Vancouver View - Hockey Tournament "Most Important", Security Questions, London Latest

Hockey Leaders on Vancouver Tournament

The head of the International Ice Hockey Federation said the men’s ice hockey tournament at the Vancouver Olympics is “the most important hockey tournament ever”.

Rene Fasel made the comment at a press conference with NHL commissioner Gary Bettman.

The Vancouver tournament could be the last to include the participation of the NHL. A collective bargaining agreement with NHL players and the league allows NHL stars to compete in the Olympics. That agreement expires next year, meaning pro players might miss the Sochi Olympics.

Bettman said the early stages of the tournament are “off to a terrific start, and we couldn’t be more thrilled to be here.”

Of particular interest to reporters is the state of the women’s tournament. In Canada’s opening match, the host nation thrashed Slovakia, 18-0, an Olympic record.

Time is needed to improve the women’s game, Fasel said. He said no change to the format is needed.

The Canadian and U.S. women “are living in a different planet” Fasel said.

“We have to continue with our objective to promote women’s hockey all over the world.

“The women will come, don’t worry.

“I’m 100 percent sure we will reach a point where we will have a better [women’s] tournament…It takes time.”

Security Breach Questions for VANOC, IOC

The IOC/VANOC briefing was dominated by questions about a security breach at the Opening Ceremony in which a mentally ill man reportedly was stopped 12 rows away from U.S. Vice President Joe Biden.

He was unarmed and was arrested, but not charged.

“We don’t look at it as a security scare; we look at it as a system that was tested through a multilayered system,” VANOC spokeswoman Renee Smith-Valade said. “Hundreds of thousands have passed through security screening and the system has worked, very, very well.”

She said VANOC was confident it was offering a secure and safe environment and was not aware of any other security breaches.

Smith-Valade said the man entered BC Place Stadium wearing a falsified accreditation and did not enter through the spectator entrance. He also got through the screening for prohibited items, but was nabbed by the Integrated Security Unit.

“We are pleased to say we know which entrances we need to increase the viiglance at, which processes we need to adapt and tighten up,” Smith-Valade said. “That has been done.”

She would not give further details.

Ticketing Issues

Smith-Valade said VANOC has seen some counterfeit tickets, but a smaller number than expected.

She reiterated that fans should purchase tickets directly through VANOC to make sure they are not cheated.

“I’d like to think the reason we’re seeing not so many is we took on a very aggressive campaign to warn consumers,”she said.

Asked about blocks of empty seats at figure skating and hockey venues, Smith-Valade said seats purchased by the public were mostly filled. However, VANOC is under obligation to provide seats to sponsors and to athletes who may not be able to attend.

She said VANOC has a “ticket SWAT team” that comes to each sports event and looks at where empty seats are to analyze what VANOC can do to make sure those seats are filled.

Hiatus for Coordination Commission

IOC spokesman Mark Adams said meetings between VANOC and the IOC Coordination Commission would end for the time being. “We feel that things are going so well, we don’t need to have any more. So far it is excellent and we’re very pleased with how things are going.”

London Latest

London 2012 hosted dozens of IOC members at the Olympic Club Wednesday night for an update on the International Inspiration program. The initiative, promisedduringthe London bid for the Games, is meant to develop interests in Olympic sport by youngsters from around the world. Two teens from Trinidad and Tobago are taking in the Vancouver experience courtesy of the London program.

International Inspiration, led by LOCOG co-chair Keith Mills, is now established in 12 countries, involving an estimated 3.3 million youths.

LOCOG chair Sebastian Coe is heading back to London after a week in Vancouver. In a column published in the Thursday edition of the Vancouver Sun, Coe says it’s too early to say what lessons have been learned by the team of 50 observers from London.

But he says he likes what he has seen in Vancouver.

“Wherever you look in this beautiful city, Canadians are full of excitement and pride, and are joining in.

“The venues are full to bursting with knowledgeable sports fans keen to cheer on not just the Canadians, but all the Winter Olympians,” writes Coe.

Presidential Triathlon Reception

International Triathlon Union President and new IOC member Marisol Casado was feted at a reception Wednesday night at the IOC hotel, the Westin Bayshore. Among the guests, ex-ITU president and Vancouverite Les McDonald, IOC members Denis Oswald, Franicsco Ricci Bitti, ex-IOC member Pilar de Bourbon and IOC Honorary President Juan Antonio Samaranch. New ITU media chief Masa Takaya was also on hand, making the move from Tokyo to Vancouver, headquarters for the federation.

By the Numbers

Canadians who have watched the Vancouver Olympics across CTV’s various platforms: 96.1 percent.

Riders on Canada Line: 200,000

Riders on Sea Bus: 40,000 a day

Riders on Olympic Line: 23,000 trips a day

Cyclists in and out of downtown: 4,000

Written by Karen Rosen, Ed Hula and Ed Hula III.