If Vancouverites vote No in the Feb. 22 plebiscite on the 2010 Winter Olympic bid, International Olympic Committee (IOC) member Gerhard Heiberg said it would not automatically kill the bid, but it would hurt Vancouver’s chances of winning.
He told the Vancouver Sun, “it would not kill the bid, absolutely not, but it will carry some weight. In my opinion (the plebiscite) is very important. If there is a majority in a city not wanting the Games, it is very hard to award the Games to that city”.
He added, “of course the plebiscite on February 22 is of great importance. We think it is a good thing to find out what the people think. This will give us a good indication about the willingness and the openness by the people of British Columbia to host the Games”.
Heiberg is one of three voting IOC members who will accompany an 18-member evaluation team to all three bid cities. The team will visit Vancouver March 2-5.
The IOC is doing independent polling in all three cities. It will also meet and talk with politicians and others when it visits Vancouver.
Heiberg said opposition to the Games is not unheard of, but the IOC would take notice of a substantial outpouring of support or opposition.
“We are used to having 60 or 70 per cent yes, and 40 or 30 say no. But if more than 50 per cent should say no, it’s not very positive. We need the support of the citizens. If people are against it, it is a bad start”.
