Niko Brown
LBST 200
November 15th, 2018
Module 5 Assignment
2010 Olympic Games Committee
The Olympic Games Committee and its contributions to British Columbia were responsible for maximizing the benefits of the 2010 Olympic Games in British Columbia. The games could provide the community with tourism, sport, education, arts and cultural activities, recreation, investment. The committee was established in 2003, seven years prior to the Vancouver Olympic Games. The committee was responsible for all the preparations and organization of the Olympic Games throughout British Columbia. The committee was in communication with the districts of West Vancouver, North Vancouver, Vancouver, and more. How did the 2010 Olympic Games Committee prepare for the 2010 Winter Olympics?
The main source is a letter written to a Dr. Lee from the District of West Vancouver. The letter is dated from July 14th 2005 regarding the 2010 winter Olympics and the potential opportunities predicted for the District of West Vancouver. The letter states that the games could provide the community with tourism, sport, education, arts and cultural activities, recreation, investment. (Wood, 2005) Anything pertaining from the letter regarding the date of its creation is around the preparation beginning from 2003 and planning till 2010. The community is predicted to reap the benefits of the Olympics before, during, and after the 2010 games. From the time the letter is written, it is clear that much has been done since 2003 and there is much more to do. The letter is not very descriptive about the past work done, since it only provides a summary for the creation of the committee under the District of West Vancouver. I would like to know more about the communities planning in the future towards the games before 2010.
Regarding the committees’ preparation and the establishment of the West Vancouver 2010 Olympic Select Committee in the fall of 2003; the 2010 Olympic report produced by the District of West Vancouver Selected by 50th Anniversary History Team is a valuable secondary source as it created roughly around the same time as the letter and goes over the history of the 2010 Olympic Committee in great detail. A 2010 Committee report to the council from the district of West Vancouver which would further my analysis on the committees’ preparation and establishment. The purpose of the report was to tell the council progress currently and plans moving ahead.
A small poster regarding voluntary enlistment to West Vancouver’s 2010 Olympic Committee would help me find information regarding the formation of the committee prior to the written letter. The fonds of the Vancouver Organizing Committee for the 2010 Olympic Games from the City of Vancouver archives is another valuable source as it lists some involvement from the committe. The fonds list all the members involved in the committee, some venues, and top Olympic champions. A CBC news article regarding the debt from the games and the revenue produced through the committee brings in an example of the results and overall efficiency of the Olympic committee after the games. The article states “CEO John Furlong announces dissolution of committee, revenues and expenses just shy of $1.9 billion”. (CBC News, 2014) The article also goes over information regarding the debt left over and the most expensive infrastructures built under the committees’ control. Former Vancouver Olympic Committee CEO John Furlong claimed that the cost was all necessary and the entire process was worth it.
In conclusion, the 2010 Olympic Select Committee was created to reap the benefits and prepare for the 2010 Vancouver Olympic Games as best as possible. From the reports listed, it seems the districts are mostly in agreement that the committee was successful. High costs and debts were justified through future sustainable benefits such as tourism, and new efficient system and building for locals. The 2010 Vancouver Olympics made the city of Vancouver ever more popular and that too increased tourism which is bringing in a lot of money for years to come. The letter written to a Dr. Lee from the District of West Vancouver described how the committee prepared for the event by asking local residences, attending committee meetings, and more. Due to the evident results and overall success, it is safe to say the committee was well prepared was given ample time.
My method of inquiry would be a content analysis observing materials such as archival sources with preferable at least one primary source such as the letter listed in my bibliography. I find this approach efficient since I would present my data in the form of an essay. I would find the simple paragraph structure adequate to present my information in order of importance with supporting paragraphs.
Bibliography
R, K. Wood. “2010 Winter Games Will Provide Opportunities for the District of West Vancouver.” Capilano University, THE CORPORATION OF THE DISTRICT OF WEST VANCOUVER , 14 July 2005.
2010 Olympic/Paralympic Report.” Capilano University, 10 May 2005
Committee Report to Council.” Capilano University, 10 May 2005.
Call for Volunteers.” Capilano University, 2 Nov. 2003.
“Fonds AM1550 – Vancouver Organizing Committee for the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games (VANOC) Fonds.” Vancouver Organizing Committee for the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games (VANOC) Fonds – City of Vancouver Archives, 1995 – 2011
“No Debt from Vancouver Olympics, Final VANOC Report Says | CBC News.” CBCnews, CBC/Radio Canada, 4 July 2014.
