Vancouver 2010

Today the International Olympic Committee (IOC) announced the four final candidate cities for hosting the Winter Olympics in 2010 - and Vancouver is one of them.

The other three are Bern in Switzerland, Salzburg in Austria and Pyeongchgang in North Korea.

You can read their press releases online.

In the opinion of this web site owner, Vancouver has the leading chance for hosting the games. They would appreciate our support from the Pacific Northwest of the USA. As we lose some of our resource-based industries - logging, fishing, cheap electricity and the industries they supported - we need to strengthen our tourist business to keep our economy healthy. Tourism can aid us in preserving our natural environment by making our natural beauty a resouce for business.

Why Canada has the advantage at this time:

1. 3 of the 5 previous Winter Olympics will have been in Europe - with 2006 in Italy. The IOC likes to spread the games between continents. Advantage N. America.

2. Canada has not hosted since 1988, which would put a 22-year gap between games for Canada. This is long enough for the IOC.

3. Canada did a super job at the Calgary Winter Olympics in 1988 - and this weighs with the IOC.

4. Whistler over the past 20 years has become one of the best ski resorts in the world, ranking #1 on many lists and in the top few on all lists. A Winter Olympics there would be on a super facility. It has the accomodations.

Vancouver/Whistler needs all the support we can give. Switzerland has the #2 advantage and will work hard to get the games. Bern will present a venue similar to Vancouver's with skiing a short drive away and skating in the city. Vancouver needs our support now. Check their web site and sign up.

If Vancouver gets the games, the dates will be Friday, February 5 to Sunday, February 21, 2010. You can start making plans now.