. She's using that two weeks to get the hell out of Vancouver.

It is just a joke basically and even there is no holidays during the two weeks for the schools..Yup I am anti-Olympic .

 

[Cock Throppled]

Is it true all the courts in Vancouver and hospital surgeries are cancelled for two months around the Olympics?

Who the fuck makes these decisions?