The city of Vancouver is bustling with preparations for the 2010 Winter Olympic Games. Intensive construction efforts directed to improve transportation, provide housing for athletes and venues for competitions have been underway for several years. Major projects such as the Sea to Sky Highway, and the Canada Line skytrain addition are just a few examples. The immense activity during a mega event such as an Olympic Games is mind boggling. For 17 days between February 12th and 18th the streets, buses, and skytrain will be congested constantly with people moving every which direction all day and night. Crowded stadiums filled with high profile VIP’s and athletes would be a tantalizing target for terrorist attacks. The logistics and costs to setup city wide surveillance and security are massive and several multi-million dollar studies are underway to strategize how best accomplish this goal.
The Vancouver Olympic Committee is expecting to spend somewhere around $177 million dollars on security for the games, however the number is likely to increase. Olympic watchdog’s “2010 Watch†spokesman Chris Shaw questions the validity of this claim. In 2002 the US spent over $500 million in Salt Lake, while the Athens Olympics ran a bill of $1.5 billion US dollars. How could a number like $177 million be realistic when other cities have spent so much more? Most of the money, approximately two thirds, will be spent on providing additional police and security personnel during the games. The next biggest expense will be surveillance equipment, voice stress analyzers, security cameras, and explosives sensing equipment. CCTV networks utilizing highly advanced hardware and software will give security officers an astounding amount of information. These networks will be able to recognize people’s faces and be able to rapidly cross check their identity with government records or hotel registrations. Rapid access to this information could give the police the edge they need to prevent a major terrorist disaster.
One concern is that the cameras will remain in place after the games, as they have in recent venues such as Salt Lake City and Sydney, and that they would infringe upon individual privacy. Indoor and outdoor cameras numbering in the thousands will be installed everywhere from Downtown Vancouver to Whistler. Others question whether or not the cameras will actually do anything to prevent even a small scale terrorist attack. Even if the presence of security cameras does not actually prevent a crime they would certainly help the Vancouver Police Department identify and apprehend perpetrators and this can help reduce crime in the long run.
About the Author
About the Author: Mike Ward is the owner and operator of Protection Depot, a leading online provider of security cameras and surveillance cameras. For more information about security cameras, please visit Protection Depot.
Showing posts with label 2010. Show all posts
Showing posts with label 2010. Show all posts
Tuesday, October 20, 2009
Monday, October 12, 2009
Experience the Romance of Whistler by J. D. Arca
Located a two hour drive from Vancouver, British Columbia (five hours from Seattle) Whistler has long been known as a world famous winter wonderland popular with skiers. It's now starting to become a more popular destination with tourists, but it's still one of the world's destinations where you can experience a romantic vacation away from it all with your partner. If you are considering a city based vacation, Whistler also offers you the chance to spend a few days getting away from it all if you are holidaying in one of the nearby cities of Vancouver or Seattle.
Accommodation is still quite limited in Whistler but as host to the 2010 Winter Olympic Games there will be an increasing amount of hotels available. There are currently no large resorts in the area but a number of hotels are available. The weather in Whistler is cold in the winter which usually lasts from November to April but it's always warm in many spa facilities to be found in the pedestrian village and which offer everything from a massage to relax tired muscles to botox injections.
Whistler is a dream vacation for those who love the snow and want to find some winter romance. It's also a fabulous place for a honeymoon (you could even consider getting married there if the idea appeals to you!) - and celebrities are also starting to appreciate the seclusion of this unspoiled part of Canada. There are plenty of ski runs to cater for all abilities of course, but the fun doesn't end there. If it can be done on snow, it's probably going on in Whistler! There's ice climbing and snow mobiling for the more energetic, whilst the more leisurely tourist can enjoy such gentle activities as glacier tours - and what could be more romantic than snuggling up with your partner on a sleigh ride? Wildlife in British Columbia is abundant so if photography is a passion of you and your partner, then there are plenty of opportunities in Whistler - with the wild animals and flowers - and not to mention the breath-taking mountain views.
No longer just a winter resort that closes once the snow thaws, there are now many activities you can enjoy during the summer - making it perfect for couples who are looking for a vacation that offers them a variety of outdoor activities. Aside from the usual horseback riding, and kayaking that you will find at many other destinations, Whistler also offers you the unforgettable experience of bungee jumping or how about the romance of following a wagon trail? If you and your partner enjoy a round or two of golf, Whistler also has its own golfing facilities.
As the 2010 Olympic Games draw nearer, and even more so once they are finished, Whistler will be firmly on the map as a tourist destination, but for the moment it is one of the most romantic vacation areas for couples, especially during the more unpopulated off-season summer months. Whether you choose to take part in some of the many outdoor activities together, or just relax in the beautiful surroundings, the mountains of Whistler offer a chance for a romantic break at any time of year.
Plan a perfect romantic getaway to top romantic vacation destinations by shortlisting an itinerary ahead to prevent hassles.
Article by J. D. Arca.
About the Author
The author is a freelance writer based in Canada.
Accommodation is still quite limited in Whistler but as host to the 2010 Winter Olympic Games there will be an increasing amount of hotels available. There are currently no large resorts in the area but a number of hotels are available. The weather in Whistler is cold in the winter which usually lasts from November to April but it's always warm in many spa facilities to be found in the pedestrian village and which offer everything from a massage to relax tired muscles to botox injections.
Whistler is a dream vacation for those who love the snow and want to find some winter romance. It's also a fabulous place for a honeymoon (you could even consider getting married there if the idea appeals to you!) - and celebrities are also starting to appreciate the seclusion of this unspoiled part of Canada. There are plenty of ski runs to cater for all abilities of course, but the fun doesn't end there. If it can be done on snow, it's probably going on in Whistler! There's ice climbing and snow mobiling for the more energetic, whilst the more leisurely tourist can enjoy such gentle activities as glacier tours - and what could be more romantic than snuggling up with your partner on a sleigh ride? Wildlife in British Columbia is abundant so if photography is a passion of you and your partner, then there are plenty of opportunities in Whistler - with the wild animals and flowers - and not to mention the breath-taking mountain views.
No longer just a winter resort that closes once the snow thaws, there are now many activities you can enjoy during the summer - making it perfect for couples who are looking for a vacation that offers them a variety of outdoor activities. Aside from the usual horseback riding, and kayaking that you will find at many other destinations, Whistler also offers you the unforgettable experience of bungee jumping or how about the romance of following a wagon trail? If you and your partner enjoy a round or two of golf, Whistler also has its own golfing facilities.
As the 2010 Olympic Games draw nearer, and even more so once they are finished, Whistler will be firmly on the map as a tourist destination, but for the moment it is one of the most romantic vacation areas for couples, especially during the more unpopulated off-season summer months. Whether you choose to take part in some of the many outdoor activities together, or just relax in the beautiful surroundings, the mountains of Whistler offer a chance for a romantic break at any time of year.
Plan a perfect romantic getaway to top romantic vacation destinations by shortlisting an itinerary ahead to prevent hassles.
Article by J. D. Arca.
About the Author
The author is a freelance writer based in Canada.
Thursday, October 8, 2009
2010 Winter Olympics by Doug King
I live here in Vancouver the site of the 2010 winter Olympics. I am totally excited about this fabulous sporting event. Providing the world stage for this amateur event is a huge accomplishment for the organizing committee. I just wish more people felt the same way.
The local media is of course all over this event and all the preparations that are going on to make it all come together. What I can't seem to get my head around is all the negativity that seems to be surrounding the coverage. Granted lots of money have to be spent to ramp up the facilities required to put the Olympics on. But the naysayers seem to be forgetting that not only is all this money being spent in the local economy stimulating many local businesses but we will also have all these venues left for future generations to enjoy. They won't go away after the two-week event. These facilities will be enjoyed by many generations to come.
I know that some of the previous Olympics have not been a smashing financial success. But I bet that very few of those host nations in the end regret having done all that they had to do to put on the show. The boost to the local economy and the dollars that follow no doubt made up for any front-end investment in the event. And let's not forget the Olympics are about the athletes not the opportunity to profit from the event.
Of course there are financial risks. Especially in these tough economic times. Isn't stimulus spending the order of the day though? It seems to me that the Olympics are the perfect place to stimulate our local economy. The Olympic village being built to house the athletes is an example of this. Due to the global credit crunch the city is being forced to underwrite the cost of construction. The media seems to think this a complete outrage. What they miss reporting on is these condo units are going to be for sale on the open market once the Olympics are done. In that neighborhood condos sell for an outrageously high amount of money. The city can't help but not only just make their money back but make a tidy profit as well.
I am confident that when the opening ceremonies start the detractors will be largely silenced. Pride in our hosting the Olympics will be overwhelming. I suspect even the media will be jumping on the bandwagon and be reporting on the amazing job that Vancouver and Whistler is doing putting on the games. Olympic fever will trump even cost concerns at least until the events are over.
No doubt on the day following the closing ceremonies the headlines will return to cost overruns and financial mismanagement. Even without any real possibility so soon of an accounting of all that happened. The true cost and revenue generated can't possibly be known for at least a few years following the event. Tourist numbers and dollars will likely grow for several years after.
Security is obviously a huge issue around these types of events and the cost is very high. I admit this might be turn out to be an outrageously high expense. It is a sad testament to the times we live in. But even with these added costs I am confident the games will be a success both financial and as an event that will put Vancouver on the map.
Having said all this I would still like to see the Olympic games brought back down to reality. Do we really need those opening and closing ceremonies that have become larger events then the athletic events themselves? The money and efforts they consume has risen to the point of being absurd. The Olympics is supposed to be an amateur sporting event not the commercial spectacle that it has become. I am certain the athletes would welcome the focus returning to the games and away from the circus it has become.
About the Author
I recently produced the feature film The Harvest Project, the tag line is " What would you do to save the life of someone you love". You can see more at http://wwwtheharvestprojectmovie.com
The local media is of course all over this event and all the preparations that are going on to make it all come together. What I can't seem to get my head around is all the negativity that seems to be surrounding the coverage. Granted lots of money have to be spent to ramp up the facilities required to put the Olympics on. But the naysayers seem to be forgetting that not only is all this money being spent in the local economy stimulating many local businesses but we will also have all these venues left for future generations to enjoy. They won't go away after the two-week event. These facilities will be enjoyed by many generations to come.
I know that some of the previous Olympics have not been a smashing financial success. But I bet that very few of those host nations in the end regret having done all that they had to do to put on the show. The boost to the local economy and the dollars that follow no doubt made up for any front-end investment in the event. And let's not forget the Olympics are about the athletes not the opportunity to profit from the event.
Of course there are financial risks. Especially in these tough economic times. Isn't stimulus spending the order of the day though? It seems to me that the Olympics are the perfect place to stimulate our local economy. The Olympic village being built to house the athletes is an example of this. Due to the global credit crunch the city is being forced to underwrite the cost of construction. The media seems to think this a complete outrage. What they miss reporting on is these condo units are going to be for sale on the open market once the Olympics are done. In that neighborhood condos sell for an outrageously high amount of money. The city can't help but not only just make their money back but make a tidy profit as well.
I am confident that when the opening ceremonies start the detractors will be largely silenced. Pride in our hosting the Olympics will be overwhelming. I suspect even the media will be jumping on the bandwagon and be reporting on the amazing job that Vancouver and Whistler is doing putting on the games. Olympic fever will trump even cost concerns at least until the events are over.
No doubt on the day following the closing ceremonies the headlines will return to cost overruns and financial mismanagement. Even without any real possibility so soon of an accounting of all that happened. The true cost and revenue generated can't possibly be known for at least a few years following the event. Tourist numbers and dollars will likely grow for several years after.
Security is obviously a huge issue around these types of events and the cost is very high. I admit this might be turn out to be an outrageously high expense. It is a sad testament to the times we live in. But even with these added costs I am confident the games will be a success both financial and as an event that will put Vancouver on the map.
Having said all this I would still like to see the Olympic games brought back down to reality. Do we really need those opening and closing ceremonies that have become larger events then the athletic events themselves? The money and efforts they consume has risen to the point of being absurd. The Olympics is supposed to be an amateur sporting event not the commercial spectacle that it has become. I am certain the athletes would welcome the focus returning to the games and away from the circus it has become.
About the Author
I recently produced the feature film The Harvest Project, the tag line is " What would you do to save the life of someone you love". You can see more at http://wwwtheharvestprojectmovie.com
Friday, October 2, 2009
Paralympics Games. Special Sports for Very Special People by Joe and Irma Mac Millan
Paralympics games follow the Olympic Games by twelve days. After the 2010 Vancouver Olympics athletes are finished doing what they do best, Paralympics from all over the globe will converge on Vancouver and Whistler British Columbia to compete.
So just what are the games about?
What qualifies as a disability?
What sports may we expect?
Where will each sport venue be located?
Now take a look at these titles one by one to enable us to be better informed.
So just what are the games about?
The second world war had a profound effect on people of the world who lived through that terrible conflict. Millions of brave soldiers, sailors and airmen lost their lives in the quest to win freedom for the rest of us.
For every death, many more were wounded and a great number were disabled for life. Thousands were in wheelchairs. Countless numbers of these brave souls had lost limbs.
Sir Ludwig Guttmann was born in Poland in 1899. By 1939 he was a leading neurologist working at a Jewish hospital in the beautiful city of Breslau on the Oder river. He was forced to flee to England when the Germans invaded Poland.
He strongly believed that sport was a wonderful therapy for building physical strength and the well being of those who were severely injured. The British government founded the National Spinal Injuries Center in a city near London and asked him to be the director of the center.
He organized different games the disabled could play. Each year a few more athletes would enter the games by 1953 approximately 145 were entered.
The Olympics directors were beginning to take notice of these games and beginning in Rome in 1960 the Paralympics Games were held after the Olympic Games and it has been that way ever since. Guttmann was awarded the Order of the British Empire (OBE) and the Commander of the British Empire (CBE) for his outstanding leadership. The Paralympics Winter Games were first held in Sweden in 1976 and have been a regular feature of the Olympic games format since the 1992 games in Albertville.
What qualifies as a disability?
There are six basic groups within the Paralympics qualification movement. Those are spinal cord injuries, visual impairment, amputee, cerebral palsy, intellectual disability and another group with disabilities that are outside the box and do not fit into any other category.
Each sport has its own classification rules. Athletes are governed by officials know as classifiers who will observe the athletes both in and out of their sport. If an athlete improves, he/she may be reclassified up or down. The system continues to evolve and is always open to review.
What sports may we expect?
There are four sports competitions for the 2010 Vancouver winter Paralympics.
Alpine Skiing.
With the invention of the Mono Ski the sport has gained popularity very quickly. Now disabled skiers who cannot stand are able to sit and with the special short crutches with skis attached they are able to steer and keep their balance.
Cross Country
With the Paralympics Games held at Ornskoldsvik Sweden in 1976 the sport of cross country skiing got its start. At first only the classic form was permitted. Now some 30 years later many changes have taken place opening the door to a great number of skiers with a variety of disabilities. Wheelchair Curling
The sport had its beginning at the Paralympics Winter Games in Torino Italy. Played very similar to regular curling except the athletes sit in wheelchairs, either propel the stones with only arm action or use a pusher called a cue, down the ice to the concentric rings. The task of pushing the stone is more demanding than regular curling because the athletes must play while the chair is stationary.
Ice Sledge Hockey
The exciting sport of Ice Sledge Hockey had its introduction at the 1994 Paralympics Games in the beautiful town of Lillehammer, Norway. The sledge is usually made of aluminum with two steel blades. The players carry two double ended sticks. These have a pick on one end and a curved blade which they use to shoot the puck. The pick allows the player to gain traction to propel their sledge along the ice.
Biathlon Skiing and Shooting
The main difference between Olympic Biathlon and Paralympics Biathlon is the shooting position. It's always from the prone position in the latter sport. The categories are the same as in Cross Country Skiing. The equipment for those skiers who have no use of their legs use an apparatus called a Sit-ski. This is a very demanding sport.
The 2010 Vancouver Paralympics Games promise to provide thrills to all of those who chose to attend. Will you be one of the lucky ones who do?
About the Author
Joe and Irma Mac Millan have enjoyed the Whistler Mountain and valley area of British Columbia for many years. They have camped, hiked and skied the mountains and fished and kayaked the rivers and lakes. Their website One couples guide to the exciting Whistler-outdoors is a must for anyone considering a trip to Whistler as well as the 2010 Vancouver Olympics. They invite one and all to take a look.
So just what are the games about?
What qualifies as a disability?
What sports may we expect?
Where will each sport venue be located?
Now take a look at these titles one by one to enable us to be better informed.
So just what are the games about?
The second world war had a profound effect on people of the world who lived through that terrible conflict. Millions of brave soldiers, sailors and airmen lost their lives in the quest to win freedom for the rest of us.
For every death, many more were wounded and a great number were disabled for life. Thousands were in wheelchairs. Countless numbers of these brave souls had lost limbs.
Sir Ludwig Guttmann was born in Poland in 1899. By 1939 he was a leading neurologist working at a Jewish hospital in the beautiful city of Breslau on the Oder river. He was forced to flee to England when the Germans invaded Poland.
He strongly believed that sport was a wonderful therapy for building physical strength and the well being of those who were severely injured. The British government founded the National Spinal Injuries Center in a city near London and asked him to be the director of the center.
He organized different games the disabled could play. Each year a few more athletes would enter the games by 1953 approximately 145 were entered.
The Olympics directors were beginning to take notice of these games and beginning in Rome in 1960 the Paralympics Games were held after the Olympic Games and it has been that way ever since. Guttmann was awarded the Order of the British Empire (OBE) and the Commander of the British Empire (CBE) for his outstanding leadership. The Paralympics Winter Games were first held in Sweden in 1976 and have been a regular feature of the Olympic games format since the 1992 games in Albertville.
What qualifies as a disability?
There are six basic groups within the Paralympics qualification movement. Those are spinal cord injuries, visual impairment, amputee, cerebral palsy, intellectual disability and another group with disabilities that are outside the box and do not fit into any other category.
Each sport has its own classification rules. Athletes are governed by officials know as classifiers who will observe the athletes both in and out of their sport. If an athlete improves, he/she may be reclassified up or down. The system continues to evolve and is always open to review.
What sports may we expect?
There are four sports competitions for the 2010 Vancouver winter Paralympics.
Alpine Skiing.
With the invention of the Mono Ski the sport has gained popularity very quickly. Now disabled skiers who cannot stand are able to sit and with the special short crutches with skis attached they are able to steer and keep their balance.
Cross Country
With the Paralympics Games held at Ornskoldsvik Sweden in 1976 the sport of cross country skiing got its start. At first only the classic form was permitted. Now some 30 years later many changes have taken place opening the door to a great number of skiers with a variety of disabilities. Wheelchair Curling
The sport had its beginning at the Paralympics Winter Games in Torino Italy. Played very similar to regular curling except the athletes sit in wheelchairs, either propel the stones with only arm action or use a pusher called a cue, down the ice to the concentric rings. The task of pushing the stone is more demanding than regular curling because the athletes must play while the chair is stationary.
Ice Sledge Hockey
The exciting sport of Ice Sledge Hockey had its introduction at the 1994 Paralympics Games in the beautiful town of Lillehammer, Norway. The sledge is usually made of aluminum with two steel blades. The players carry two double ended sticks. These have a pick on one end and a curved blade which they use to shoot the puck. The pick allows the player to gain traction to propel their sledge along the ice.
Biathlon Skiing and Shooting
The main difference between Olympic Biathlon and Paralympics Biathlon is the shooting position. It's always from the prone position in the latter sport. The categories are the same as in Cross Country Skiing. The equipment for those skiers who have no use of their legs use an apparatus called a Sit-ski. This is a very demanding sport.
The 2010 Vancouver Paralympics Games promise to provide thrills to all of those who chose to attend. Will you be one of the lucky ones who do?
About the Author
Joe and Irma Mac Millan have enjoyed the Whistler Mountain and valley area of British Columbia for many years. They have camped, hiked and skied the mountains and fished and kayaked the rivers and lakes. Their website One couples guide to the exciting Whistler-outdoors is a must for anyone considering a trip to Whistler as well as the 2010 Vancouver Olympics. They invite one and all to take a look.
Tuesday, September 22, 2009
2010 Winter Games by Sara j
The scenic and bustling city Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada is the proud host of the 2010 Winter Olympic Games. The International Winter Olympics Committee chooses Vancouver as host of the games in 2010 on April 23, 2005. Greater Vancouver, with a population of 2.1 million, is Canada's third largest urban area. Located in British Columbia, Canada's western-most province, the region covers nearly 2,900 square kilometres, bordered by the Pacific Ocean to the west, the U.S. border to the south, the valley of the Fraser River to the east and the Coastal Mountains to the north. Seattle, Washington is 226 km to the south, while Calgary, Alberta is 975 km to the east. Vancouver's ocean-side location gives it a mild climate year round. The Economist Intelligence Unit ranked Vancouver as the world's most liveable city in 2006. The Mercer Group's 2007 Quality of Living Survey ranked Vancouver third of 215 cities worldwide, and first in North America. The games will officially commence in February 12-28, 2010. The organizers of top-notch sporting events expect 80 countries and 5,500 athletes and coaches and sport officials to joint the highly anticipated event. Some 86 events comprising seven sports are also expected to be shown during the almost month long games. The Canadian Olympic Association chose Vancouver as the Canadian candidate city over Calgary, which sought to re-host the games and Quebec City, which had lost the 2002 Olympic bid in 1995. On the first round of voting on November 21, 1998, Vancouver-Whistler had 26 votes, Quebec City with 25 and Calgary 21. On December 3, 1998, the second and final round of voting occurred between the two leading contenders, which saw Vancouver win with 40 votes compared to Quebec City's 32. The win allowed Vancouver to prepare its bid and begin lobbying efforts internationally. Here are quick facts regarding the prestigious event: • Number of Olympic athletes and officials: 5,500 • Number of Paralympics athletes and officials: 1,350 • Countries participating in Olympic Winter Games: 80+ • Countries participating in Paralympics and Winter Games: 40+ • 2010 Olympic Winter Games events tickets available: 1.6 million • 2010 Paralympics Winter Games events tickets available: 250,000 • Estimated number of media representatives: 10,000 • Estimated number of Games volunteers: 25,000 To make the 2010 Winter Olympic exciting SEGA Corporation recently announced an exclusive partnership with International Sports Multimedia (ISM), the official licensee of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) to develop Vancouver 2010 - the Official Video Game of the Olympic Winter Games. Eurocom Entertainment Software is developing the game for PC, the Xbox 360® video game and entertainment system, and the PlayStation®3 computer entertainment system. Vancouver 2010 is an authentic simulation of a host of events from the upcoming Vancouver 2010 Olympic Winter Games, focusing on the adrenalin rush that comes from the extreme speed of winter sports. Including the all-new challenge mode, it will allow players to immerse themselves in the world's greatest sporting event like never before. In addition to the new challenge mode, Vancouver 2010 also offers revamped online game play and brand new control schemes new to an official video game of the Olympic Games. With this, Vancouver 2010 will be the new benchmark for the Olympic-themed videogames genre and truly allow gamers to experience the "Olympic Spirit". Vancouver 2010 for PC, Xbox 360, and PlayStation 3 is set for release in the winter of 2010. The opening and closing ceremonies for the Olympic Games will be held at BC Place. BC Place is an amazing inflated white dome stadium that can hold just over 59,000 people, and it is located in the downtown core. As the Host City for the 2010 Winter Games, Vancouver has been given an extraordinary opportunity to welcome the world to our city, and share with all that our city has to offer, including: spectacular, natural beauty, excellent sports and entertainment, innovative leadership in business, the environment and social issues, extraordinary community, cultural diversity, and commitment to excellence in accessibility. More information on 2010 Winter Olympics Tickets
About the Author
Sara is a creative writer and love to write on musical play, concerts and sports games. She is currently working for TicketLoot ( http://www.ticketloot.com ).
About the Author
Sara is a creative writer and love to write on musical play, concerts and sports games. She is currently working for TicketLoot ( http://www.ticketloot.com ).
Saturday, September 12, 2009
My 2010 Olympic Hockey Predictions by Greg LaForge
The 2010 Olympics in Vancouver are coming up. They are only a few months away. When they get here, the entire world will support their athletes.
Every hockey fan will also be supporting their country. Some are looking forward to the 2010 Olympics as an opportunity for a gold. Other countries can't wait until they're done.
Anyway, here are my predictions for who is going to win the medals.
There are a lot of good teams that are going to be competing in the tournament this winter. The biggest ones are Russia, Canada, Sweden, Finland and the Czech Republic. These are the teams that are probably going to win the top 5 spots.
You may notice that the United States is not on this list. They have a young team and will probably place in the lower half of the pack.
Of the 5 teams that I mentioned above I've got Canada winning the gold. Canada has a lot of all stars and is extremely prepared for the Olympics. They are going to take some of the hard lessons that they learned in the last tournament and use them this winter.
The silver medal will go to Russia. This year, Russia will be trying to win it's first gold since its days as the Soviet Union. However, I don't think that they have to defense to match up with Team Canada.
The bronze medal is going to be interesting. They're are a lot of good teams that are still in the tournament. Sweden, Finland, and the Czech Republic all have a good chance of winning the bronze medal.
However, my bet is going with Sweden. They have a lot of good players. In fact, they are pulling most of their talent from the Detroit Red Wings. Definitely not a bad team to pull a good portion of your Olympic team from.
Anyway, those are my predictions for the 2010 Olympic Hockey Tournament. Once again, there are a lot of teams that could place well, but the two teams that you will want to watch are Russia and Canada. Even though I have Canada winning the gold, there's a good chance that Russia will beat them.
About the Author
I am the owner of the blog tipsforhockey.com. You are invited to check out some of my articles. Aside from the blog I have articles that give hockey tips, help buying merchandise, and help finding autographs. Feel free to check it out.
Every hockey fan will also be supporting their country. Some are looking forward to the 2010 Olympics as an opportunity for a gold. Other countries can't wait until they're done.
Anyway, here are my predictions for who is going to win the medals.
There are a lot of good teams that are going to be competing in the tournament this winter. The biggest ones are Russia, Canada, Sweden, Finland and the Czech Republic. These are the teams that are probably going to win the top 5 spots.
You may notice that the United States is not on this list. They have a young team and will probably place in the lower half of the pack.
Of the 5 teams that I mentioned above I've got Canada winning the gold. Canada has a lot of all stars and is extremely prepared for the Olympics. They are going to take some of the hard lessons that they learned in the last tournament and use them this winter.
The silver medal will go to Russia. This year, Russia will be trying to win it's first gold since its days as the Soviet Union. However, I don't think that they have to defense to match up with Team Canada.
The bronze medal is going to be interesting. They're are a lot of good teams that are still in the tournament. Sweden, Finland, and the Czech Republic all have a good chance of winning the bronze medal.
However, my bet is going with Sweden. They have a lot of good players. In fact, they are pulling most of their talent from the Detroit Red Wings. Definitely not a bad team to pull a good portion of your Olympic team from.
Anyway, those are my predictions for the 2010 Olympic Hockey Tournament. Once again, there are a lot of teams that could place well, but the two teams that you will want to watch are Russia and Canada. Even though I have Canada winning the gold, there's a good chance that Russia will beat them.
About the Author
I am the owner of the blog tipsforhockey.com. You are invited to check out some of my articles. Aside from the blog I have articles that give hockey tips, help buying merchandise, and help finding autographs. Feel free to check it out.
Saturday, August 29, 2009
Where Can You Stay During the 2010 Vancouver Winter Olympics? by A. Nutt
The 2010 Vancouver Winter Olympics are going to be here in no time, so it is not too soon to start thinking about where to stay while in Vancouver. If you're one of those individuals fortunate enough to acquire tickets, it is time to start thinking about your accommodations. Your goal is to stay as close as possible to the venues that will be hosting the events that you're attending. Then again, you may wish to stay elsewhere because there are other attractions in Vancouver that you want to enjoy.
Whatever your reasons for wanting to stay in a specific area in Vancouver, you have to be aware of the accommodations that are available to you. First of all, you have to know that the exact area in which the 2010 Vancouver Winter Olympics is being held is the village of Whistler. It is the commercial center, which means it is going to have your largest concentration of restaurants and shops.
Other attractions
Whistler is also known for its skiing. Some say the lodging in this area is unattractive if you're staying in the village because you will still find yourself quite a distance away from the ski lifts. You're looking at a walk of around 10 minutes to the skiers plaza. Basically, this is definitely not a village for those looking for peace and quiet, especially with the Olympics going on. Nevertheless, there are accommodations in the Upper Village that allows easy access to the ski lifts and also offers up spectacular views.
You'll also find legendary night clubs. Really, you need to look at all of the attractions and determine what it is that is important to you. If you intent on hitting the night clubs every night, but you're only going to be attending a couple of Olympic events, you may want to ensure you stay near the clubs. This is especially true if alcohol is going to be involved. You may want to be able to take a short cab ride back to your hotel or be within walking distance.
Where to stay
As for your exact lodging options while attending the 2010 Vancouver Winter Olympics, there is a wide range of lodging options available in Whistler. You can visit a condo or a chalet if you don't want to stay in a hotel. These are great for the luxury traveler or those traveling in groups. You also have to take into consideration the length of your stay. Longer stays usually require a higher degree of comfort.
However, when it comes to hotels, you have many options available. This is a tourist town and it is going to be a hotspot when the 2010 Vancouver Winter Olympics roll around. You have your choice of 1 to 5 star hotels. Most will give you mountain views that are breathtaking. An example of a 5 star hotel that you may want to consider is the Fairmont Chateau. It is right in the heart of Whistler.
Just make sure that you check out the accommodations close to where you want to be in or outside of the village. Just keep in mind that you're going to get anything but peace and quiet during this time. This means you might as well live it up while you are there. There is going to be a lot of excitement in the air. You're going to experience excitement like you've never known. In all reality, the entire experience is not going to be like any you have ever had in your life. Actually, it's going to be much better.
About the Author
A recognized leader in sports travel and tours provides Winter Olympics packages and 2010 Winter Olympics hotels and accommodations, preferred seating and guaranteed tickets.
Whatever your reasons for wanting to stay in a specific area in Vancouver, you have to be aware of the accommodations that are available to you. First of all, you have to know that the exact area in which the 2010 Vancouver Winter Olympics is being held is the village of Whistler. It is the commercial center, which means it is going to have your largest concentration of restaurants and shops.
Other attractions
Whistler is also known for its skiing. Some say the lodging in this area is unattractive if you're staying in the village because you will still find yourself quite a distance away from the ski lifts. You're looking at a walk of around 10 minutes to the skiers plaza. Basically, this is definitely not a village for those looking for peace and quiet, especially with the Olympics going on. Nevertheless, there are accommodations in the Upper Village that allows easy access to the ski lifts and also offers up spectacular views.
You'll also find legendary night clubs. Really, you need to look at all of the attractions and determine what it is that is important to you. If you intent on hitting the night clubs every night, but you're only going to be attending a couple of Olympic events, you may want to ensure you stay near the clubs. This is especially true if alcohol is going to be involved. You may want to be able to take a short cab ride back to your hotel or be within walking distance.
Where to stay
As for your exact lodging options while attending the 2010 Vancouver Winter Olympics, there is a wide range of lodging options available in Whistler. You can visit a condo or a chalet if you don't want to stay in a hotel. These are great for the luxury traveler or those traveling in groups. You also have to take into consideration the length of your stay. Longer stays usually require a higher degree of comfort.
However, when it comes to hotels, you have many options available. This is a tourist town and it is going to be a hotspot when the 2010 Vancouver Winter Olympics roll around. You have your choice of 1 to 5 star hotels. Most will give you mountain views that are breathtaking. An example of a 5 star hotel that you may want to consider is the Fairmont Chateau. It is right in the heart of Whistler.
Just make sure that you check out the accommodations close to where you want to be in or outside of the village. Just keep in mind that you're going to get anything but peace and quiet during this time. This means you might as well live it up while you are there. There is going to be a lot of excitement in the air. You're going to experience excitement like you've never known. In all reality, the entire experience is not going to be like any you have ever had in your life. Actually, it's going to be much better.
About the Author
A recognized leader in sports travel and tours provides Winter Olympics packages and 2010 Winter Olympics hotels and accommodations, preferred seating and guaranteed tickets.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)