The Olympic Winter Games Experience

['Los]

Photos: Olympics bring security checkpoints, fences, and closures to Vancouver | Vancouver, Canada | Straight.com

Ridiculous!

['Los]

Olympic chef renames his 'bison burgers' after McDonald?s objects

Olympic chef renames his 'bison burgers' after McDonald’s objects

Suzanne Fournier, Canwest News Service Published: Friday, February 05, 2010


VANCOUVER -- The chef at a First Nations food pavilion at the Winter Olympics says he had to rewrite his menu to purge the word "burger," after the McDonald's chain -- an Olympics sponsor -- objected.


Chef Andrew George, who created the menu for the Four Host First Nations' pavilion, said organizers had to rewrite one of the menu items -- a trio of bison burgers -- after a complaint from the Golden Arches.


"McDonald's is a big corporate sponsor at the Olympics and it turns out they were really touchy about us calling any food ‘burgers,'" says Mr. George, who has published a cookbook and is working on a TV show.
"So we're serving these three little bison patties that now we're calling sliders, or bannockwiches, with sauteed wild mushrooms and Saltspring Island goat cheese between bannock rounds."


There may be little similarity between the native chefs' bison sandwiches and a McDonald's quarter-pounder with cheese, but the Four Host First Nations chefs aren't picking a fight with the corporate food giant.


This is "the first time in history that indigenous peoples have been recognized by the IOC as official partners in the hosting of a Games," says the FHFN statement.
The Lil'wat, Musqueam, Squamish and Tsleil-Waututh First Nations, who share the traditional territory on which the Olympics are being held, entered a protocol agreement in 2004 to abide by all Olympic rules.


"McDonald's hasn't been in contact with the Four Host First Nations regarding this. Contact VANOC directly to discuss sponsorship," said McDonald's spokesman Chris Stannell.
VANOC's Bill Cooper, head of commercial rights management, said "there are a number of guidelines ... at all designated 2010 Games celebration sites, of which the FHFN pavilion is one."


Mr. Cooper noted that may include forbidding "certain brands or words that create special associations with our sponsors and their products."
That reflects sponsors' "significant commitment and investment," said Mr. Cooper.
Mr. George's 25 years as a trained chef, including stints with a top-flight European hotel chain, as well as his love of traditional native food lore, have made him ready for the world stage at the 2010 Olympics.


MR. George cooked at Expo 86, where aboriginal cuisine was a huge hit, and he went on to teach and excel at the 1992 German "culinary Olympics."


Canwest News Service

['Los]

All This Over a Boxing Kangaroo Flag?

Posted by Vancity Buzz | Friday, February 05, 2010 | Australia Boxing Kangaroo Flag Vancouver, News, Olympics, Vancouver 2010 |

That crazy Aussie boxing Kangaroo flag draped over the side of the athletes village in False Creek has somehow infuriated the IOC. Perhaps, the IOC believes the flag confuses people into thinking it's the Summer Olympics as boxing obviously isn't a winter sport. Our weather isn't helping either.


I say let them wave their flag, a boxing kangaroo isn't a match for the Crazy Canucks anyways. The Aussies aren't backing down and good for them as this is just ludicrous. They've done it in past games and will do so in future games.

Members of the Australian Olympic team say they will defy an order to take down a giant flag they've hung on the side of a condominium building at the Olympic Village in downtown Vancouver.
The green and gold flag, measuring about 50 square metres, shows a golden kangaroo wearing red boxing gloves.
The International Olympic Committee has ordered the flag to be taken down because it's a registered trademark. Displaying a registered trademark goes against IOC rules.
The trademark is owned by the Australian Olympic Committee, which does not object to the flag's use by the Australian Olympic team.
"We do it every Games," Mike Tancred, an AOC spokesman, told the website news.com.au.
Tancred said the team intended to keep the banner flying. [source]

['Los]

[Grapes]

I love the first pic. So appropriate.

I propose a "burger" protest. If anything, I would of thought Oxford would have the right to such a common word.

[gnosis]

^Oh, yeah!

I'm "experiencing" the Gong Show, already!

Just running around downtown, doing errands and chores
this past Sat, the core was mobbed!

Tons of people taking pics of everything/anything!

Plus the stinkin' black helicopters flying around!

PLUS! The Irish tent is right across the street, beside my building. Walking past to a _real_ pub (Johnny Fox's Irish Snug), I asked them if there was a cover charge.
"$15!"
To go into a tent on a parking lot.
Yeah.
Some "experience".

Frosty
(really wants to leave town!)

[rawb]

WAKE UP SHEEPLE
9+11 = 20(10)
VANCOUVER OLYMPICS = VOLUME PRIVACY CONS i

[ebbomega]

YOUR MATH IS AWFUL RIZZY.

20(10) = 200 > 9 + 11

JEEBUS.

HOWEVER 9 + 11 + 2 + 0 + 1 + 0 = 23 WHICH IS ALSO THE LETTER OF THE ALPHABET THAT THE LAST PRESIDENT WAS KNOWN BY. ALSO ONE OF THE NUMBERS IN LOST.l

[dj_soo]

The internet told me 20(10) was an inside job. |

[cubed]

IT'S ALL MAKING SENSE NOW!!!i

[dj_soo]

i'm still wondering what's happening to all the homeless people - i've seen way less in the streets than normal.

a) shipped off to kelowna
b) shipped to surrey (unlikely they can make it back in less than 14 days)
c) sent to jail cause being poor and mentally ill is a crime
d) sipping maitai's in a government-sponsorted resort lodge
e) fenced off in one of those restricted olympic zones
f) robert pickton was a fall guy

[SEAN!]

i was at the torch relay here in new west just an hour ago, there were some jakes mean muggin from a suburban but other then that it wasn't so bad.

if you get jammed in over all the police and security in town then your just a victim pussy who needs to practice some acceptance and get over yourself. they'll be gone soon enough.

[SEAN!]

Originally Posted by 'Los

why aren't they strapped?

[rawb]

only place i've seen cops/security is outside venues. havent seen a gun yet.

['Los]

wow the numerology is just awful guys. who the fuck actually thinks like that?

Originally Posted by SEAN!

why aren't they strapped?

To accept is what they want you to do. I was talking to a few americans from cali and, basically they said its felt like they haven't left home with the amount of police and military around the city. There's even secret service agents down on Cambie all the way down to YVR, conversation I had with a VPD officer and he seemed a little uneasy as well with the amount of "security" there's in town. What kind of cop would admit to that.

And yeah those dudes are strapped. That's a big truck with some serious heat in the back. Don't forget about the sonic crowd control weapons the VPD intends to use either. That's been in the news quite often.

['Los]

Originally Posted by rawb

only place i've seen cops/security is outside venues. havent seen a gun yet.

Lots of cops on Hastings between Renfrew and downtown, because of the temp no-stopping by-law. Within a minute of stopping or driving in the "olympic" lane, you'll get bwoop-bwoop and flashing red and blue lights. I lost count after literally the 20th car, and that was just on the 2600 block of Hastings where I work. There's a police convoy of 20+ cruisers parked at PNE fairgrounds waiting to give you the $50 fine.

And if you haven't seen the stealth choppers, then you're missing out.

[SEAN!]

Originally Posted by 'Los

wow the numerology is just awful guys. who the fuck actually thinks like that?



To accept is what they want you to do. I was talking to a few americans from cali and, basically they said its felt like they haven't left home with the amount of police and military around the city. There's even secret service agents down on Cambie all the way down to YVR, conversation I had with a VPD officer and he seemed a little uneasy as well with the amount of "security" there's in town. What kind of cop would admit to that.

And yeah those dudes are strapped. That's a big truck with some serious heat in the back. Don't forget about the sonic crowd control weapons the VPD intends to use either. That's been in the news quite often.

nikkuh you pussy.

sometimes its necessary to roll gorilla steez, an event like the olympics is one such occasion.

['Los]

Olympics spectators told to expect airport-style security


BY LARRY PYNN, CANWEST NEWS SERVICEFEBRUARY 2, 2010C

Vancouver police try and direct traffic Friday around new Olympic road closures at Pacific and Expo boulevards and Quebec Street in Vancouver.
Photograph by: Steve Bosch, PNG
VANCOUVER -- Arrive early and arrive light.

That's that the advice from security officials to anyone attending Olympic events this month.

Spectators should arrive two hours before city events, three hours before mountain events, and four hours before the open and closing ceremonies. Expect the sort of security screening procedures in place at international airports rather than typical sporting matches.

Olympic officials told a news conference Monday on the PNE grounds that anyone with a bag smaller than 15 cm x 15 cm x 30 cm or no bag at all will be directed to an express lane, whereas anyone with a larger bag will be diverted to a standard lane in which the bag must be put through an x-ray machine.

Either way, spectators must walk though a magnetometer screening device -- again, similar to an airport. Accredited individuals as well as people in wheelchairs will have their own lane.

"The less things you bring with you the quicker you'll be able to go through those screening devices," said RCMP Staff Sgt. Mike Cote of the Vancouver 2010 Integrated Security Unit, estimating the screening time at 30 to 60 seconds per person. "If you don't have to, don't bring a bag...or keep it as small as possible."

He added: "As I speak to you today there is no specific threat against the 2010 Olympics. Our strategy has been to plan towards a medium level of security so it can be ramped up at a moment's notice."

They are strapped. If the pigs have guns in their holsters, then military has full automatic weapons at the ready.

Cote was not specific when asked about the potential for spectators with any number of forms of explosives on their bodies to pass through the screening area undetected.

"That's not the only detection system that we have -- and I'm going to leave it at that," he said.

"There are other systems and processes in place to ensure that the venues are safe."

On the issue of security cameras, Cote said ISU cameras are pointing both at the perimeter and inside of Olympic venues. He said they are leased equipment and will be returned after the Olympics.

ISU cameras being leased out by company called VARINT. The company that leased their equipment to UK government during the 7/7 bombings, which in fact, conveniently did not record certain events that day. For whatever reason.

He added peaceful and law-abiding protestors have nothing to fear from security cameras. "Peaceful protest is not against the law," he said. "If we do have an issue, it's when the line is crossed, when the laws of this country...are broken. Other than that, we're not concerned about protests if they're kept legal."

Food and drinks are not permitted to be taken into city venues; sealed water bottles (not glass) are permitted in the mountain venues because of the lack of free water there.

McDicks will be the only food available at any Official Olympic site. That's it.

"You can get drinking water without purchasing water at all city venues," noted Jan Damnavits, director of venue management for the Vancouver Organizing Committee for the 2010 Winter Games (Vanoc).

Contemporary Security Canada (CSC) will be providing security screening services under the supervision of the ISU in the spectator screening areas.

Todd Severson, CSC project director, said anyone who refuses to submit to a security screening won't be allowed inside an Olympic venue.

Sikhs will be allowed to carry their traditional kirpan knives into venues.

For further information, visit Spectator Guide : Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympics.

Beyond the most obvious -- weapons and explosives -- the list of banned items at Olympic venues includes flammable liquids, fireworks, and water balloon launchers includes (Other restrictions specifically mentioned on the Vanoc website):

• Leaflets, pamphlets and non-approved publications, promotional material and wearables

• Animals (except service animals).

• Balls, Frisbees, racquets, hockey sticks, pucks and other sport items.

• Bicycles, scooters, skateboards, skates, skis, snowboards, sleds.

• Broadcast and lighting equipment from entities other than rights-holding accredited broadcasters and the host broadcaster.

• Broadcasting and recording through the use of mobile phones or other transmitting devices (such as two-way radios, recording devices, PDAs or video cameras) for commercial purposes.

• Displays of signage and banners containing religious, political, provocative or obscene content and or visible branding and trademarks of sponsor and non-sponsor companies; flags of non-participating countries; flags and banners larger than 2 m x 1 m; poles larger than 0.9 m (flags cannot be attached to any surface in the venue).

• Devices capable of causing a disturbance such as air horns, trumpets, lasers, thundersticks and noisemaking that might disrupt the session or be disturbing to other spectators.

• Drugs, needles, prescription-strength medicines not validly prescribed for the ticket bearer by a physician.

• Flash photography and other lighting devices (such as laser pens) anywhere around the field of play (exceptions may apply).

• Folding chairs or benches (stadium cushions are allowed in mountain venues)

• Glass containers or bottles.

• Golf umbrellas, open umbrellas in seating areas disrupting spectators' views.

• Large bags (bags small enough to fit under a seat and not obstruct aisles are allowed) containers, coolers, ice chests.

• Strollers in a seating bowl or viewing area.

• Unauthorized collection of money or commercial activity (such as hawking, ticket resale), sale of counterfeit goods.


Read more: Olympics spectators told to expect airport-style security

['Los]

VANCOUVER ORGANIZING COMMITTEE FOR THE 2010 OLYMPIC AND PARALYMPIC WINTER GAMES | The Vancouver 2010 Experience

What to bring:

...For all venues:
4. Bring your Visa card or cash. Visa debit, Visa credit cards and
Canadian currency are the only accepted forms of payment at Olympic
venues. Visa is the only card accepted to obtain cash at automatic teller machines (ATMs), as well.

That's fine if you have a visa. But what if you're a succesfull type that only uses Amex, or some poor American schmuk who only has a Diners Club Card Lol.

....In the mountain (Whistler and Cypress Mountain venues) specifically:
3. Snacks and beverages are permitted on the Olympic bus network. Due to the length of time required to travel up to Whistler venues,
spectators are allowed to bring snacks and beverages on the bus trip. Outside food and beverages, however, will not be allowed into the venue.

Hope you enjoy the long line ups, work up a massive appetite to only be offered Rotten Ronnies, and you leave with that aching feeling you in your lower intestine when you need to pinch one really bad. Hopefull people refuse to eat such crap (seems unlikely) and pour over to local eateries to eat some real food.

[rawb]

im trying to reply but my human rights are being suppressed

[stephen_c]

Originally Posted by 'Los

that's a $100k+ mercedes.
maybe $200k+ w/ equipment.

[ebbomega]

... which I'm sure they purchased all of specifically for the olympics.

Originally Posted by dj_soo

i'm still wondering what's happening to all the homeless people - i've seen way less in the streets than normal.

a) shipped off to kelowna
b) shipped to surrey (unlikely they can make it back in less than 14 days)
c) sent to jail cause being poor and mentally ill is a crime
d) sipping maitai's in a government-sponsorted resort lodge
e) fenced off in one of those restricted olympic zones
f) robert pickton was a fall guy

According to one of my Sociology professors, the government re-opened River View and can either force the homeless to go if temperature are below 0 or bribe them with free food/shelter. Its ironic because many of the mentally ill on the streets where kicked out of River View when the government decided to closed it down years ago... and now they conveniently decided to open it up again the same year as the Olympics?

Maybe we should host more international events to ensure our government will take social responsibility for the homeless more often.

I dont know what is the big deal about "airport-style security?" If you go to any popular tourist attraction/event anywhere else in the world, its common to go through metal detectors, scanners, and be searched like you're about to go onto a plane. Not to mention massive delays on transportation. Expect to be treated like cattle, thats how they treat football fans in Europe.

The only problem I fore see is that Vancouver/Canadians have no idea what is to come, are panicking, complaining, and dont like the fact that our quint little city is now being run like New York or London.

BUT THATS WHAT BIG EVENTS DO TO CITIES!!!