While Vancouver 2010 is searching for 7,500 volunteers to create a strong pool from which to select successful performers for the Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympic Games Opening and Closing Ceremonies, the chairman of the U.S. Olympic Committee (USOC) said Monday the USOC would conduct a national search to replace CEO Jim Scherr, amid concerns Chicago 2016’s bid took a hit with Scherr’s departure.
In the two weeks since the call for volunteers for the Vancouver 2010 Games was announced the organizing committee has received 3,200 applications.
David Atkins, executive producer of the Opening and Closing Ceremonies said, “the sooner interested candidates apply online by filling out an application at www.vancouver2010.com/ceremonies, the sooner they can find out if they have been successful in landing an audition. We need performers to bring our mass choreography to life on the floor of BC Place. But, just as importantly, we need performance volunteers to act as athlete marshals, placard bearers to lead countries into the stadium, and audience leaders who’ll help spectators participate in the show”.
Meanwhile Larry Probst, chairman of the USOC, met with the leaders of America’s national governing bodies Monday. He said Stephanie Streeter would serve as acting CEO and that a full search would take place “although the timing and the process for that search is still to be determined”.
Probst also said the USOC ethics committee would resolve any potential conflicts of interest stemming from Streeter holding a position on the board of directors while serving as acting CEO.
The Associated Press reports Probst changed the word “interim” to “acting” in front of Streeter’s title, an indication that there was no timeline attached to her tenure as fill-in CEO.
Probst said the USOC board would seek greater input in the future from NGBs and other interested parties. He also reportedly encouraged everyone in the U.S. Olympic movement to keep pushing forward in support of the bid to bring the 2016 Olympics to Chicago.
