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Boosters & Gainsayers

If you listened to both Olympic supporters and critics, you’d think they were speaking about two completely different events. One is an opportunity – a profitable one – to shine on the world’s stage. The other is a threat, not only to Vancouver’s economy, but also to the people who call the city home. Neither opinion has much to do with sports.

By Emily Jackson /

John Furlong, President & CEO of VANOC
—”Our mission, generally, is to touch the soul of Canada.” North Shore News, 2007
—“Our goal with these celebrations has always been to bring the magic and excitement of the Olympic



David Eby, executive director of the B.C. Civil Liberties Association
—”Vancouver’s held lots of international events without needing special bylaws that restrict what people can and can’t say, or without these disturbance offences. I



Jack Poole, 2010 Bid Chairman and CEO
—”Can we do as good a job as Salt Lake City? I think we can. It’s very simple. This event pays for itself.” Hamilton Spectator, 2002
—”For five years, I have dreamt about sharing this



Am Johal, Chair, Impact on Communities Coalition
—”If we can afford security for a three-week party, we can certainly afford to invest in social housing.” Nanaimo Daily News, 2009
—”We think the idea of a socially sustainable



Gordon Campbell, Premier of British Columbia
—On economic benefit: “If you take what I call the pure Olympics, the IOC definition, it’s about $4 billion. If you look at the big number, it’s about $10 billion.” National Post, 2009



Sara MacIntyre, Former B.C. Director, Canadian Taxpayers’ Federation
—“The brand is basically a monopoly over excellence in amateur sport. And it buys to pit countries against each other. It’s brilliant because it plays on patriotis



Tewanee Joseph, Executive Director of the Four Host First Nations
—“The Olympics are providing jobs and development to local aboriginal communities; some living in isolated rural areas recognize the Games as an economic stimulus package helpi



Chris Shaw, writer
—“One of the most prevalent Olympic myths is that hosting the Olympic Games is good for the economy. In fact, the opposite is true as a variety of studies have shown time and time again.” Olympic Resistance Network



Gregor Robertson, Mayor of Vancouver
—”The partnership is a great boost for our efforts to build Vancouver’s green economy.” Vancouver Sun, 2009
—”This is an unmistakable, one-time opportunity for Metro Vancouver, B.C. and



Gord Hill, Editor of no2010.com
—“Governments use Olympic Games to attract corporate investment. Despite claims that Olympics are not political, they are deeply political with devastating social and ecological impacts that cannot simply be ig


If you listened to both Olympic supporters and critics, you’d think they were speaking about two completely different events.

One is an opportunity – a profitable one – to shine on the world’s stage. The other is a threat, not only to Vancouver’s economy, but also to the people who call the city home. Neither opinion has much to do with sports.

So, which will it be? An inspirational party where the world celebrates and money flows into the economy? Or a civil-liberties disaster where the have-nots get even less, and the province winds up in debt?

Here is what some of the loudest advocates and opponents of the 2010 Winter Games have to say. Time will tell who was closer to the mark.

THE CONTRIBUTOR

Emily Jackson is a master of journalism student at the University of British Columbia. She contributes to TheThunderbird.ca and lives in Vancouver. Blog | Twitter