2010 Olympics-Vancouver

[dove]

Here are some interesting thoughts on the influence of fans at the Pacific Coliseum:

Home ice advantage?

MATTHEW SEKERES

From Tuesday's Globe and Mail

February 9, 2009 at 10:16 PM EST

VANCOUVER — Canada's vaunted home-ice advantage at the 2010 Winter Games has an exposed flank.

The Asian invasion is unmistakable after two Olympic rehearsals at Vancouver's Pacific Coliseum, a gritty east-end arena. At two test events this winter, Chinese, Japanese and South Korean athletes and fans have transformed the home of 2010 Olympic figure skating and short-track speed skating into their own playground, levelling the playing field in terms of crowd support.

"I saw so many Japanese people and they gave me power," said figure-skater Mao Asada of Japan, a former world champion who finished third at the Four Continents championships last weekend.

"I already knew that there were a lot of Koreans in Vancouver, and I really expected that," said South Korean figure-skater Kim Yu-Na, the show-stealing 18-year-old who won the women's competition. "And a lot of Koreans came from Korea to see my competition, which was really helpful.
"For the next Olympics, I really hope there are a lot of Koreans who will cheer for me and help me."

Canadian athletes might have been the consensus choice at the 14,000-seat former home of the NHL's Vancouver Canucks, but they were not the unanimous choice.

Asia rumbled at an International Skating Union short-track World Cup at the Coliseum last October, and it roared at the Four Continents. Asian flags and languages dressed the 41-year-old building, and Asian fans encouraged numerous elite athletes who are celebrities in their homelands.

Last Friday, before a crowd of 9,873 at the Coliseum for the women's free skate event, the breadth of Asian support and Vancouver's ethnic composition were evident. The event could have been playing out in Tokyo or Beijing or Seoul.

According to the 2006 census, the Greater Vancouver Regional District is home to nearly 500,000 people who identify their ethnic origin as Chinese, Japanese or Korean. Asian skaters said some supporters travelled to be at the event, but they also acknowledged that Vancouver's multicultural makeup makes competing here the next best thing to home turf.

"It feels like I'm in Japan," said Takahiko Kozuka, a male skater who won bronze.

"My parents will be there [next year] to cheer me on, at least," Canadian skater Joannie Rochette, who won silver, said half-jokingly. "Vancouver is a very international city and lots of Asians live here. It's a reality.

"It's good that we're prepared for that. If we had gotten to the Olympics and heard that, it would've been like 'What is that?' "

For Canadian athletes, there is comfort in the fact that Canadian residents had more 2010 Olympic tickets available to them, via a lottery system, than to the rest of the world. Only Canadian residents qualified for the lottery.

Yves Hamelin, short-track program director for Speed Skating Canada, said he expected fewer South Korean fans next February than last October because of the disproportionate distribution and the 2010 organizing committee's attempts to curb scalping.

But that is not a safeguard. The streets capitalists were out in force at the Four Continents, and the lottery system cannot vet athlete or team allegiances.

Last week, the noise level for skaters such as Kim and Asada was as loud, or louder, as the ovations for Rochette.

"They cheered me up because they supported my skating also," Rochette said of fans who listed her as a second or third choice.

For decades, Japan has produced medal-winning figure skaters, but its depth is now so strong the country's national championships are effectively an international grand prix.

China boasts two pairs who could win medals next February. It would be no surprise if chants of "Zhongguo jiayou!" — the popular Beijing rallying cry that loosely translates as "Go China go!" — are heard at the Coliseum next winter.

South Korea is riding the wave of Kim, the country's first internationally competitive figure skater. She lives in Toronto and trains with Canadian coach Brian Orser, but her ascent has opened up a new market for a new heroine.

Kim is a marketer's dream — attractive, friendly, talented, and capable in English — and a victory next February would undoubtedly make her an Olympic darling.

"Until Yu-Na came up, figure skating was a sport we didn't recognize," said Rhee Chi-Hee, South Korea's only international judge. "Now, it's huge."

[sk8on]

We're getting closer...the Winter Games are just one year away from tomorrow.

www.kentucky.com/529/story/690833.html

IOC president Rogge to mark 1-year countdown
By JEREMY HAINSWORTH - Associated Press Writer


VANCOUVER, British Columbia -- International Olympic Committee president Jacques Rogge visits Vancouver this week to mark the one-year countdown to the 2010 Winter Olympics amid worries about the global financial crisis.

With a year to go before Feb. 12, 2010 opening ceremonies, Vancouver's street light posts are draped with Olympic banners. Celebrations start Wednesday in Whistler, 90 miles from Vancouver, where alpine events will take place.

IOC president Jacques Rogge will present a countdown clock at the sliding center where bobsled, skeleton and luge events will take place.

But the lead up to the countdown has been overshadowed by finance issues and Rogge will likely face questions about mounting costs for the games.

The organizing committee has dipped into its contingency fund to the tune of $40 million to cover rising costs because of the slowing economy.

The city just approved a new budget that will allow it to borrow $350 million or more to take over building of the athletes' village after the original lender stopped payment because of cost overruns and a crashing real estate market.

Vancouver Mayor Gregor Robertson recently announced Vancouver taxpayers are "on the hook" for village costs.

The Vancouver Games have an operating budget of $1.63 billion - a $104 million increase over the original budget that was developed about two years ago.

Games security was originally estimated at $140 million to be split between the provincial and federal governments. The Canadian government has since acknowledged that cost could be as high as $800 million - or 1 billion in Canadian funds.

British Columbia's finance minister, Colin Hansen, acknowledged Monday that B.C.'s share of security costs will "likely" blow a hole in the province's total Games budget.

On Wednesday, Rogge will hold a news conference with other officials in Whistler. On Thursday, Rogge will unveil the 2010 Olympic relay torch and torchbearer uniforms.

While Rogge is unveiling the torch, children in Vancouver face off in a hockey game against Vancouver's mayor and Games mascots Quatchi, Miga and Sumi.

Later Thursday, Rogge will invite the world to Vancouver for the Games in a ceremony at the speedskating oval in the suburb of Richmond. Rogge will be joined by British Columbia Premier Gordon Campbell, 2010 Games CEO John Furlong and other dignitaries.

The day wraps up with a sold-out concert featuring Canadian performers such as singer Sarah McLachlan and the Alberta Ballet.

[mtnme]

interesting articles dove and sk8on. As to the Asian population, those of us who were in Vancouver for WC2 can attest to it. The majority of people in the stands (at least sitting by us) were Asian. (We were starting to wonder if they were flown in for the event! LOL) They clearly cheered the most for the Korean Team, not the Canadians, even though that is the country they now resided. Strange though that you would cheer more for your nationality of origin, and not feel that kinship with your country of origin. We as Americans cheer for Americans, (although those of us with an ethnic backgrounds do have a warm spot in our hearts for the country of those origins. I hope the Italians do well, Lily and Sam hope the Japanese do well...etc, etc.)
We cheer for the Canadians when our guys aren't skating, and if their aren't any Canadians, we'll cheer for the Brits.
(at one point, we were cheering so loudly for Team USA, one Canadian tapped us on the shoulder and asked good naturedly "Who let YOU GUYS in here??? ) LOL
For which we replied, 'hey, we cheer for yours as long as team USA isn't out there skating)

Either way, I'm happy to say, the Arena was packed, and a good time was had by all. (but especially us when the US Men's Team took the Gold in the relay!) What a heart stopping, exciting, jump up and down and cheer yourself hoarse, race!!! ;D

(but I still think those bam-bams need to go bye-bye!)

[gasp]

I love fans supporting their athletes. I love to support our US athletes in every way possible whether it be through a private donation, TRF donation or making posters till 1 a.m. at the hotel.

I know for many ST fans they were shocked the first time the group I hang with showed up at an event with custom shirts and signs reminiscent of a high school football or basketball game. The skaters themselves could not figure out what to think.

But you know what. They've gotten use to it. One little red
un(APOLO)getic sweatshirt has involved into Rootin' for Reutter shirts for Katherine; Pit Crew T-shirts for Jordan, and J.ust R.ocks shirts for J.R. We have Baver's Bad A** pins and blue vests worn by the TRF group to attract attention to that worthy cause.

The thing that makes me most proud is in-line with Mtnme's comment above. Regardless of our faves I see most of the short track fans rooting for all the American athletes. How can you not? They give their life's blood for this sport and they deserve the acknowledgment. Yeah it's tough when J.R. and Apolo line up in the same race, but that's just a win-win for the fans.

I've often wondered if the skaters "tune-in" to that stuff and they do. It may not be ringing in their ears as they lap the track, but once the race is over and they stand-up and see the fans cheering, they know we were with them all the way. They show their appreciation by visiting with us in the stands and patiently signing stuff and posing for endless photos during the meet and greets.

To paraphrase Margaret Mead: Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful committed....SHORT TRACK FANS can't impact a race. I think we can.

For those of you lucky enough to have Olympic tickets--ban together--make signs--start the USA chant--whatever. Be the voice for ALL OF US who cannot be there.

[gasp]

Lake Placid Olympics. TEAM USA Hockey wins gold.

The History channel did a three-part story on the Lake Placid games. It was an amazing feat that this little community in upstate New York pulled these games off and still speak of them fondly. Many of the little kids who carried medals and flowers are grown-up and some still live in the area. They consider it one of the highlights of their lives right behind becoming a parent. (Apologies to the wives and the weddings!)

They interviewed several of the "ticket" takers at the Hockey Arena for the Gold Medal Game. If you held a ticket for the event they managed a way to filter out most of the "visitors" from the Americans and stacked that event with US Hockey fans. The gentlemen who sat down and told the story were not embarassed by it, nor did they think it was against the "Olympic Spirit".

They were after all, supporting their Cinderella team and I think they knew before the game started the impact the fans would have on the outcome. I get chills just sitting here telling this story. So, if you ever see that story roaming around on the History Channel--watch it. It's very entertaining on many levels.

[skaterswaltz]

I remember at one of the World Cups last February in SLC (wow-was that a year ago already...?? Olympics - here we come!) when the Korean fan contingent sitting across the Oval from us had their drummer banging away support for their skaters -- um, it was very effective! And then during one of the races that didn't include a Korean skater but some U.S. team members, all of a sudden the Korean group joined us in chanting, "U-S-A! U-S-A!" It was really a cool moment. I loved that we were all one in the short track "fandom" at that moment.

[mtnme]

So true gasp. We may be wearing something that looks like an affinity with only one skater, but truly, we root for them all. At one point, we had a lineup of several National skaters we love, plus the Rocker Fund guys and gals, and we just looked at each other and said "what do we cheer now? Comon' Ya'all???" Which is pretty much what we end up doing. LOL

My personal style seems to be that in a race with a bunch of favorites, I start cheering for whoever is lagging behind. I mean seriously, what else can ya do?

When an athlete is in the zone and in the heat of the race, I doubt they hear much of what's going on in the stands, but when someone is lagging behind and you yell something like, "comon' Anthony! DIG!!!" - and he does, you hope your goofy cheer added a little energy boost to their race. Silly, but true. I've asked several athletes if this is actually a distraction and to a man they've said they usually only hear their coaches. Except for one instance a skater said that a loud cheer at the beginning of a race can be distracting as there is the tendency to want to look up in the stands to see who just called their name. More of a reaction really. So now I refrain from cheering during the first lap of the race. Hey, I sure don't want to distract.

As for the affiliation of skaters, I really DO try to be fair. As I told Katherine's mom, I adore Katherine, she is one of my favorites, but between all the National skaters and the TRF skaters, I'd need about 2 dozen T-shirts! I'd be spending all my time changing my shirt instead of watching the races! LOL
So I was happy to donate to Katherine, I just didn't want a shirt.
(Besides, people with olive skin should NEVER wear that color of green! It makes your skin look like ya died and just forgot to fall down!)
I made an exception with Jordan's shirt because the graphics were just too cool, which is my criteria for T-shirts - they have to be visually interesting for me to buy one.

I heard that JR was actually embarassed by the JR Just Rocks shirts and banned his family from wearing them. (I think JR needs to get over it! LOL) His humbleness is what we adore about him, ...but he still needs to get over it!

The Baver's Badasses pins started as an 'in joke' in reference to the 'dueling doggerels' between MT and Lori.
I also confess, that for me, they're also a way of showing a little extra support to Allison who is constantly getting crapped on by others all over the internet - and for the dumbest of reasons. (and you know who you are).
(If our little Baver's Badasses' pins irritates those individuals, I consider that a bonus! LOL)

but gasp is right. Most everyone as far as the fans are concerned cheer for every skater. We're human, we do have our favorites, and that often has a lot to do with what skaters you have gotten to meet and talk to. With every one you meet, you become thier fan. I don't think you can help it.

[gasp]

Skaterswaltz--I remember that moment too. But my fave moment at that World Cup 6 (yeah, almost a year ago) was the competitive shouting during the "commecial/zamboni runs" For every USA we sent their way, we got a drum beat and some chant that well, I could not understand! But it was so fun. While walking around the Oval that day one of the Korean fans asked to have her pic taken w/my un(APOLO)getic shirt. I didn't speak her native language and she spoke minimal English. But we both understood "our" sign language and the pic was taken. Thank goodness I haven't see out there on the www!

[gasp]

Mtnme: I think J.R.'s over it. I got the story that in retrospect it was pretty easy for him to find his family in the stands. Ya' think? LOL

Here's the throw-down. If you are going to Marquette...Get your thinking caps on. I'm pretty sure the media bigwigs and probably peeps from VANOC will be there to watch. Let's show them what the US Short Track Fans can do.

Make signs for your faves, the teams, crazy slogans

wear you crazy USA hats like the announcer in St. Lou did

Here's my sign: WILL WORK FOR OLYMPIC ST TICKETS

Let's party like its February 2010--for those of us who don't have tickets--boo hoo

[number1fan]

Feb 11, 2009 15:23:14 GMT -5 mtnme said:

As for the affiliation of skaters, I really DO try to be fair. As I told Katherine's mom, I adore Katherine, she is one of my favorites, but between all the National skaters and the TRF skaters, I'd need about 2 dozen T-shirts! I'd be spending all my time changing my shirt instead of watching the races! LOL
So I was happy to donate to Katherine, I just didn't want a shirt.
(Besides, people with olive skin should NEVER wear that color of green! It makes your skin look like ya died and just forgot to fall down!)
I made an

i agree...kelly green looks fabulous on redheads like wildfire but not on us mediterraneans/asians.

[mtnme]

Feb 11, 2009 16:27:26 GMT -5 gasp said:

Mtnme: I think J.R.'s over it. I got the story that in retrospect it was pretty easy for him to find his family in the stands. Ya' think? LOL

Here's the throw-down. If you are going to Marquette...Get your thinking caps on. I'm pretty sure the media bigwigs and probably peeps from VANOC will be there to watch. Let's show them what the US Short Track Fans can do.

Make signs for your faves, the teams, crazy slogans

wear you crazy USA hats like the announcer in St. Lou did

Here's my sign: WILL WORK FOR OLYMPIC ST TICKETS

Let's party like its February 2010--for those of us who don't have tickets--boo hoo

LOL on the 'will work for St tickets!'

But here's a way to cover all our bases:

we'll wear a gold turtleneck with the words JR Just Rocks around the neck - over that is Jordan's shirt - which is under our TRF blue jackets, with our Baver's Bad-asses pins.
Since the green sweatshirts just won't do, we'll keep our eyes open around St. Patrick's Day for those 'leprechaun green' derbies and put Rooting for Reutter on them.
Around our foreheads, we'll have 'unapologetic' red bandanna's, and around our mouths, we'll sport Ryan Leveille's signature green bandanna. We still gotta come up with stuff for Travis, Anthony, Jeff, Kimberly etc, etc....

...and by the time all is said and done, we'll look like the freaking Michelin man and we won't be able to move!

[gasp]

I'm claustrophobic--that just won't do. LOL

Michelin Man, if you only knew how funny that really, really is.

[rinkydink]

Feb 11, 2009 18:24:40 GMT -5 mtnme said:

Feb 11, 2009 16:27:26 GMT -5 gasp said:

Mtnme: I think J.R.'s over it. I got the story that in retrospect it was pretty easy for him to find his family in the stands. Ya' think? LOL

Here's the throw-down. If you are going to Marquette...Get your thinking caps on. I'm pretty sure the media bigwigs and probably peeps from VANOC will be there to watch. Let's show them what the US Short Track Fans can do.

Make signs for your faves, the teams, crazy slogans

wear you crazy USA hats like the announcer in St. Lou did

Here's my sign: WILL WORK FOR OLYMPIC ST TICKETS

Let's party like its February 2010--for those of us who don't have tickets--boo hoo

LOL on the 'will work for St tickets!'

But here's a way to cover all our bases:

we'll wear a gold turtleneck with the words JR Just Rocks around the neck - over that is Jordan's shirt - which is under our TRF blue jackets, with our Baver's Bad-asses pins.
Since the green sweatshirts just won't do, we'll keep our eyes open around St. Patrick's Day for those 'leprechaun green' derbies and put Rooting for Reutter on them.
Around our foreheads, we'll have 'unapologetic' red bandanna's, and around our mouths, we'll sport Ryan Leveille's signature green bandanna. We still gotta come up with stuff for Travis, Anthony, Jeff, Kimberly etc, etc....

...and by the time all is said and done, we'll look like the freaking Michelin man and we won't be able to move!

Okay, we've still got pants, socks, shoes, gloves, and earmuffs.

We may just be able to cover the whole team.

[gasp]

How in the hell are we going to get on the plane much less carry signs into the venue?

and hey, I've been romaing the internet while sick at home. It's unbelievable how many single, male country western singers sale ladies' "boxer" panties in their online stores. Kenny Chesney's say---Buried Treasure. Chuck Wicks' are white with pink hearts. I guess Toby Keith's wife said no way buddy--he sales a pair of black work out pants with "High Maintenance" across the a**. Let's go shopping!

[gasp]

Before this conversation goes further "south" pun intended When DOES the next race start? We need a distraction! LOL