The Canadian Press reports a proposal to cut back on medal ceremonies for the Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympic Games is of concern to Whistler politicians who’ve committed millions of dollars for nightly parties around the event.
It would be the first time a mountain host venue has been allowed to hand out medals, reports the Canadian Press. More than half of the total medals being awarded at the 2010 Games will be for events in Whistler, a two-hour drive from Vancouver.
The plan to award alpine and Nordic event medals at nightly celebration events in Whistler may be scrapped by the organizing committee as part of an ongoing review into how it can shave costs off its $1.6 billion operating budget.
Whistler Mayor Ken Melamed said, “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. Many members of the Whistler community thought this was a fantastic win for Whistler”.
The Mayor said VANOC didn’t propose an alternate plan for awarding the medals. “They were looking for feedback and the feedback essentially was negative. Council did not want to go there”.
The Canadian Press reports the organizing committee wouldn’t confirm it is looking at cutting the medal ceremonies.
VANOC’s Terry Wright said, “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. 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”.
Olympic organizers have said they were combing through the budget to sort the “must-haves” from the “nice-to-haves” in an effort to ward off any potential hit from the slumping economy.
Whistler has planned a multi-million-dollars party around the medal ceremonies, including construction of the celebration plaza.
Melamed said the plaza will continue to be developed and cultural events will be held as planned.
There are also proposed cuts being made to staffing and travel budgets, but the board of directors has reportedly warned the organizing committee against going too far and taking away from the spirit of the Games.
The new budget is to go before the board at a meeting on January 21.
Meanwhile Vancouver 2010 is having problems securing accommodation in the Whistler area and recently revived a proposal to rent cruise ships to house workers halfway between Vancouver and Whistler, in Squamish.
