by Lincoln Hay

Created on: August 24, 2010   Last Updated: August 26, 2010

When the Olympic Rings became a symbol of the Olympics in 1912, they stood for five inhabited continents: Africa, America, Asia, Europe and Oceania.  However, in recent history, they have morphed into 5 new rings, symbolizing pollution, greed, corruption, negligence and dissension.  These new age rings are manifested in the 2010 Vancouver Winter Games.

The first ring symbolizes pollution.  The games were boasted as being the “greenest games ever”, but as part of the original bid, the government of British Columbia authorized the upgrading of Highway 99 between Whistler and Vancouver in order to accommodate greater traffic loads that would be experienced during the games.  Environmentalists say it is not at all eco-friendly, especially at Eagleridge Bluffs. 

As well, the Richmond Olympic Oval for speed skating was going to use battery powered zambonis to resurface the ice.  But mechanical troubles persisted, delaying some races up to an hour, until standard natural gas powered ones were brought in.  Now this seem like any other Olympics in terms of eco-friendliness, and if anything, the increased amount of visitors to the Vancouver area increases pollution. 

More cars and busses on the road and more living spaces to heat results in more CO2 emissions released into the atmosphere, some of which is absorbed by the ocean, as Vancouver is a costal city.  This absorption is not much better than CO2 in the atmosphere, as it results in devastating effects to marine life.

The second ring is that of greed.  Ever since the 1984 games in Los Angeles, the Olympics have been synonymous with commercialization.  The International Olympic Committee, commonly referred to as the IOC, allowed sponsors to advertise, and the event once thought of as a worldwide multi-sport competition is now also thought of an advertising extravaganza.  You won’t see many lower middle-class to lower income Canadians at the games.  Along with travel costs, it is difficult to the games because the cost of tickets are ridiculously expensive, especially men’s hockey.  The range of price for a men’s hockey ticket is $332 to $734, and medal games are even pricier, some over $3000. 

With 3 major Canadian networks broadcasting the Olympics, CTV, TSN and Sportsnet, it’s way cheaper to stay home plus, you get extensive coverage of many events.  However, some Vancouver residents cannot choose

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