Diary of a 2010 Olympic Volunteer – 5th Installment

Monday January 25, 2010

NHL Superstars Kevin Lowe and Ryan Smith help carry the torch in Banff

Dear Diary,

According to Pat Stutz in Calgary, Olympic fever has infected Western Canada. The crowd cheered loudly as NHL superstars Kevin Lowe and Ryan Smith stick handled the torch on its way to Banff. The Travelocity Gnome also donned the boards for a few aerials at Sunshine. Now only 17 days until we celebrate the Olympic Torch in Anmore on February 11th - the route will be from the store at BuntzenLake entrance to AnmoreElementary School at an early 6:00 am.

Better not forget to register for the community breakfast afterwards at Anmore Elementary. It is free but you need to let them know you are coming. Also, Rick Webber of Fern Drive reminds commuters that Sunnyside will be closed from the store to Elementary Road between 5:45 and 7:00.

The volunteers received a great surprise last week. We were given passes to the dress rehearsal of the Opening Ceremonies. As well, we were permitted to buy a guest ticket for $50 a piece. When I stopped in Squamish to pick up the tickets for several Anmore volunteers there was another ‘sweet’ surprise waiting for us - three bottles of Jackson-Triggs 2010 Olympic wine. Hurrah!

The time will fly from here on in. This coming Saturday, I get to go with the rest of the International Client Services (ICS) Volunteer Supervisors to check out the Olympic Family Hotel venues - should be interesting! We’ve also been given a ‘heads up’ about security procedures in these venues. They sound very thorough.

Since my Smurf brigade pants are back, shortened by the tailor, I can wear my uniform for the first time, if I wish. I’ll probably wait until my first full shift on February 2nd though. I’ll also be giving my pass on the West Coast Express a test run to make sure there are no glitches.

Right now I’m exploring ways to make the Olympic Journey fun for the volunteers on my watch. The Secretariat has created a Games and Ice Breaker booklet with all kinds of team building exercises. As well, since we will be primarily working with the International Olympic Committee, their guests, and a number of prominent celebrities, I thought it might be fun to start a pen and paper scored game of ‘Spot the VIP’.

Excited Crowds celebrate the 2010 Olympic flame as it passes through Banff. Get ready Anmore!