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And the tears rolled on

OK, there are quite a few good ones - most of which have been re-hashed in the press many, many times already. So I won't spend too much time on those, because I'm sure we all have our favorites.

OK, there are quite a few good ones - most of which have been re-hashed in the press many, many times already. So I won't spend too much time on those, because I'm sure we all have our favorites.

Mine was less public, although I was able to share it with close friends. We were watching the hockey game over at Merlin's. We had set up the Kokanee Kabin on our patio - essentially a temporary special event tent, but decked out inside to have the appearance of a Canadian trapper's cabin complete with fireplace, a stuffed grizzly bear and of course the real Canadian moose head. Needless to say it became the Whistler Blackcomb "Hockey House" for all of the Olympic hockey games!

So as the story goes, there was two minutes to go in the game, Canada up 2-1, and I looked over by the fireplace to see a grown man - obviously having a patriotic moment - swaying slightly with beer in hand, staring at the TV with tears streaming down his face. It was touching and oddly comic all at once as the poor guy was near comatose.

Regardless, he carried on there for a few moments, up to the point where we all stopped breathing at once - including him - the moment where Zach Parise scored the tying goal for USA. Our mood and all appearances were completely changed. Our friend with the beer almost surely was also going through the same changes, although the cameras would never have caught it.

Upon taking his next breath and coming to grips with his new reality - you guessed it - he just kept on bauling.

The rest of the story goes pretty much as it did everywhere else in Canada. Almost an eternity later, and after many anxious minutes, we ALL exploded in jubilation. Most of us screamed and yelled and jumped around frantically hugging everyone in sight. And some of us just cried...

Paul Street

Whistler

 

Our time to shine, and we did

Even two-thousand-and-ten "thank yous" would not be enough to express the appreciation that VANOC feels toward Whistler. Virtually everyone in this community played a role in the remarkable success of the 2010 Olympic Winter Games. Thank you to our brilliant blue "Smurf" volunteers, our Homestay hosts, information providers, hospitality and hotel sector, the Whistler Chamber, Tourism Whistler, Whistler Blackcomb and our truly wonderful partner in this adventure, the RMOW and all the great people who work there.

Together, we experienced a tragic start to these Games with the loss of Georgian luge athlete Nodar Kumaritashvili. But the compassion of this community was demonstrated by the constant presence of flowers, candles and words of condolence left at the memorial created in his honour.

We went on to share golden moments at the Whistler Sliding Centre, spectacular finishes at Whistler Olympic Park and thrills at Whistler Creekside. We rocked Whistler like it has never quite been rocked through the incredible programs of Whistler Live! The joy and energy that was present in Village Square everyday will be my most fond memory of these Games - that and the storybook ending that none of us could have written better than it actually played out. What a day!

On a personal note, as a 20-year resident of Sea to Sky and a "VANOCian" for the past eight years, thank you to all the friends, neighbours and colleagues who have supported me through this extraordinary journey. The support, enthusiasm and hugs that I received throughout the Games were so appreciated and proved to me yet again just how lucky we all are to live here.

Thank you Whistler. Together we delivered Canada's Games and it truly was our time to shine. I look forward to living the dream with you again in just a few short days when we host the 2010 Paralympic Winter Games.

With a glowing heart,

Maureen Douglas

VANOC

 

A new beginning

I woke up in a different town in a different country today. A country that has found its voice, its pride and its compassion.

From the moment when Alex won Canada's first gold to Maëlle and Ashleigh's local gold our chests swelled. We celebrated the first gold medal in Whistler with Jon in a truly Canadian way. We offered him a beer. The bobsleigh brought us gold, silver and bronze, each one celebrated with the passion of the first.

We sang Oh Canada at least 14 times, most of us twice that.

We mourned the loss of young Nodar with true compassion and respect.

When Sidney Crosby scored the final goal on Sunday, the clouds parted and we reveled in the glory of Canada's colours. I looked around Village Square as Blue Rodeo gave Whistler its own closing concert and it was sublime. That was the moment.

We had done it. All the work of so many had culminated in that pure moment. Ninety-nine per cent of us have put aside petty differences and came to realize the true value of the sport the Games have brought us. We are no longer an isolated village, self indulgent in our own wants and needs. We have accepted our role on the world stage. We have been a part of the most successful Games in history. Lives have changed and priorities have shifted. We have grown up years in the past 17 days.

Think of this...

Own the Podium was criticized when we did not produce an immediate sweep of the medals... we won more gold medals than any country in a single Games.

Crosby was criticized for not producing... he scored the winning goal for Canada's gold.

From this day forward, as we go about our lives, make decisions, form opinions and take actions we will do so with a far more conscious view of the world we live in and the impact we can and do have on it. We will be a little less immediate in our criticisms of others.

Thank you Canada for the most amazing experience of our lives.

Thank you Whistler for being the greatest hosts possible.

Christopher Quinlan

Whistler

 

Kudos to cops

Now that the guests have left, it's time to clean up after the giant house party and wait for the bill to come in.

And it will be a big bill, baby!

In the past couple of years, the RCMP and the Vancouver Police Dept. received a significant amount of negative publicity (a lot deservedly so) due to several incidents and their reactions to those incidents. However, based upon my experience in Whistler, I would like to express my gratitude and appreciation to every law enforcement and security officer who worked in Whistler over the past two weeks, indoors and out.

Thank you.

From the constable from Halifax to the cop from Calgary, from the corporal from Victoria to the security officer in the post office, liquor store and IGA, your efforts are appreciated.

I cannot speak for Vancouver, since I was unable to travel to the city to experience that gong show, but every officer I met at Creekside, on Whistler Way, Lorimer Road and in the village was friendly, courteous, positive and helpful. Their presence was noticeable but not imposing, their attitude was supportive, not controlling.

In light of the publicity regarding the RCMP and VPD over the past few years it was a refreshing scene and the efforts by these men and women contributed to making the 2010 Winter Olympics one of the most significant and successful events in Canadian history.

Thank you again and I hope that you enjoyed your stay here as much as we appreciate having you here.

David Deally

Whistler

 

It's been fun

Well Olympics, it's been fun! I am really going to miss you, even though it took me some time to warm up to it all. Thanks so much for the beautiful highway, the sporting venues and the pocket full of dough!

Until next time, XO.

P.S. Can someone re-set the timer on the village lights as they are still on at 7:30 in the morning... waste of Hydro!

P.P.S. Can't wait to see the Skier Cross Barbie Ashleigh McIvor on shelves in a store near you!

Joanne Van Engelsdorp

Whistler

 

Pinning 'em down

RE: the Feb. 25 article by Claire Piech and the mittens for pins

I'm happy to see someone bringing these crooks to light. I work as a concierge and have stood beside these guys while they work their pin (trading) - which is them ripping people off for a pair of $10 mittens. They will trade some mittens towards pins of course, but only after they take the rarest ones you have and then charge you a $15 fee. I have persuaded people to stay away from these guys when I am nearby and overhear.

I take pride in pin trading and love doing it and I hope that these guys don't put a sour taste in people's mouths. If you want a good example of pin trading you should head down to the HBC headquarters and sit down with some real pin traders there.

Tom Beith

Whistler

 

Pay up time

It is over. The biggest show on earth, the greatest opium fest for the masses, totally addictive, nerve-wracking, impossible not to get excited and utterly patriotic. I had many great impressions. Also many bad ones. Three policemen on every corner do not make for a good impression of a corner.

I have great admiration for the athletes, who in many sports literally put their lives on the line. The greatest heroine among all the athletes for me was Petra Majdic of Slovenia. During warm-up she fell on an icy XC course into a three-metre-deep hole that was left unprotected by VANOC. She broke four ribs and punctured her lungs, yet she raced and won the bronze medal. A true heroic act, on par with the ancient Greek Olympic tradition.

Media initially played down the incident coming on the heels of the death of the Georgian athlete. VANOC got the video of the fall deleted from Youtube. CTV showed the video for their Fan Choice Awards. The anchorman said after viewing Petra's fall: "This was really funny. Just like on the funniest home videos - woman on skis falls in hole." It seems that VANOC and the media were a bit confused which ancient games were to be staged. How appropriately Majdic said in her press conference: "We are not gladiators." Yes, the athletes do make mistakes, but it is the organizers' responsibility to do their utmost to prevent athletes paying for their mistakes with their life or serious injury. We spent $1 billion on security but could not find a couple more dollars for some plastic glass and netting.

I will take one enduring image from these Games. That is the image of the Olympic cauldron imprisoned behind the "iron curtain." That is the true symbol of these Games staged in the military-police camps with fences everywhere.

Now is the withdrawal and pay up time. What am I to do without watching TV for 12 hours a day? The cost of every ounce of gold in awarded gold medals was probably many million dollars. I am hoping my gold stocks will reach the same valuation so I can pay for RMOW taxes, provincial and federal deficits.

Drago Arh

Whistler

 

Marketing money down the tube

I am distressed after watching hundreds of hours of Olympic TV coverage that Grouse, Cypress and Vancouver get all the press when this was supposed to be a Whistler-Vancouver Olympics. Even the luge advertises Vancouver. Where is all the money people like myself pay to Tourism Whistler being spent?

Jerry Litowitz

Bal Harbour, Florida

 

AWARE welcomes feedback

This letter is a formal response from the board of the Association of Whistler Area Residents for the Environment (AWARE) to Al Whitney's letter published a fortnight ago.

As a previous board member Mr. Whitney understands AWARE's purpose, but for the benefit of others, we work to protect the environment here in Whistler. AWARE has always tried to be responsive to its members and strives to continue this tradition. We welcome anyone who disagrees with any of the work we do, or who has suggestions for change - let us know. Often it is simple differences of opinion that create the kind of healthy debate that makes sure organizations, and communities, continue to grow and develop. We are thankful for all the support we have garnered recently and in the past, but realize that it is always most difficult for people to share their feelings of discomfort.

It was great to see Mr. Whitney recognizes the positive impacts AWARE has had in this community over the past 20 years. However, we want to make clear that the days where we work with the municipality, Whistler 2020, local groups and make choices guided by the Natural Step are definitely not behind us. As a volunteer board we work hard to ensure we do our research and get our facts straight. Whenever we are in doubt there are local scientists and environmental engineers who can help us, thanks to Whistlers' incredible network of motivated people engaged in the environment. Our work in relation to the Games involved input from scientists and other experts in their field and partially resulted from several years AWARE spent trying to work with VANOC.

In regards to our Olympic Position Statement it is hard to summarize the negative environmental impacts of the Olympic Games in Whistler. Representing all the details, examples and figures in our statement, while keeping it brief, was impractical. We chose to highlight negative impacts of the Games, to motivate individuals to explore the other side of the positive messaging we knew VANOC would release. However, the main point we return to in all of our interviews is this: The environmental impacts of every Olympic Games will differ to those seen in Whistler. Therefore, it is the IOC who needs to mandate the highest standards in environmental protection and hold host cities accountable to environmental promises. Underpinning this needs to be public access to information on all environmental impacts, consultation on development choices and an impartial verification process.

In response to Mr. Whitney's final paragraph relating to our current president, we would like to make the following points. AWARE has engaged the media on the Olympic issue, placed our position statement and more information on our website and made information flyers available - there has been no protesting and no activism. When I joined AWARE two years ago our president was very clear that she would not be the AWARE spokesperson during the Games. All of our Olympic material gives the Vice President as our contact. Sara has been speaking on behalf of Whistler Watch and she has spoken as a community member. We feel it is important that anyone who sits on the AWARE board can still speak out on issues as an individual - as long as they are clear that they are not representing AWARE - this is their right.

For more information on AWARE or our Olympic position please visit our website at www.awarewhistler.org .  You can also contact us directly at info@awarewhistler.org

Claire Ruddy

AWARE Vice President,

on behalf of the Board of Directors

 

AWARE overstepping mandate

It is disconcerting to many of us that AWARE's analysis of the Olympics has been both incomplete and inaccurate. Their public statement is full of misrepresentation of the facts. For example, the ongoing negotiations between VANOC and both AWARE and FWAC over the Callaghan were meetings which brought about large positive changes in the plan. What is the purpose in suggesting that no changes were made when that is so untrue?

But beyond putting themselves at risk of being ignored by the informed, the board has overstepped their boundaries in declaring:

"...AWARE decided to take the opportunity to send a message to the IOC and future host cities in order to make the Olympic Games more sustainable and take the risk of upsetting people in love with the Olympic Movement."

The mandate of AWARE is to lead on environmental issues affecting the Sea to Sky corridor. It has mostly been funded by the municipal council and by grants from organizations such as the WB Foundation - because it contributed to the local environmental scene.

I fail to see how taking on the imagined role of advising the IOC and future Olympic cities fits the mandate, or the funding.

What have I missed?

Al Whitney

Whistler

 

Where are the morals...

Like so many residents and business owners, I looked with great anticipation to the Olympics. Propaganda made me believe that the Olympic Games were going to be good for our community, so I wholeheartedly supported the process. How exciting it would be!

Then misinformation, conflicting news reports, along with four years of enduring road construction that discouraged travel, that taxpayers are not permitted to drive. Our parking lots virtually empty, residents and travelers denied parking.

Well it worked. Our life-sustaining winter traffic truly discouraged. Here we sit with Creekside businesses behind fences, hotels undersold and a majority of other businesses suffering huge financial losses because of these irresponsible acts. Intrawest, due to its size, is able to achieve compensation, but what about the small business owner? Where is the justice for the hub of the Canadian economy? There have been serious errors in decision-making, but any accountability? It appears that anything is possible if it means smooth running Games; even if it denies our community the ability to support and sustain itself.

Don't get me wrong, I still cheer, but it is bitter sweet.

Adele M Anderson

Whistler business owner

 

The reality of Olympisim

I waited until the end of the Games to see if VANOC would call and ask me to recite my poem "Olympic Dreams" at the closing ceremonies to insert a few words of sanity into the insane spectacle I watched over the last 17 days. However, like most Canadian athletes I didn't make the podium so I had to settle for forth or worse, being published in Pique, but still a personal best.

Until I saw "Olympism" in the title of Michael Beaudry's feature I didn't know what we just witnessed might have a name. When I heard an apologist for Olympism use the word in an interview a few days ago I checked it out before I wrote this letter. Olympism is not in my Mac dictionary nor in my Canadian Oxford so according to these it is not a word. However, when I searched the web I found a definition of Olympism on the site of the New Zealand OC site. There was a four-line description of ancient Olympism and a five-line introduction to modern Olympism followed by a four-point mission statement which says it "...promotes a way of life based on:

...the balanced development of the body, will and mind

...the joy found in effort

...the educational value of being a good role model

...(edited) tolerance, generosity, unity, friendship, non-discrimination (now predominantly financial) and respect for others

Following this definition was a brief explanation of Pierre de Coubertin's motivation. It seems "...he realized sport... was being eaten away by the same ills that were rotting the life of society: racketeering, nationalism, chauvinism, xenophobia... he denounced the influence of money on betting based sport, which was already sullied by the poison of drugs (and probably alcohol) ...He wanted to shelter (sport) from the damaging effects of modern civilization."

Pierre and I share considerable common ground but we have a reconcilable difference in our mission statements. Mine promotes the balanced development of body/mind which generates spirit that I would not mind defining as the "joy found in effort." This inclusive universally funded way of life would require unconditional co-operation which precludes the need for identifying subsequent characteristics like tolerance, generosity, unity and so on; and everyone would be a role model. Although the realization of physical and mental capacities is an ongoing process that generates constant spirit there would certainly be a need to gather and share the joy found in periodic particular realizations but these gatherings I would have to call "Life Games" to differentiate them from the Olympic Games and "Olympism."

"Ism" is actually a noun almost exclusively having a derogatory connotation that is used in a sentence like, Olympism is infected by many of the other isms "rotting the life of society" such as nationalism, chauvinism, materialism, capitalism, commercialism, communism, liberalism, conservatism, republicanism, 'democratism', protestantism, catholicism, all other religions and their offspring whether or not they are suffixed with ism, elitism and so on. In addition to indicating views of life, ism can also be added to nouns to denote pathological thus self-destructive conditions such as alcoholism.

The last 17 days of Olympic Games fit the entire definition of Olympism perfectly. Who better to light the Olympic torch, the symbol of Olympism, than multimillionaire superstar hockey player Wayne Gretzky, except of course Tiger Woods but he is an American eh. The day after the torch was lit I saw Lindsey Vonn in a swimsuit for longer than I saw her in a ski suit. In discussing her with Kelly VanderBeek Michael Landsberg of TSN offered that "marketing yourself is what it is all about." Brit and Emily won't be able to sell themselves. Ashleigh will be able to "sell" her gold if she so decides. She is as pretty as Lindsey but because her sport is the ugly stepsister, she will experience the financial discrimination that pervades life. While Lindsey is advertising Rolex, Ashleigh who "takes a licking but keeps on ticking," might be offered Timex.

My nephew Davey has skied for 30 years, the last four in an effort to earn a spot on the Olympic ski cross team. Despite two podium finishes he was excluded from the race until two teammates were injured. He came sixth. He was interviewed for 30 seconds, only because after Destiny brought him to the big final she kicked Chris Del Bosco in the groin and he was in too much pain to speak. The 19-year-old Korean girl who won the gold for women's figure skating is a multi millionaire rock star god. I saw her commercials. The parents of the girl who won the ice dance had to mortgage their house. I didn't see Joannie Rochette in any commercials. On Sunday, while 20,000 screaming fanatics who paid about $40 million watched about $100 million worth of hockey players, Devon Kershaw, who probably lives below the poverty line, was competing in the 50k cross country race in front of the competitors behind him. He was fifth but just missed gold by 1.5 seconds. He was interviewed for only about 15 seconds. Perhaps the interview was short because they had to go back to hockey and interview every Canadian player and his mother; or it could have been because Devon's sentiments which echoed those of all losers in the insane Games, would rhyme with they suck.

It is not Pierre's fault. When Olympism is superimposed on all the other isms of life, despite what he says not even John Furlong can keep any number of them from showing through. I will eat Pique if as he said in his closing remarks, "...Canadians are more united than ever before." To be fair though I insist I wait until after our government begins "working" again on March 3. If our "leaders" show any sign of characteristic disunity I will further wait until we are told how much borrowed money everything related to the Olympics cost and how much of its share the federal government will download onto B.C. and Whistler as it tries to trim its ballooning deficit. By then I am confident I will not only not have to eat shredded Pique, there will be talk of B.C. separating from both Canada and Victoria. I hate to be a skeptic but I wonder too how patriotic athletes will remain when their funding is eventually cut. I wasn't personally affected by the patriotism. To help pay for it last year, our B.C. government cut $8 million (80 per cent of its budget) from the environmental protection agency we wouldn't even need if we had half a brain, and I find it impossible to be a proud Canadian when I am embarrassed to be a human. What embarrassing cuts will there be this year?

I must say though, the entire Olympic experience was not negative for me. When I separate Olympism from athleticism I am amazed by the performances. If I get twisted the wrong way when I get up at night, I can't find the way to the bathroom so any activity that involves flipping and twisting leaves me particularly awed. Not counting the number of times I fell while learning how to snowboard about 15 years ago, I can count on one hand the number of times I have fallen while enjoying the slopes over the years. So anyone who races on the edge, especially with three other people, also amazes me. Because I have my own dream I enjoyed sharing the "I did it" moments of the athletes. I have had my dream for 40 years. It is a life dream not related to the Olympics so I have had to fund it myself. I now rely on my mother for support. I think of having my own moment and you publishing my Olympic letters has helped keep my dream alive. I thank my mother many times a day. I thank you one last time.

Even your negative comment in your opening remarks last week, that the "extra half hour opening for bars... hasn't signaled the decline of civilization" revealed a glimmer of hope for the future. During one of the myriad interviews during the non-stop Olympic celebrations I heard a bar operator brag that they had sold two or three times as much beer in a day than they usually sell in a month and when I read your claim I did a search to see if I could find the clip. I couldn't but while I was looking I found an article about Prime Minister Putin's ambitious program to cut Russian alcohol consumption in half by 2020. He will fail of course unless he can "promote the balanced development of body/mind and the generation of spirit,... the joy of effort." Nevertheless, at least he understands the factual relationship between increased consumption of alcohol and the further decline of civilization. Perhaps I will send him a copy of the February 17 Pique in which you published my poem. Maybe he will read it at the $11 billion 2014 Sochi Olympics, if they get the town built and there is enough snow.

Doug Barr

Whistler B.C

www.thelastwhy.ca

 

Thanks for the memories

Wow! Was that not the best 17 days we've ever seen? Can you believe that we were in the centre of it all; our name was on everyone's lips, people are taking a piece of us home with them, that they might come back because it was such an incredible time here. We really shared ourselves with the world!

On Feb. 13, Day One of the Games, walking through the village you could feel it in the air that something had changed. There was no feeling of gloom, no feeling of doubt, no underlying sense of "what have we gotten ourselves into?" Everyone was smiling, there were all kinds of people walking around in team/country jackets and children from all over the world were enjoying themselves on the new playground at Celebration Plaza.

My daughter is almost two years old. She probably won't remember this moment in her life. But she has a Team Canada jersey with pins from all over the world adorning the front, she has photos of herself at events, she has her Olympic mascots, she has her mommy and daddy who are dreaming that maybe she's one of those next-generation athletes who could compete on the world's stage.

Certainly, we can acknowledge that a button-hole amount of money was spent on hosting these Games. Certainly, we can acknowledge that that money could've been better spent on solving some problems. Certainly, we can acknowledge that an opportunity to be greedy resulted in many getting the short end of the stick (I would argue that that greed was already an underlying factor to begin with).

Certainly, though, we can agree that this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity has changed our community and dare I say, our country, in a way that only hosting the Games can. From coast to coast to coast we have been united in celebrating our athletes and the joy of their achievement in sport and can-do attitudes. There has to be something healthy and "worth it" that comes from that; let's make sure of it.

Yes, Own the Podium was a far-reaching goal. Heck, we came darn close, though. We've won more gold medals as host country of the Winter Olympics than any other host country before us. We saw our first home-turf gold medal, we saw our first three-gold medals in one day, and some of us get to say "I was at the finish line/in the arena/on the course" for those moments.

We watched hometown heroes achieve their dreams and we were devastated to see some not quite make it. We celebrated the wins of other countries like good sportsmen and women do and then were exuberant in our own. Our team spirit grew by the medal, and yes winning isn't everything but golly if isn't nice to see our country's flag raised and our national anthem sung in our house. That's "owning" something if you ask me.

Thanks need to be given and forgive me if I miss someone, I'm only going from the experiences I had during these Games.

To the volunteers in their blue coats and toques with their endless smiles and "how's your day," even though many of you aren't from Whistler you sure as heck made me feel even more welcome in my own town than I've ever felt before. Thank you for that.

To the bus drivers who came on board a week out and had to put up with the frustrated people who expected you to know it all on your first day, thank you for being here and making it so easy to leave the car at home - riding the bus is now our daughter's favourite thing to do!

Thank you to the RCMP officers for being here and making us feel safe, even if some felt that we were "too" safe.

Thank you to the visitors from other countries who asked us to be in your photos and wanted to take pictures with us, how fun to know that we're a part of your memories of Whistler and the 2010 Olympics.

To the athletes, from every country, for being strong and inspiring and playing your best and being humble and gracious in your victories - you make me well up when I think about watching you in your collective moments. Be proud of yourselves, for a long time.

And finally, thank you to my fellow Whistlerites. We sure know how to host the party, eh?

P.S. What are we supposed to wear now?

Aimee Decaigny

Whistler

 

We did it

After years of planning we can say "we did it." I am as proud to call Whistler my home as I was 20 years ago when I moved here.

On behalf of Citta' I would like to thank all our customers for adding to the memories. There are so many people to thank. All the blue jacket people, the RCMP, Whistler Live! - the list goes on and on.

But there are no people that I want to thank more than the staff at Citta'. After all the planning and the waiting, they entertained the world and made memories for life. I could not be prouder of these friends!

Scott Gadsby

General Manager, Citta' Bistro

 

Keep the spirit alive...

What an incredible two weeks it has been. On March 12th, we welcome the exceptional athletes of the Paralympics. Let's keep the same spirit alive in Whistler. In the Paralympics we host the majority of the events.

It seems to me that John Furlong deserves an Order of Canada for the job he has done in bringing this nation together.

And we must remember to recognize the original Whistler council members (and it was not all of them) who had the foresight and courage to support the bid for the 2010 Olympics. They enabled us to show the potential this community has to offer to the world.

It is time to exhibit that same courage, vision and leadership to recreate our community by diversifying our offerings to the world. I stand ready to develop a world class learning centre, anchored by a university, with the potential to attract leaders and learners from all of the nations that have just visited us. The campus will be located on only 25 acres of a 78 acre site that has been through three thorough and positive environmental studies and that, with council approval, is already being developed. The wetland nearby will be preserved forever.

Whistler's potential lies not in living in the past but in opening itself to the world. We saw how incredibly vibrant our community became hosting the world; now let's build on this amazing experience by creating another year-round attraction for both our own citizens and those of the world. I encourage you to go to www.whistleru.com and offer your comments and input. Let's build on the base created this month and next and continue to create a vibrant and exciting community.

Meantime, let's all support the Paralympics and Go Canada Go!

Dr. Doug Player

Whistler

 

Reflections on the Games

Oh Canada. How you make me smile in knowing you are my home. Sure am glad I hung around in Whistler to watch these last few weeks unfold! Whatever your take on the general ethics of the IOC - or for that matter VANOC - the story told to the world of our wondrous nation is one that made many of us so very proud.

Whether emanated through the brilliance of the athletes, messaged through one of the ceremonies, or conveyed through simple gestures while walking down the Village Stroll, this was a celebration of unity, of multiculturalism, determination and openness. Janice McKenzie you are right - we live in one of the warmest and most welcoming places in the World. If 2010's Olympic spectators didn't get that before they sure as hell are telling that story now!

The opening ceremony had me gripped. Spectacular performances incorporating totem poles, dance and chants depicting our first inheritors, to captivating images of prized virtues mother earth so freely gives - the grace of the orca and benevolent might of the spirit bear, from the vigor and splendor of the immigrant's tap, to the dreamy flight of a Saskatchewan boy reflecting the journey of his soul's lament... the entire ceremony was simply bursting with messages communicating all that Canada now is.

Something John Furlong said really hit the mark. For this is in part a land that unites so many - both a people born of the land who carry lanterns of tradition and culture rooted in a wisdom that lies deep within, and those who are born of - or come as Canada's new immigrants from around the world choosing to make it their home.

To speak of the latter (for I am one), as conveyed through the words of John Vancouver - whether immigrants cast from where we came, or simply unable to resist the magical allure that is Canada, we are drawn together to this amazing place - exploration and creativity living and breathing deep within our core. Perhaps particularly blessed here in British Columbia - with each passing day, inspiration from unfathomable beauty feeds our spirits energizing action from the simple theories they would otherwise be.

To me, the real legacy of the Games is the connections we make.

The very fact that we feel such pride at being seen in this light of unity and open embrace, and the fact that others around the globe share how rich indeed this is gives me great hope for the future - for the collaboration and peace the entire world must find.

For when we can stand as one world supporting each other's virtues in each and every way, all will be empowered and much needed change will come.

Hold on though - with the Paralympics in our wake we're far from done yet! Consider the story they tell. To me it's one of unrivaled perseverance - never giving up no matter what life throws our way. May the athletes inspire us to consider how we keep the flame alive - far beyond the torch itself. How can we as individuals, as a community, as an entire nation stoke a fire so bright, that the smiles created throughout these last two weeks continue to spread from cheek to cheek - on every brow, on every face wherever and on whoever they may be.

Caroline Smalley

Canadian Citizen!