Today, residents of Vancouver will be voting as to whether they support the city's bid for the 2010 Winter Olympics. Being a plebiscite rather than a referendum, the results are not binding, but the talk is that the bid could be in serious trouble if less than 60% vote in favour. It certainly would cast some doubt in the minds of IOC members, and would likely give the edge to Salzburg, where no plebiscite is planned.

I'm afraid this could mean the end of Toronto's bid to host the summer olympics. Sigh.

Not necessarily...although the vote in Vancouver was 64% in favour, that is not an overwhelming majority, and my gut feeling is the IOC will pick Salzburg anyway, which would open the door for Toronto to bid for the 2012 Summer Games. The fact that it was considered necessary to even have a plebiscite in the first place has raised some concerns. I have nothing against Vancouver, but if Canada can get only one or the other, I'd prefer to see Toronto host the Summer Games, as the city has been snubbed too often in the past. Provided the benefits justify the costs, of course. However, T.O. will have some stiff competition from New York.

I would love Vancover to have the Winter Games in 2010--two of my favorite travel experiences have been when the Olympics were held in Canada: Montreal (summer) in '76 and then Calgary (winter) in '88. Just glorious!!! Even my partner, Kyle, who hates sports loved Calgary. Of course, Salzburg is pretty great, too.

~Adam

For reasons of proximity to Spokane, my vote is for Vancouver. I can't think of a better way to show off one of the most beautiful cities on the planet, than for Vancouver to hold the games!!

Marc, I'm with you all the way. I'd prefer Toronto, though I have nothing against Vancouver. And, as Puckman said, it is a beautiful.

If the competition is New York, I'd be upset. As a U. S. Citizen, I understand that New York's had a tough time with 9/11. I think they'd get a big sympathy vote - as well as votes because a city that large would/could have the venues. But that would mean Toronto was screwed twice: once because politics caused Beijing to get the 2008 Games (which I don't believe they deserve, but that means nothing), and again because of New York.

I'd really be bummed. I love Toronto. Always have. Can't help it.

The Globe did make an interesting comment about having the winter vs. the summer olympics in Canada. Canada is all about winter sports. It's what they do best. So to have the winter olympics in Canada, and have Canadians do well would be special. Makes a lot of sense. But my heart still wants TO.

But MDeker, Canada excels at the Summer Olympics too! Remember Ben Johnson's gold medal? (oops, maybe not such a good example )

Adam, I'm glad you and Kyle enjoyed your Olympics experience here. I have fond memories of it too. I never made it to the '76 Summer Games, even though at the time I was living just a two-hour drive from Montreal.

An IOC evaluation committee is in Vancouver this week to have a look at the facilities. Apparently one member expressed concern about the distance between Vancouver and Whistler, where the ski events will take place. The actual distance is only 120 km (similar to Calgary-Nakiska at the '88 Games), but the highway can be treacherous, so unless some upgrades are made, this may hurt the bid.

Big article in my sports section this morning about Vancouvers' chances of getting the 2010 Winter Olympics, and the news is very very good sounding for Vancouver. Word is they made an outstanding bid, have excellent facilities, and offer world class amenities. If so, I am quite positive I will try to find some way to attend an Olympic Hockey Game up there, as I don't know that there will be a closer city to Spokane to host just such an event. Good job Vancouver, my fingers and toes, are crossed for you. wink

I just did a bit of surfing at TSN.ca...

Wayne Gretzky carried a loonie with him into the final presentation.

Another article said:

Salzburg's been eliminated in the first round of voting. From the AP:

PRAGUE, Czech Republic - Vancouver and the South Korean city of Pyeongchang competed Wednesday for the right to host the 2010 Winter Olympics (news - web sites).

The third bid city, Salzburg, Austria, was eliminated in the first round of secret balloting by the International Olympic Committee (news - web sites).

With 113 eligible voters in the first round, Salzburg received the fewest number of votes and dropped out. The exact figures were not immediately disclosed.

[ July 02, 2003, 08:34 AM: Message edited by: Jerzoid ]

Breaking news: Vancouver wins! Or maybe not. The TSN.ca site says Vancouver won, but when you click on the link to the article the top half talks about how Vancouver won, but under it there's another article that says "In a surprise decision..." and mentions Pyeongchang winning. Maybe they had both articles ready just in case?

Edit:
Checked it again and the second half is gone. So, Vancouver wins!

[ July 02, 2003, 08:48 AM: Message edited by: Joe in Philly ]

Well, they may have just announced that Vancouver got the 2010 Olympics, but I don't think that this is a shocker to anyone. I still believe 2008 should have gone to Toronto, and they are doing the Winter Olympics as a consolation to Canada for not giving the country the big Summer Games. As a result, I hope Vancouver does a killer job, and gives us the BEST Winter Games ever! I also hope this gives the Vancouver economy a tremendous boost!

Well it will be tough to top SLC in 02, but if any city can do it, it would be Vancouver. I actually started to get tears in my eyes when the IOC president announced Vancouver. I am extrememly happy for the city and can't wait for the games.

Does look bad for NYC in 2012 though. I think those games will definitely go to Europe (Paris, London, Moscow, Madrid). I would put the early money on either London or Paris.

I gotta agree, this is definitely bad for NYC. If the IOC gave the 2012 games to NYC, it would mean back-to-back Olympiads in North America and 3 in a row outside of Europe. And I don't think that's going to happen. So it looks like a European summer Olympics in 2012.

But what about Leipzig? Is the IOC ready to go back to Germany? And Germany is hosting the World Cup in 2006. But the decision for 2012 will be made before that, in 2005.

Are any African or South American coutries in the process of trying to get the Summer 2012 Games?

Woo Hoo!!

Congrats to Vancouver and Whistler BC!!!

Kick, go to www.gamesbids.com. EVERYTHING you need to know about Olympic bids, up to the year
2020!

HOORAY!!!

I happened to watch the announcement live on television, and you could not imagine the nervousness and anxiety I had awaiting the result!

No one else was in the house, but I just couldn't help but applaud and cheer (and jump!) as Vancouver was announced! I'm not sure whether the Americans on the board can understand the pride and enthusiasm that all Canadians have right now, but it's a real warm, fuzzy feeling that the future is gonna be real bright!

I heard on CBC that after the first ballot, Pyeongchang was in the lead with 51 votes to Vancouver's 40. (Salzburg was eliminated with only 16 votes.) Luckily, Vancouver picked up most of the European votes, with the final results being Vancouver 56, Pyeongchang 53. (I don't understand why the numbers don't equal... maybe there were abstentions in the first round.)

It was fabulous seeing the support of Wayne Gretzky, Catriona LeMay Doan (prominent speed skater), B.C.'s Premier, Gordon Campbell, and Prime Minister Chretien (who had flown overnight after attending Canada Day festivities in Ottawa)in Prague!

It's a great moment for Canada! I simply HAD to share it with you all!

Yeah!!! Vancover is a beautiful city & though I'm sure they'll do a tremedous job, they'll have to go some to outdo the wonderful job Calgary did in '88. Those were magical games.....I'm already on the phone to a couple of places to book a room for the games.

~Adam

I am already starting to pack my bags for Vancouver in 2010, for some Olympic Hockey!!! U-S-A, U-S-A!!! Congrats to my big neighbour to the North, Vancouver. wink

Puckman, you'll have actually attended a live game before then, right?

A little surprised that the home of the Canucks got it. There was a large article in the Los Angeles Times about the bids yesterday and the major thing against Vancouver was that the skiing facilities are 60-90 minutes outside of the city, Whistler, right? Obviously, not THAT big of a deal.

I loved Vancouver the one time I was there and it could be a fun road trip in 2010. Plus, I'll have 4 years to recover financially from my (planned) trip to World Cup Germany 2006 to follow the English national team around.

Go London 2012!

[ July 02, 2003, 01:55 PM: Message edited by: Jim Allen ]

Jim, I hope to have attended an honest to goodness real live NHL hockey team by then! Both Vancouver and Calgary are my closest hopes for teams right now, unless the NHL comes to Portland, Ore.

Like the rest of you, I'm happy for Vancouver and Whistler. I was surprised that Pyeongchang made such a strong showing in the first ballot. Although I knew South Korea had a bid for the 2010 Winter Games, I wasn't sure which city, and at first I thought I heard 'Pyongyang', as in NORTH Korea! As if that country, with its starving people and odious regime could ever hope to host an Olympics!

The victory for Vancouver has been getting extensive coverage here locally, because of course, Calgary hosted the '88 Winter Games, as Adam mentioned above. On CBC, it was pointed out that Vancouver's success means Toronto's bid for the 2012 Summer Games has been effectively killed, which is unfortunate. But when Salzburg was eliminated, it was speculated that the European votes went to Vancouver to ensure that New York does not get the nod for '12, tilting the odds in favour of Paris or London. Politics, politics! However, I think New York still has a better chance than Toronto. Same continent, but at least in a different country. And there is a precedent for having THREE consecutive Olympics in the same continent, viz.
Albertville, France (Winter '92); Barcelona, Spain(Summer '92); and Lillehammer, Norway (Winter '94).

Ironically, Vancouver is Canada's least 'wintry' city. It is far more likely to rain than snow there in February. However, it's a safe bet there will be plenty of snow available for the skiing events in Whistler.

I'll be in Vancouver later this week, so I'll likely get a first-hand sense of the euphoric mood for the Games, much like it was here when Calgary was awarded the '88 Games.

I thought about this today. Although I generally detest cold and snow, I think I want it to be cold and snowy all over during the Winter Olympics, not just at the skiing venues. It would just be weird if it weren't.

vancouver is an awesome city, visited there its beautiful!!! id love to go again soon

I absolutely love Vancouver and probably visit there three or four times a year (it's only about an hour and a half away from me depending on border traffic). It's a beautiful, world class city and I'm glad they will get the Olympics. With Vancouver being so close to Seattle, there will probably be some overflow from the Olympics that will benefit the Seattle area. There was an Olympic Announcement gathering in Seattle and Apollo Ohno was in attendance. He said this may give him incentive to stick around until 2010. And, if lodging is a problem, there is always my house....

He can share my room! Hell, you can too if you promise to share!

QUOTE

Mariner Duck Boy
Apollo Ohno was in attendance.  He said this may give him incentive to stick around until 2010.  And, if lodging is a problem, there is always my house....

Wrong, he's mine! He can share my room! Hell, you can too if you promise to play nice, or not so nice. I was taught to share my toys



It will give me a reason to go back to Vancouver. My partner and I were there in April. Stayed at a great little B&B in the gay part of the city