Usually, when there are attempted boycotts of the Olympics, the major thrust of the criticim tends to be political in nature.
Leading up to - and during the Beijing games - there were a number of passionate outcries over Human Rights Violations, for instance (with one aspect of the protest focusing on oppression in Tibet).
Curiously, protests which have sprung up in Vancouver (B.C.) on the eve of the Winter Olympics, have sought to toss the glare of the spotlight on the cost of the games, value for the dollar, and corporate greed.
While my fellow Canucks tend to be a relatively peaceful lot (except for a little rough-housing that breaks out on Hockey Night in Canada) - when push comes to shove - residents of the great White North are capable of being quite the sh** disturbers, too (no problem!).
Even still, a cool reserve normally prevails.
A case in point?
Anti-Olympic protests are being organized for venues expected to attract heavy traffic in a low-key fashion without much fanfare or hysteria.
Politicans and business owners are expected to raise red flags over the exhorbitant costs, potential damage to the breathtaking Pacific Northwest territory, and traffic congestion that will take its toll during the two-week event (and the residual effects thereafter).
The goal, according to a resistance group rep, is to make it clear to the world (and to other residents in Canada) that the Olympics are not all they'e hyped up to be and to highlight the increasing number of Canadians who believe the games have a lot more of a negative impact than a positive one.
In response, Mary McNeil (Minister of the State for the olympics) noted that on the upside, there were undeniable benefits for Vancouver and that seizing the day (putting in a successful bid for the games) was a smart move.
"For us to be welcoming a quarter-of-a-million people to our lower mainland - that's very very exciting and is good for the economy."
In addition, McNeil pointed out that there were rewards not easily calculated in dollars and cents.
"There's also the other benefit,and that is having the athletes in the community, so your local athletes can see and aspire and be motivated."
The resistant group intend to kick-start the uprising with workshops on Wednesday and Thursday.
On the day of the Opening Ceremonies a - "Take back our City" - demonstration is slated with the specific aim of shaking up officials and athletes alike.
Meanwhile, the protests at Whistler - one of the most picturesque Olympic venues - will focus on the loss of trees and displaced wild life - arising from the construction of a four-lane highway installed to accommodate increased traffic flow to the mountain resort.
One Whistler resident put it quite succinctly.
"You grow up with the idea that the Olympics are a wonderful thing, you watch it on TV, and you think it's all about the athletes and the world coming together."
"But the reality is it's become more of a corporate creation whose primary motive is greed. And the people that need the most support are the people that get trampled on when things like big corporate sporting events come to town."
Whistler Ski Resort
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