VANOC Seeking To Create Revenue, Trim Costs Ahead Of '10 Games

VANOC CEO John Furlong said that the organization is "still trying to find ways to create revenue and trim costs in the economic downturn" ahead of the '10 Vancouver Olympics, according to Damian Inwood of the Vancouver PROVINCE. Furlong: "Our team felt that when we got into 2009, all the budgets would be set and we wouldn't be faced with the kinds of things that everyone is faced with. We thought this year would be all about executing plans." Furlong said VANOC will, "where possible, find friends who are able to do things we are required to do and to remove a burden in that way." He said that one example was "finding an outside company to design and make uniforms, which has saved a 'significant' amount of money." Another example was a "recent, secondment program to get companies to lend their paid workers, in a bid to cut payroll costs." Furlong added, "We're running the project with the resources we have so that when we cross the finish line, the money in and money out is neutral" (Vancouver PROVINCE, 8/9). The GLOBE & MAIL's Rod Mickleburgh wrote while VANOC "keeps financial details close to its chest, the situation may be getting worse, not better." Known budget shortfalls "amount to as much as [C$42M] -- an undelivered [C$30M] contribution from the International Olympic Committee because of a shortage of global sponsors, and [C$12M] in as yet unsold billboard advertising space." Corporate buying of luxury, C$285,000 packages to the Games, including limousine service and admissions to all the elite Olympic events, "has stalled, and some provinces have still not ponied up funds for marketing and other privileges at the Games." Mickleburgh noted the "cash crunch has forced VANOC officials to seek new dollars south of the border, offering U.S. states a similar chance to buy into the Games, and, in a surprise move last week, asking local businesses to lend them up to 1,500 employees for short-term Olympic service to ease payroll costs" (GLOBE & MAIL, 8/8).

WHAT COULD HAVE BEEN: The GLOBE & MAIL's Stephen Brunt wrote, "More and more, it seems like these are destined to be remembered as the Games That Might Have Been." Brunt: "It appears now that, thanks to the global economic downturn, the Vancouver Whistler Games will be left with precious little room for error or act of God, with fewer frills, fewer bells and whistles, and perhaps even short on necessities." For there to be "even a whiff of panic in the air at this late stage is both a red flag and a threat to the usual home country emotional arc that leads up to any Games" (GLOBE & MAIL, 8/8). Meanwhile, in Toronto, Steve Simmons wrote VANOC "must be reeling from the embarrassment of having to move the Canadian Olympic speed-skating trials to Calgary because its Richmond oval won't be ready in time for the December meet." The "whole point of having an Olympics at home is to provide home-field advantage for your athletes," and the "fact they won't compete on the Richmond ice before the Games is beyond ridiculous" (TORONTO SUN, 8/9).

SECURITY FORCE: The GLOBE & MAIL's Susan Krashinsky notes the coordination of the C$900M security plan for the '10 Games is a "gigantic nationwide human-resources effort, pulling personnel from coast to coast to keep things safe." RCMP Staff Sergeant Mike Cote: "It's the largest security operation, ever, in Canadian history." About 5,200 RCMP officers "will be joined by 1,800 municipal, regional and provincial police officers from across the country," and "thousands of military personnel and private security guards will also be involved." Some of them "will need specific skills." Cote: "I'd venture to say that come game time, every single police force in Canada will be represented here" (GLOBE & MAIL, 8/10).