Vancouver View - VANOC Clarifies IOC Aid Offer; Revelation of Fasel Inquiry

IOC Games executive director Gilbert Felli said the IOC would provide financial support for VANOC. (Getty Images)IOC Aid to VANOC

The IOC pledge to help recession-battered VANOC is not carte blanche.

"(VANOC is) struggling a little bit to balance the budget at the moment," IOC Games' executive director Gilbert Felli said Aug. 26 when coordination commission ended its final pre-Games checkup. "IOC has said that at the end of the Games, if the budget remains unbalanced, we will be ready to come with specific support."

A VANOC news release clarified the arrangement, but did not disclose details.

"The IOC is not guaranteeing to cover all outstanding costs or to ensure there is no deficit at the end of the Games," said the statement.

VANOC said it is responsible for finding more revenue and cutting costs to keep a balanced budget, but stated the IOC has met its global sponsorship obligations. This, despite a $27.13 million shortfall on the projected $177.6 million TOP sponsor royalties based on the IOC delivering an 11-corporation roster. However, only nine remain after Beijing 2008.

The ultimate guarantor for any VANOC losses is the British Columbia government of Premier Gordon Campbell. A $2.53 billion deficit was announced in the Sept. 1 updated provincial budget. Included was $35.2 million for Olympic-related tourism marketing. More than $20 million, however, was cut for community arts and sports groups, but Campbell found $2.58 million for communities hosting the Olympic torch relay.

Campbell’s B.C. Liberals campaigned on a promise of a $447 million budget deficit.

IIHF Inquiry

The findings of an inquiry into IIHF president and Vancouver 2010 coordination commission chair Rene Fasel will be “communicated” to the IIHF semi-annual congress “on or about Sept. 17,” according to legal committee chair Frederick Meredith. The findings of an inquiry into IIHF president and Vancouver 2010 coordination commission chairman Rene Fasel will be revealed “on or about Sept. 17”. (Getty Images)

A Zurich newspaper reported May 10 that a company run by a childhood friend of Fasel, identified only as Y.S., received more than $1 million from 2004 to 2008 via IIHF broadcast and marketing agency Infront Sports and Media. Fasel admitted helping a friend offer services to Infront, but denied receiving any bonus or commission.

The IIHF appointed Deloitte on June 4 to probe Fasel’s activities. Deloitte is also a Vancouver 2010 sponsor.

The IIHF will hold its semi-annual congress Sept. 17-19 in La Marsa, Tunisia. Meredith said the report will also be published on the federation’s website.

Last Test

The four nations Hockey Canada Cup women’s tournament is the last Vancouver 2010 test event.

The tournament, which is being held Aug. 31 to Sept. 6 at General Motors Place, feature defending Olympic champion Canada, defending world champion United States and Sweden and Finland.

VANOC is testing the rink, timing and results and arena operations. A temporary wall was built in the first underground parking level to simulate the space needed for anti-doping, news conferences and offices.

GM Place will be known as Canada Hockey Place during the Games because of the IOC’s clean venue policy.

Another election?

Liberal opposition leader Michael Ignatieff has threatened a non-confidence motion against the Conservative government. (Getty Images)Canadians could be headed back to the polls for a federal election this fall. Michael Ignatieff, leader of the Liberal opposition, threatened a non-confidence motion on Tuesday against the ruling Conservative minority.

He said Prime Minister Stephen Harper failed to fulfill job creation and healthcare spending terms of an agreement to avoid a summer election.

“Mr. Harper, your time is up,” Ignatieff said.

Parliament resumes Sept. 14.

Ski Jumpers File Appeal

The lawyers for women hoping to ski jump at the 2010 Winter Olympics said VANOC is not only carrying out a government activity, but it's helping the IOC discriminate.

Ross Clark and Jeff Horswill's written arguments in the appeal of Justice Lauri Ann Fenlon's July 10 B.C. Supreme Court verdict said the trial decision removes a government activity from protection of the Charter of Rights and Freedoms.

Fenlon found VANOC was carrying out a government activity but she could not enforce the Charter of Rights and Freedoms because the IOC is a foreign body.

"VANOC puts into effect the discrimination initiated by the IOC," said the plaintiffs' Aug. 24 factum. "It is that effect that violates the appellants’ constitutional rights."

Clark's submission said "the Charter cannot be avoided by contract."

A Court of Appeal hearing begins Nov.12. The first event of the Games on Feb. 12 is male-only ski jumping.

Previewing the Games

Canada’s Olympic Broadcast Media Consortium has 14 Vancouver 2010 preview series and programs to be carried on its 12 networks and two websites.

Four programs are previewing the 2010 Games’ hockey tournament and its players for CTV, Canada’s largest private TV network. Top 10 Canadian Olympic Winter Moments debuts Sept. 19, while This Great Land: Canada Welcomes the Torch airs six days before the flame arrives in Canada.

Discovery Channel will feature the sustainability themed Going for Green and Daily Planet on the Road, about the science and technology of the Games.

Meanwhile, 40,000 unique website visitors were counted for the live streaming video of the Aug. 28 Canadian men’s hockey scrimmage at the Calgary orientation camp.

Hoopla for Paralympic Creativity

The 15-member Vancouver Paralympic ceremonies creative team was announced on Monday and it includes a former National Basketball Association cheerleading choreographer.

Jocelyn Peden, who worked with the Los Angeles Lakers and Vancouver Grizzlies, was hired by executive producer Patrick Roberge.

Peden’s career also includes dance gigs with Janet Jackson and Paul McCartney. Music director Paul Airey, art director Daniel Planko and production director Nik Von Schulmann are others on the inner circle for the March 12 opening at B.C. Place Stadium and March 21 closing in Whistler Village.

Canada Code Screen 2010

The second phase of CODE -- Cultural Olympiad digital edition -- was launched on Monday.

The Bell-backed online exhibition will feature 14 works of art inspired by winners of the Governor General’s awards in visual and media arts. The inaugural exhibit is Bees Behaving on Blue by experimental filmmaker Michael Snow.

With reporting from Bob Mackin in Vancouver.