Anecdotal Olympic Legacy Items

A smart new transit line from an expanded airport, a faster and safer road to Whistler, community venues such as the Richmond Oval, improved social housing and emergency units for the homeless (an issue always inflames debate), and an expanded convention centre are among the most written about legacies.

Here are some others:

• Apprentice craftsman made the medal-ceremony podiums; many were First Nations earning their way to a career while inspiring their peers to vision self-responsible lives outside of reservation lands.



• The XXI Games was the first true social media Olympics embracing online debate via Facebook, Blogs, Twitter and other social vehicles. It has set the stage for how all future games will be seen.



• Opening ceremony artists lead iTunes downloads – Hallelujah by k.d. lang (who only agreed to perform if she could sing it LIVE – other artists lip-synched) and Nikki Yanofsky’s I Believe



• The circular flags that were installed along Vancouver downtown sidewalks (http://www.flagwalk.ca/) representing the 80+ participating nations. Still a tourist attraction, catch them while you can since many of finding their way into suitcases – honest!



• Post Olympic polls increased numbers from 63% to 86% of those who felt the Games were good for the province.



• One developer claims to have sold $50 million of condo real estate during the Games including one Coal Harbour (downtown) at $22 million.



• As a result of a tent city that sprung up during the Games in Vancouver’s poorest district, the East Side, 46 homeless were found space. Amazing what can be done when under a world lens.

What I miss? see next blog ...

OLYMPIC BUZZ

It’s pouring with rain, the snow is melting and the temperature is uncharacteristically warm for this time of year. But is there panic in my hometown that all these elements could undo the greatest party this city’s ever seen?

Not a chance.

As the city gets dressed for the ball, the excitement for the 2010 Games is palpable. Banners are emerging on streetscapes, colourful marquees now line the waterfront, flags are beginning to appear in windows, Christmas lights are still up (only now, many flicker red and white), and signs pepper the highways and byways, flashing messages of upcoming road closures and diversion.

Retailers still can’t keep up with the demand for wooly red mitts, emblazoned with the Canadian Maple Leaf in the palm – which is just as well because the weather folks are as optimistic for a chilly February as in-the-know sports enthusiasts are that Canada will own the podium this Olympic Games.

Although many Vancouverites are choosing to escape the scramble of hosting the world on their doorstep, I’m staying put. So what if there’s a traffic jam or two? I say, “Just chill in the cooler climes to come, and enjoy”.

And in case you are wondering? Yes, there are still rooms to be found. Check out the listings at http://www.greatestgetaways.com/