VANOC keeps 2010 motto secret: But Province readers have some ideas

Damian Inwood, The Province
Published: Friday, June 06, 2008

The International Olympic Committee has approved the Vancouver 2010 Winter Games official motto.

But, sadly, local organizers said yesterday they don't plan to release it for several months.

And a random Province street survey shows that the Olympic organizers may need to do some work massaging the image of the Games.

Because about a dozen interviews failed to produce a single person with a positive slogan for our upcoming world event.

Vancouver bartender Jesse Milner's take on the Five Ringed Circus was, "Vancouver 2010 - putting us in debt until 2050."

Steamworks brewmaster Conrad Gmoser had this to say: "Pray for snow."

Downtown florist Kelly Bush threw this bouquet: "It's just a party for the rich."

Layla Casper, "a young adult trying to make my way," came up with this slogan: "Why save for your retirement when you can blow it on the Olympics?"

And Gastown Photo proprietor Jack Simpson urged visitors, "Come and spend your money."

For Kari Logue, it was an activist motto. "Medals versus housing," she said, and a few more unprintable things besides.

The IOC's executive board approved both the Vancouver 2010 motto and Torch design at a meeting in Athens this week.

"We are pleased that the IOC approved the Games motto and Olympic Torch design today," said Vancouver 2010 CEO John Furlong.

"While we are not yet at a stage where we can share them publicly, with this approval we can now continue to develop and refine the design and creative elements and the specific programs for their introduction. We look forward to sharing the Games motto and Olympic Torch design publicly in the coming months."

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