Vancouver View -- Downhill Champion; US Hosts IOC; Luger Returns to Georgia

Downhill Champion from Switzerland

Three days after the event was originally scheduled, Didier Defago of Switzerland won the men’s downhill event on Monday. Aksel Svindal of Norway and Bode Miller of the U.S finished second and third respectively.

Defago, 32 years and 4 months old, is the oldest winner in the history of the event.

“This is one of the most beautiful days of my life,” said Defago at the post-race press conference.

“The conditions were perfect for me. I knew I would do well, but I never expected to do this well. I had a great year with Wengen and Kitzbuhel. A medal had to come eventually for me. This was always my goal. I wanted to bring home more weight in my luggage than I came here with.”

Not French Enough?

Francophones believe that the Vancouver Olympics aren't French enough, which is causing quite a contretemps.

"We think there was not enough French (at the Opening Ceremony) and that is an opinion shared by a number of other observers," said Quebec premier Jean Charest on the occasion of Quebec Day. "At least it didn't meet our expectations, because we wanted to see the French language and culture highlighted more."

VANOC CEO John Furlong defended the ceremony and the use of French in announcements and on signage.

Quebec Talks Olympic Bid

Quebec Premier Jean Charest said a team is studying the possible candidacy of Quebec City for the 2022 Olympics.

"We have a dream in Quebec," he said. "We hope someday we will see the Winter Olympics in Quebec in one of the most beautiful cities in the world, Quebec City, which is custom-made for the Winter Olympic Games. We hope to see you in 2022."

Quebec was a candidate city in 2002, losing to Salt Lake City, then tried again in 2010 when Vancouver won Canada's designation.

"We understand the cycle of all of this," Charest said, "but we happen to have what I believe to be one of the best cities in the world."

U.S. Olympic Committee Hosts IOC Members

The U.S. Olympic Committee has been actively entertaining IOC members even without a bid city to promote. On Sunday night, 37 IOC members, including president Jacques Rogge, attended a reception at USA House. VANOC CEO John Furlong also made an appearance.

The USOC is hosting another Olympic Family reception in Whistler tomorrow and has partnered with all of its Winter NGBs to host their international federation counterparts at USA House throughout the Games.

USOC Chair Larry Probst and CEO Scott Blackmun have had private meetings with more than a dozen Olympic leaders, including several members of the IOC Executive Board.

The USOC also renewed its existing bilateral agreement with China. Probst and Liu Peng, the Chinese NOC president and Minister of Sport, signed the agreement at USA House. The two countries will exchange best practices in high performance sport and share ideas in sports management and marketing.

The USOC has pledged to help the country of Haiti and the Haitian Olympic Committee to rebuild its shattered infrastructure in the aftermath of January's earthquake and is asking the public to also donate.

The USOC wants to help set up recreational programs and procure donated equipment for depreived children and wants to rebuild the public gymnasium where Olympians trained.

Georgian Luger Heads Home After Vancouver Service

A low-key funeral service in Vancouver was held Monday morning for Nodar Kumaritashvili, the Georgian luger who died in a crash while training last week, just hours before opening ceremony.

The casket was carried from the funeral home by pallbearers from Georgia as well as VANOC CEO John Furlong. Among the 40 or so people attending the event was VANOC chief John Furlong, who served as a pallbearer. Patrick Hickey, president of the European Olympic Committees attended and the IOC was represented by Director General Urs Lacotte.

The casket will be flown to Europe and is expected to reach Tblisi on Tuesday.

Written by Ed Hula.