Olympic excitement is building

The Vancouver 2010 Olympic Games are set to open in less than 2 days. The athletes are arriving and the anticipation is building. And IAWP First Vice President Margaret Shorter is cool as a cucumber, confident all the police are in position to keep participants, spectators and volunteers safe. Here is latest update.

Margaret's Musings - Part 3

Well this is it. This the week of the Opening of the Vancouver-Whistler 2010 Olympic Games! Monday was the first rehearsal at B.C. Place Stadium. There were 25,000 people in attendance so this was the smaller of of the two planned rehearsals. The second, set for today, will have between 45,000 to 60,000 people. Everyone who attends must sign a confidentiality agreement not to reveal anything they have seen during the rehearsals. Even the performers have been sworn to secrecy for months and amazingly, there have been no obvious leaks.

I came into work Monday morning at the ISU and we are now a secured, non-competition "Venue". For this reason, there are a few security staff at the gate and when I saw the collar dogs and red stripes of the Winnipeg Police Service on one of the officers, I just had to ask Constable Odidisan whether he knew my good friend Sandra Martin. Well of course he did and I promptly let Sandra know that the WPS was on the job and looking sharp! (I will be sure to tell the Chief Margaret!)

My sister officer, house guest, and dedicated VANOC employee, Myra James has been away on duty for the last 48 hours. Because she is who she is, she agreed to cover off one of her teammates so he could have the weekend off for a very important personal commitment. That meant 2 x 18 hour shifts on the job so she is crashing back with Fiona in Vancouver when she can get away for a few winks.

Most of the deployed police officers from across Canada are now "on the ground". They have been getting oriented to their accommodations, their roommates, their transportation, and their assignments. So far the most common complaint is snoring roommates. The food on the cruise ships is amazing so no worries there. Staff Relations personnel are on site and following up quickly on any problems or possible problems.

The Olympic Touch is circling closer and closer to the Lower Mainland. This is day 104 of the 106 day odyssey across Canada and the excitement is palpable. The name of the person who will actually light the Olympic Flame on February 12th to open the Games had not yet been announced but there is much speculation. Perhaps Wayne Gretzky? Perhaps the mother of Terry Fox? Just another one of our well kept secrets.

My sense of what is happening in the city, in media and even among critics of the Games is that the time for objecting has passed. This is going to happen and a message will be better received if framed in the spirit of cooperation. So, there are designated "safe assembly areas" at every Venue where protesters can be visible and put out their message. But there will also be little community support for violence, injury, or damage. We are all proud of Vancouver and want to leave a positive impression on the world!

I ran into RCMP Inspector Barb Kelly in the ISU cafeteria a week ago; she is working here in the Operational Incident Command Centre. I also hear that Larissa Jarson from RCMP Ottawa is in town assigned to VIP duties. She is likely staying on one of the accommodation vessels and will be able to give IAWP readers some insight from there.

I am planning to immerse myself in the Olympic competition event experience if at all possible. Santa bought me tickets for the Women's Skating and Women's Curling. My husband and I also purchased tickets to an evening Medal Celebration Ceremony which coincides with the Curling. I am closely monitoring my work assignment schedule and, so far, that big day is still miraculously clear of commitments. Wish me luck!


From all IAWP Region 11 and Region 12 members, Good luck Margaret and Myra and all of the other police officers working to make this a very successful Olympic Games. We anxiously await the next update as enjoy the Olympic experience. Stay safe.