Vancouver 2010, maybe not the best but nowhere near the worst
BEFORE departing for Vancouver the British Olympic Association kindly issued all travelling journalists with a snug fleece, perfect for chilly evenings up in the mountains.
FRENZIED: Canada discovered a love of winning at the Winter Olympics - but they didn't have much time for British journalists (Getty Images)
It was emblazoned with the words "Team GB Media". They would have been better off providing a flak jacket.
Criticism of Canada's Games from some members of Fleet Street's finest has prompted the normally welcoming locals to turn a little nasty.
Poet Shane Koyczan told an audience of billions during the opening ceremony that: ‘some say what defines us (Canadians) is something as simple as please and thank you'.
Colleagues refused drinks in bar - yes they were sober(ish) - or sniped at on buses, would probably beg to differ.
On more than one occasion I have feigned an Australian accent for fearing of being refused a taxi ride back to the hotel.
I even told a waitress I was from New Zealand, only for her to declare she'd lived there as a girl - a difficult and embarrassing exchange followed as I tried to bluff my way onto safer ground.
However, it pays to be thick-skinned in this business and maybe some of this abuse was just a little deserved, I've met some of those it was aimed at.
As a wise hack once told me: "In journalism you meet a lot of bastards. And nine times out of ten they are other journalists."
However, after more than three weeks in Vancouver, it's only now that the time is right to pass sensible and reflective judgement on these Olympics.
PARALYMPICS LONDON 2012: Our greatest of days witnessed through disbelieving eyes
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We were let down by Vanoc in
We were let down by Vanoc in some regards, the cauldron was a disgrace and the fan to fan ticket exchange legalized scalping.
On the fair base, I think it
On the fair base, I think it is just allright!
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vancouver not the worst
Total joke. These overpaid over entertained over priveleged journalists like the one here, had luxury, that approximately 95% of brits only dream about. Shangri La, Fairmont, Four Season, Hyatt, Marriott etc etc. Tickets for hockey changed hands at $4000, this soured journalist was mistakenly in my opinion given one. Shame!. Get the drift? This city is home to thousands of luxury hotel bedrooms. Sushi bento boxes for 6 quid. Parking in underground car parks for 7 pound. Yachts. 50 golf courses. 10000 sq ft homes by the thousands, Seaplanes, a young average aged population, and ski resorts to die for 90 minutes up the road. Yet look at this pathetic journalism. Is it the editors or the journalist who are so pathetic, i cant work out which is worse. Oh well i guess i'll go and play another round of golf in 55 farenheit in the winter at 20 quid. So long loser you totally misrepresented Vancouver. Don't come back.
Did you read the entire
Did you read the entire piece, the reporter wrote this, which I think is a pretty fair reflection on the job Vanoc did:
So thank you Canada, you should be proud of your performance, and maybe you did own the podium after all.
It's been a good Games, maybe not the best but certainly not anywhere near the worst.
I think you went on a bit of
I think you went on a bit of a rant there mr/mrs j devine, I actually lost your point.
I actually thought this was a very well reasoned article and you have to agree with some of the points. We (yes I do live in Vancouver) were let down by Vanoc in some regards, the cauldron was a disgrace and the fan to fan ticket exchange legalized scalping.
I don't think criticism is a bad thing, when it's fair and balanced, which I believe this report is.
I see you didn't mention the
I see you didn't mention the City Center Motor Hotel where you are more likely to get propositioned by a hooker than a butler, a far cry from Shangri La, Fairmont etc.
Got to agree about the lack
Got to agree about the lack of coverage in the newspapers Brekkie. In some it was reduced to just a column, 10 pages from the back. Others thought, including this website, have given the British and international athletes the coverage they deserve.
In the early days it's right
In the early days it's right questions were asked, but Vancouver more than pulled itself around - going from one of the worst opening ceremonies I can remember to one of the best closing ceremonies, whilst Vancouver put on a games which allowed the sport to shine - as that is what I'll remember Vancouver for.
As for the British Press - firstly congratulations to anyone who found something about the Winter Olympics amongst the dozens of pages of football in our papers, and secondly just how many of these journalists were actually out there and how many were writing these comments from their desks in Fleet Street.
The British press have never got behind the Olympics - summer or winter - anyway, so nothing to worry about.
A considered and fair
A considered and fair reflection. Some of the British media were too quick in slating the Games as 'the worst ever'. Yes, there have been mishaps (some bigger than others) and the luge death will forever cast a shadow - but there have also been some great stories that these Olympics will be remembered for.
The British press has been a
The British press has been a disgrace during these Games and I;m pleased you are ashamed to be one of their number, sorry comes to late im afraid
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