Proof that Olympic organisers can't do right for wrong

IN the words of Jed Barlet, or should that be Aaron Sorkin, the monthly meeting of the Ignorant Tight-Ass Club will soon be held in Vancouver.

Olympic organisers are often and rightly criticised but if proof were ever needed that they can't do right for wrong, have a look at the website of the Right to Quiet Society - www.quiet.org.

Vanoc, the organisers of next year's Winter Olympics, want Canadians to make a noise wherever they are at 6pm on February 12th - to celebrate the ‘one year to go' anniversary to the Games.

"You can honk car horns in downtown Toronto or sound foghorns in Halifax, ring sleigh bells in Prince George, chant folkloric songs or dance to aboriginal drumming in St. John's," gushes a press release.

"Anything to show Canadians' pride as the Games draw near."

Olympic officials visualise a "wave of sound" rolling across Canada as the clock strikes six.

As ideas go, it's hardly inspired but it's hardly harmful either - unless you're an RtQer, as they probably dub themselves.

"If you want to have a good time and be in a good mood, why would that require to make noise?" whispered member Hans Schmid.

He is now planning a protest - hopefully it's a silent one.

 

James Toney is the Managing Editor of national press agency Sportsbeat and four-time shortlisted Sports Journalist of the Year.

 

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