Friday, February 12, 2010

VANOC admits torch rules bent for Gov. Schwarzenegger; ducks explaining breaking rules for Premier Selinger

The Vancouver Olympic Organizing Committee was forced this week to justify allowing California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger to run with the Olympic Torch contrary to their rules. In the process, it has brought the torch run of Manitoba Premier Greg Selinger back under scrutiny.

"VANOC torch relay manuals obtained under Freedom of Information from the City of Vancouver say sitting politicians cannot participate in the relay." wrote 24Hours reporter Bob Mackin on Monday.

“This policy is not an IOC policy,” said International Olympic Committee president Jacques Rogge. “Who runs with the torch relay is a matter for the organizing committee.”

To many, the controversy revolved around the admitted past steroid use by the bodybuilder turned Republican politician, as the Games have long fought the scourge of tainted competition.

Scrambling to save face, John Furlong, the chief executive of Olympics organizing committee Vanoc, told Canwest "He has taken an extraordinary position on the environment and has developed a great relationship with the province of British Columbia."