Vancouver Olympics 2010
With the winding-down of the Beijing Olympics, it seems inevitable that Vancouver’s organization should become a political target - at least in Canada. Thus, it is hardly surprising that the media should notice the none-too-subtle conditions attached to federal funding, not to mention the coincidental cuts to arts funding. Equally inevitable will be the debate over aboriginal territorial claims.
VANCOUVER, Aug 22 (IPS) - The 29th summer Olympics cast renewed light on China’s treatment of ethnic minorities in Tibet, and as the games wind down, a similar, if less pronounced set of controversies will follow the torch to Canada when Vancouver hosts the 2010 winter games.
Many indigenous nations in the Canadian province of British Columbia fear the 2010 games will further erode their traditional territory, opening large areas of unceded land to tourism and infrastructure development, damaging hunting and fishing grounds.
VANCOUVER: OTTAWA WANTS OLYMPICS TO REFLECT ITS POLICIES
(RCI) The Globe and Mail newspaper reports that the federal government intends to use its financial participation in the 2010 Winter Games in Vancouver to showcase its policies and priorities. The newspaper bases its report on a secret memorandum written by Marie-Geneviève Mounier, assistant deputy minister in international and intergovernment affairs and sport to a Canadian Heritage official. The newspaper obtained it through the Access to Information law. It says that Canadian Heritage will invest $20 million on the opening ceremonies “…to ensure that the event adequately reflects the priorities of the Government and helps to achieve its domestic and international branding goals.” But Renée Smith-Valade of the Vancouver Olympic Organizing Committee denies the government intends to politicize the Games, saying it is a partner and that Heritage Canada’s international expertise will help the organizers present the best Games possible. The current Beijing Games have been described as among the most political ever.
Ottawa says it is investing, not meddling in opening ceremonies
August 22, 2008 at 8:49 PM EDT
(The Canadian Press) VANCOUVER — The federal minister responsible for the 2010 Winter Olympics says the Conservative government is not trying to use its big funding contribution to dictate what goes into the opening ceremonies.
But Olympic experts say it would be naive not to think the Games’ showcase event will be completely devoid of political content because it’s always been there.
The government has come under fire from critics over a memo outlining the terms of its $20-million contribution by the Department of Canadian Heritage to stage the opening ceremonies — just over half the $38-million budget.
