In honour of my last day of official unemployment, I rousted myself out of bed at 5:00am to go downtown with my roommate and partake in the festivities at GM Place. What a disappointment.
In my estimation the venue was probably 20% full by 7:00am – the designated start time, and might’ve made it to 50% by the end of it all. I do know that they never even managed to give away all of the little prepackaged breakfast-in-a-box’s that were to be given to the first “n” people inside GM Place. I must say though, seeing the TV footage now, the camera people did a fantastic job of shooting as if there were many, many more people there.
This doesn’t mean that the people inside GM Place weren’t totally enthusiastic about the event (except my roommate who is a staunch opposer of the games, and was hoping to cheer amidst everyone else’s tears). But after the announcement, the celebrations just fizzled. Some people went off to work for the day, others stayed and watched Spirit of the West (no official dance area was available to anyone who didn’t have seats on the floor), and a few others drove around town, but eventually dissipated through downtown. Robson Street looked like a ghost town.
I certainly hope that people will be a bit more enthusiastic once the actual games arrive. After the flop that was the “Rally on Robson” where there were so many people in such a small and poorly planned place you could hardly move, and now this GM Place Bid Day fiasco, I’m starting to have my doubts.
That’s all fine and well – but the event was technically “sold out” through Ticketmaster. So a bunch of people, knowing full well that they might not make it snagged tickets just to feel special? Or just couldn’t be bothered to give their tickets to someone who *could* use them? If I had paid $20 on ebay for tickets like some people did, I’d have been pissed.
well but people have to work.
there’s no way i can make it there in time to hear the announcement and then get to work on time – enthusiastic or not.
you’re right – the TV cameras did do a great job of making it look very crowded. I was impressed that everyone seemed to be in red and white clothes. Then again, all those empty seats were red, I suppose? Convenient. At least everyone looked a damn sight happier than the shots of people in Pyeongchang.
I was at the Rally on Robson – I thought it was a great time.
Ahh but they have the next 7 years to indoctrinate the city with their Olympic Fever(tm). Just think, half a generation of kids being raised for the sole purpose of helping 2 week tourists and evicting the majority of the downtown eastside. I hope they’re consulting the Expo ’86 planners on this one.