Vancouver 2010: Medal ceremonies in Whistler might be scrapped

The 2010 organizing committee, known as VANOC, has suggested scrapping the plan to award alpine and Nordic event medals at nightly celebration events in Whistler as part of an ongoing review into how they can shave costs off their $1.6-billion operating budget.

"VANOC felt there must have been a reason why that would simplify their lives and potentially save money, but council said it's very important for the Whistler community," said Whistler Mayor Ken Melamed.

"Many members of the Whistler community thought this was a fantastic win for Whistler."

The medal ceremonies are the first time a mountain host venue has been allowed to hand out medals. More than half of the total medals being awarded during the Games will be for events in Whistler, a two-hour drive outside Vancouver.

VANOC didn't propose an alternate plan for awarding the medals, Melamed said.

The organizing committee wouldn't confirm it is looking at cutting the medal ceremonies.

"All Games-time venues and plans are currently under review, given the economic downturn and the final preparation of the update to the VANOC business plan," said a statement from VANOC's Terry Wright.

"Until that review is complete and the business plan is given final approval and then made public, it would be inappropriate to comment on specifics."

Whistler has planned a multimillion-dollar party around the medal ceremonies, including construction of the celebration plaza.

Funds for the plaza's $13.6-million budget were contributed by the federal government, the organizing committee and the municipality of Whistler. The plaza is also supposed to play host to closing ceremonies for the Paralympic Games.

Proposed cuts are also being made to staffing and travel budgets, but the board of directors has already warned the committee against going too far and taking away from the spirit of the Games.