Vancouver View -- Olympic Security Budget Wrangle

Canada's federal Royal Canadian Mounted Police have oversight of Games security. (Getty Images)2010 Security Budget Uncertain

Security costs for the 2010 Olympics are now being finalized among the three levels of governments involved.

"We're still working with the federal government on the security issue,” says B.C. solicitor general John van Dongen.

“We're still finalizing the plan. I can't comment on the cost at this time," he says.

The original cost of security given in the bid for the Games five years ago was $175 million, a figure recognized as inadequate for current needs.

While B.C. is negotiating with the federal government, Lower Mainland municipal police forces are negotiating with van Dongen’s ministry for increased Games-time budgets.

Asked if security costs could go as high as $1 billion, van Dongen said “I don’t know what the cost figure is.”

“That is going to be a huge, Olympic-sized surprise for many Canadian taxpayers,” predicted B.C. NDP Olympics critic Harry Bains.

Border Queues in 2010

The director The Peace Arch crossing takes its name from the park and monument on the site. of Canadian Border Services Pacific Region admitted that queues to cross the international border from Washington state into Canada during the 2010 Winter Olympics would be like a "busy summer Saturday, but in mid-February."

Blake Delgaty made the remarks at the Pacific NorthWest Economic Region's 18th annual summit in Vancouver. He was an observer at a forum that was supposed to discuss strategies to streamline Games-time trade and travel.

Traffic volumes are expected to be 25 percent higher than in summer. Figures from 2006 showed southbound drivers waited up to 57 minutes to enter the main Peace Arch Crossing on Interstate 5. It is not unusual for northbound wait times to exceed two hours on Saturday afternoons in summer at Peace Arch or the nearby truck and bus crossing.

A 2007 U.S. Department of Homeland Security report to Congress estimates 287,782 people will come to the Vancouver Games from the U.S., including 30,030 from a "drivable zone" as far south as San Francisco and 15,694 via rental cars after flying to Seattle-Tacoma International Airport.

U.S. Short-Track Team Training

United States short-track speedskating star Apolo Anton Ohno has five Olympic medals, a world championship, a trophy from ABC’s Dancing with the Stars, and he appears on a giant action photo on the side of B.C. Ferries’ Coastal Renaissance.

“I have not seen myself, but somebody told me that,” says Ohno, 26.

“That's cool.” Apolo Anton Ohno is sighted in Vancouver. (B.C. Ferries)

The native of suburban Seattle is the closest to a B.C. athlete on the 3M-made ship wrap to promote Vancouver 2010.

“There were no real coaches or programs in Seattle, I had to learn from Canadians,” Ohno says.

“My father would drive up here on the weekend and we'd have competitions in Burnaby and Vancouver. I would copy and learn and apply whatever I saw from the top Canadian skaters.”

Reigning world champion Ohno hopes to cap his career with a third gold medal at Vancouver 2010. The U.S. team, coached by former Canadian skipper Jae Su Chun, trained July 12 to 20 in South Surrey Arena. Dryland training included a run up North Vancouver’s famed 2.9 km Grouse Grind vertical trail.

“That's a killer workout,” Ohno said.

“We did it twice.”

Ohno returns Oct. 24 to 26 for a short-track speedskating world cup at the Pacific Coliseum, the first indoor test event for the 2010 Winter Olympics.

“The city that’s hosting it is one of the best in the world,” he says.

“It's going to be spectacular.”

Activate the Mimes

Hain Celestial Canada is staging what may be the most eclectic sponsorship announcement in VANOC history.

Hain, the official natural foods supplier, sent eight performers to Vancouver sidewalks on July 22 portraying an alpine skier, boxer, curler and hockey, baseball, tennis and volleyball players in a slow-motion pantomime set to aboriginal drumming.

Hain brands include Yves Veggie Cuisine and Celestial Seasonings herbal teas.

Buy and Fly: Airport VANOC Store

Vancouver 2010 merchandise sales took off at Vancouver International Airport on July 17.

Three months after the airport became a VANOC sponsor, the 1,300 square foot flagship Olympic Store opened on the departures level. It is the first of six planned for the airport and has a wide range of products, including luggage, jewellery and sunglasses. Prices range from $7.99 to $350. The other five will open by October.

Merci, Quebec

Quebec has committed $5 million to VANOC by joining the partner province program.

Quebec Premier Jean Charest made the announcement on July 16 during a visit by B.C. Premier Gordon Campbell and VANOC executive vice president of celebrations and partnerships David Guscott. The funds go to the Own the Podium 2010 athlete development program, Cultural Olympiad, Quebec Day during the Games and Quebec’s portion of the torch relay.

World Press Briefing

Vancouver 2010 is expecting 200 delegates to its world press briefing from Nov. 18 to 21.

The IOC has set a quota of 2,800 accreditations for written and photographic press and non-rights holding broadcasters.

Ooops

VANOC errantly spammed 36,000 potential volunteers on July 17. Fewer than 100 candidates were supposed to receive an invite to an Aug. 10 information session. Executive vice-president Donna Wilson sent an apology after the workforce call centre received 4,000 inquiries about the session. So far, only 400 people have gone through interviews. Wilson expects to process 3,000 a month by this fall.

With reporting from Bob Mackin in Vancouver.

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