38 — Wednesday, September 30, 1998 — North Shore News AT which possible Canadian Olympic venue would the majority of the International Olympic Committee members most like to spend a two-week winter vaca- tion in 2010? Frankly, I don't know. I don't travel in such exalted company. But come Nov. 21, when the Canadian Olympic Association chooses ane of Quebee City, Calgary or Vancouver-Whistler as Canada’s contender for the 2010 Winter Games, it should put that considera- tion right at the top of its list, Remember Lord Acton’s famous liné: “Power cor- rupts. Absolute power cor- rupts absolutely.”? It does, as world politi- cians keep proving every hour on the hour. The LOC ‘membership is not exempt. If it’s a close call when the chosen Canadian site gocs into the international arena against bidders from, other northern countries, many IOC members will, in effect, say to themselves: “Which of these places would ‘I enjoy the most? A guy:has.to think of creature comforts —~- good restau- rants, luxury hotels, the right ambience. _ Everything else being equal, where am I going to be most comfortable?” They won’t have. to put up with hany ‘hardships, 0 other _ honcho, Spectator than the weather, in any of the three Canadian sites. But factor in a few other consid- erations and all logical think- ing — at times not exactly an IOC strong suit -~ leads to Vancouver: Whistler. Quebcee City, which, co its utter surprise, finished dead last when the 2002 Winter Games went to Salt Lake City, should be a non-starter. Unless, of course, the COA can absolutely assure the IOC that Quebec will still be part of Canada in 2010. After all, the Canadian bid is for a Games to be held in Canada. Calgary has a proven track record. It staged a splendid Games in 1988 and no doubt would do the same again 12 years hence. Also most of the facilities from 1988 will still be in place, a great money- saver in times of ever escalat- ing budgets. On the other hand, the imperious IOC has never concerned itself with the cost of staging Summer or Winter Olympics. That’s a problem for the local organizing com- mittee, not the IOC. Besides, the IOC's everlasting head Juan. Manuel Samaranch, is on record as saying he belicves the Corpofate & Team Sports CAPILANO MALL — 9848818 Golf Lessons Junior Drop-In Saturday & Sunday dinics at 10 am. *10 Adult Camps Beginners & Intermediates. Four one-hour lessons . 70 Club Repair 11 piece re-grip with “Golf pride Spec‘al.” 55 Buckets of Golf Balls: BUY ONE, GET ONEE FREE! Buy one driving range token and get one free. Offer valid with this ad until October 1ith, 1998. (Limit 1 per customer per day.) = Seymour Creek Golf Centre 515 Seymour Boulevard, North Vancouver (Just cast of Highway # i. enter off Mt. Seymour Parkway) 987-8630 for informaiion & appointments. north shore news @ SPORTS Vancouver bid a comfortable choice Olympics should continually move on to new locales and not re-visit old anes. Been there, done that, scems to be his motto. No doubt, other LOC members say the same. Given all the foregaing, Vancouver- Whistler should be the Canadian bidder. Just so long as a Canadian bid has the material backing of Ourawa and Victoria. Tf not, then the Nov, 23 COA selec- tion meeting should adjourn before it starts. Without such hacking, there’s no point in going ahead. Such frustration would not be a new experience for the local Olympic boosters. If chosen, this will be their fourth attempt to land the Winter Games. Their first try, for the 1976 Games, was the closest they came. They made ic all the way to the finals, where they fost when the IOC gave the Summer Games to Montreal. Two sets of Olympics to the same country in the same year? Not a hope. The locals had reason to be bitter. They had the best presentation of all. Montreal had no presen- tation other than Mayor Jean Drapeau’s impassioned pledging of the good name of his city. aN. BEDDING COSTS LESS me MADD COLONY ” HUGE SELECTION v¥ LOW WAREHOUSE ; PRICES SAVE UP TO 50%. Many Unadvertised Specials © Mattresses, Box Springs © Bed Frames & Roll Away Cots © Quilts, Pillows & Pads © Most items in stock for immediate shipment or pick-up © Ask about our Free Delivery, set up & old bed removal service a COLONY HOME FURNISHINGS Saving you money since 1969 1075 Roosevelt Crescent North Vancouver {2 blocks behind Avalon Hotel) Mon - Thurs 9 - 5:30, Fri9 - 9 Saturday 9 - 5:30, Sun 12 - 4 985-8738 He had, however, in the years leading up to the JOC decision, taken the precau- ton of flying in every TOC member for VIP entertaining normally accorded only toa Can You imagine. VANCOUVER WHISTLEIR heads of state. Were they looking for- ward to another visit? You ber they were. Corruption? Just part of the game. And it hurt again two years later, when Denver, which got the nod by default, backed out when a referendum showed Colorado wanted no part of the Olympics. That's how the °76 Games were reeveled “Where would ...Olympic Committee members most like to stretch out in comfort?” into Innsbruck. The planned bid for the 1984 Games — they ended up in Sarajevo — didn’t make it to the starting gate. The B.C. government of the day aoa Barrett and company) had other priori- ties and refused its backing. Then it was third time unlucky, At a 1979 meeting in Montreal, the COA chose Calgary over Vancouver- Whistler for the 1988 pro- duction. Canada subsequent- ty Janded its first Winter Olympics. In just over seven weeks the COA will pick a. city. Quite apart from all the tech- nical details, its members must decide on something truly imporrant: where would the [OC members most like to stretch out in comfort? At the Chateau Frontenac, the Palliser Hotel or the Chateau Whistler? One thing for sure. Whatever the — decision, there'll be one certain winner — the CPR. : Fund for the arts on the north shore. rman Tait © 70 pce visual art exhibit * cocktail & hors d'oeuvres @ fundraising Tickets: ‘30 seen For tickets, contact the North Shore Arts Commission”: 148 East 2nd Street 980-2559 FICAPILANOMALL +R@GERS a! Westmar