Vancouver View -- Canadian Air Force Could Carry Torch, Media Turned Off By Rising Prices

The 2010 torch relay may receive air assistance from the Canadian Air Force (ATR/B.Mackin)(ATR) The Vancouver 2010 torch relay may take to the skies with the help of the Canadian Air Force…Press briefing delegates complain that VANOC prices could affect coverage

At 27,900 miles, the Vancouver 2010 torch relay is the longest of its kind within a single country.

But 11,160 miles will be in the air and the Canadian air force could be the carrier. The route, unveiled Nov. 21, includes stops at 14 Canadian Forces bases and stations.

Canadian Heritage department documents released via public disclosure laws show VANOC asked the Department of National Defence on Nov. 7, 2007 for domestic and international flights "in return for a non-commercial partnership agreement with benefits."

The 2010 Games are a key part of the June-released Canada First Defence Strategy, a long-term plan to rejuvenate the Canadian Forces.

"We've been working very closely with the DND to look at what the opportunities might be," said VANOC torch relay director Jim Richards.

The flame will be lit Oct. 29, 2009 in Olympia, Greece and is scheduled to arrive around noon the next day at Mile 0 of the Trans-Canada Highway in Victoria, capital of the Olympic province and just 42.78 miles from Vancouver.

Meanwhile, the torch may appear in the United States after all. In 2006, the Washington State government hired Patrick Kinsella and Mark Jiles, former election campaign managers for B.C. Premier Gordon Campbell, to lobby the B.C. government and VANOC for Olympic-related contracts and a stop on the torch relay.

The torch will be at the Peace Arch border crossing on Feb. 9, 2009, but it could cross the border sooner. The Mile 0 marker is across the Strait of Juan de Fuca from the Olympic Mountains in Washington.

"We'd be willing to look at it," Richards said. "Planning hasn't been done to that sort of detail."

Rising Prices, Declining Media Coverage?

There could be as many as 11,800 accredited media at Vancouver 2010. But the numbers could be far fewer if the economy wreaks havoc.

Media delegates complain that higher prices from VANOC may force them to cut staff. (ATR/B.Mackin)Associated Press Director of Special Events Bud Weydert said 75 percent of items in the VANOC rate card are priced higher than the previous four Olympics.

"This is the cost you can do nothing with and the net effect is the only place you can make real adjustments to make the bottom line is to cut staff," Weydert said. "When you cut staff, you cut coverage."

Weydert said the AP is hoping to have a temporary bureau of 160 people at Vancouver 2010, but the size won’t be determined for several months.

Several WPB delegates complained that the $263 per night, per bedroom charge at Whistler condominiums was too high. VANOC Executive Vice President Terry Wright said media would be allowed to share space but had to respect occupancy limits.

…Briefs

…A Nov. 21 evening reception for the World Press Briefing was briefly disrupted by Olympic Resistance Network protesters who walked into the event dressed as Vancouver 2010 mascot Quatchi. They proceeded to hand out leaflets explaining why the Games are detrimental to the homeless, aboriginals and the environment before they were ejected by security guards.

…The B.C. Auditor General has delayed yet again the analysis of government spending on the 2010 Games. John Doyle’s report was supposed to be released in late November, but the release date was quietly postponed until December. No date or reason was given. The last report was issued in September 2006 and estimated the cost of the Games to taxpayers was $2.05 billion. The update was originally expected lateVANOC protesters disrupted a World Press Briefing reception, passing out leaflets to delegates until security ejected them. (ATR/B.Mackin)last year.

…Fences, high-tech sensors, surveillance cameras and law enforcement personnel will form a "hard ring" around 2010 Winter Olympics venues, RCMP Vancouver 2010 Integrated Security Unit Supt. Kevin deBruyckere said on Nov. 20 at the World Press Briefing.

Venue access will be limited to ticketholders, accredited personnel and athletes, coaches and officials, but "the overall focus is on a sporting event with a security overlay, rather than a security overlay housing a sporting event," deBruyckere told the World Press Briefing. VANOC security integration director Francesco Norante said daily updates will summarize security incidents and warn about protests and road closures.

…The company that was supposed to provide the RCMP enough cruise ships to house 5,000 police and soldiers during the 2010 Games is pondering a lawsuit. "We are evaluating our options and intend to seek redress for this breach of contract," said Jack Strauch, the lawyer for Cruise Connections Charter Management of Winston-Salem, N.C. Strauch said the RCMP reneged on several "large ticket items" that he would not disclose.

…The B.C. government is investigating Olympic Broadcasting Services Vancouver for breach of provincial employment laws. The host broadcaster asked Broadcast Training Program applicants to pay $50 each to be considered for archival and technical assistance jobs at the 2010 Games. The Employment Standards Act prohibits "charging a fee for providing employment or information about employment to any person seeking work." OBSV chief operating office Nancy Lee announced that application fees would be refunded.

With reporting from

Bob Mackin in Vancouver.

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