Whistler Olympic Medal Ceromonies killed by budget cuts

by Barry Artiste | January 23, 2009 at 06:02 am

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Barry Artiste Op/Ed
It looks like Whistler may be out of the loop when it comes to the Olympic Medal Ceremonies, because of budget cuts.

Olympic Officials remain tightlipped where alternative venues would be to hold the Olympic medal ceremonies.

Of course on idea to appease both the anti poverty activists and the well heeled would be to showcase the Olympic Medal Ceremonies in Good Old Downtown Eastside.

That way the homeless and the poor would at least get a front shopping cart seat to watch the ceremonies as they stand shoulder to shoulder with Political Wonks and the Rich Celeb types, side by side with the Starbucks and Aqua Velva Drinkers.

Imagine if you will, the Homeless and the Politicians all walking arm in arm down East Hastings, in a veritable Love Fest, singing Kumbuya, exchanging email addresses, backslapping, high 5s etc. Oh Joy o Bliss.

VPD officiers could exchange their Police Units for Shopping Carts and let the DTES residents ring the police sirens, and dare I say, play Taser Tag, just for funsies. The Officers could have shopping cart races down Main Street, the winners would get a Medal too. Yep Good Times!

Not to be outdone perhaps the NDP and Liberal Politicians could offer their homes to the homeless as their guests for the weekend, AH, now wouldn't that be Just So........Precious! I .....think I have a tear!

It would not be expensive to hold the ceremonies on the DTES, politicians can leave the DTES just the way it is, cause we all know Junkies hate Change.

After all many politicians and rich Celeb types express deep concern about helping the residents of the DTES.

So perhaps this is where proof is in the pudding as it would be nice to see if the Rich and well to do are willing to mingle with the downtrodden.

Let's see if the Well Heeled will put their Mouth where their Money and Intentions Lie.

A World Showcase we can all be proud of, after all don't Politicians Crow through their Depends, that we live in the Bestest, Most Wonderfulest Place in the World? YAY GOD! or am I allowed to say that?

Medal presentation ceremonies planned for the $13.6-million Olympic celebration plaza in Whistler will likely be cancelled due to budget pressures, Vancouver Organizing Committee CEO John Furlong said Wednesday.

That means Whistler residents and Winter Games spectators won't be able to catch as much of the Olympic spirit as planned at the plaza, which was especially built for that purpose.

Faced with a much more dire financial picture than expected, the committee has "rearranged" its $1.63-billion operating budget to remove items that are not central to its mandate of providing services to athletes, Furlong told reporters.